Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130005514 | TRIGGERLESS HANDLE MECHANISM AND SHOCK ABSORBING ELEMENTS FOR BASKETBALL SYSTEM - In one example, a basketball system includes a backboard to which a goal is configured to be attached, a support structure, a connecting structure configured to connect the backboard to the support structure, a lockable height adjustment mechanism operably disposed with respect to the backboard, and a means for absorbing shock. When the height adjustment mechanism is locked, the means for absorbing shock enables temporary displacement of the backboard in response to imposition of a load or force on the backboard if the imposed load or force exceeds a threshold load or force, respectively. | 01-03-2013 |
20130017743 | PADDLEBOARD - In one example, a board suitable for use in water sports includes a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The board also includes a retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body. | 01-17-2013 |
20150246712 | WATERCRAFT WITH RETRACTABLE FIN - In one example, a board includes a body having a single piece structure, the body including an upper surface that defines a deck, and a lower surface. The board also includes first and second retractable fins, where the first retractable fin is rotatably connected directly to the body at a first fixed location on the body such that the first retractable fin is rotatable about the first fixed location between an extended position and a retracted position, and the first retractable fin including an engagement portion that is engageable with a first portion of the body and with a second portion of the body. The first retractable fin assumes the extended position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the first portion of the body, and the first retractable fin assumes the retracted position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the second portion of the body. | 09-03-2015 |
20150367213 | FOOT OPERATED HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR A BASKETBALL SYSTEM - In one example, a basketball system includes a basketball goal, a support structure, a connecting structure connected to the basketball goal and the support structure, and a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism includes a biasing mechanism operably connected to the connecting structure and the basketball goal, and also includes a locking member. An adjustment member of the height adjustment mechanism is engaged with the locking member and is movable relative to the locking member. The adjustment member is also connected to the connecting structure so that the adjustment member and connecting structure are operable to move in unison with each other. Finally, a foot actuator of the height adjustment mechanism is connected to the adjustment member and is operable to releasably engage the locking member. | 12-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080238050 | Airbag tether cutter and vent closer - Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for cutting one or more tethers connected with an airbag cushion and simultaneously, or sequentially, closing one or more vent openings. In one embodiment, an airbag module is provided that includes a tether opening and at least one vent opening. The tether may extend through the tether opening adjacent to a cutter. The cutter may be configured to cut the tether upon deployment of an actuator. A vent door configured to block the vent opening(s) upon deployment of the actuator may also be provided. This embodiment may therefore provided for simultaneous, or sequential, cutting of the tether and closing of the vent opening(s) with a single actuator. | 10-02-2008 |
20080238062 | Airbag with automatic vent closer - Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for automatically closing a vent opening in response to inflation of an airbag cushion. In some embodiments, primary and secondary tethers are provided, both of which are coupled to an airbag cushion. The primary tether may be used to restrain the inflation size of the airbag cushion during a partial deployment. A tether cutter may also be provided to cut the primary tether upon detecting a condition that would warrant full deployment of the airbag cushion. The secondary tether may be configured to at least partially close one or more vent openings in response to the airbag cushion being inflated to a fully-inflated configuration after the primary tether has been cut. | 10-02-2008 |
20090045612 | Flameless method to open a cold gas inflator burst disk - An inflator including a chamber that houses a quantity of inflation gas. The chamber is sealed by a burst disk. A punch is also added. The punch is positioned proximate the burst disk. An initiator is also added to the inflator. The initiator includes a cylinder storing a quantity of ignitable material. The cylinder also includes a folded wall with a closed end, wherein upon ignition of the ignitable material, the folded wall unfolds causing the punch to fail the burst disk. The inflator may also be designed such that the folded wall and the closed end retain all of the products formed by ignition of the ignitable material within the cylinder. The inflator may also be designed such that actuation of the initiator does not cause a flash. | 02-19-2009 |
20090189373 | Steering Apparatus - The improved steering apparatus is an invention that increases vehicular operational safety by providing means for a vehicle operator to control various vehicle functions and accessories while keeping both hands on the steering apparatus. The apparatus also automatically provides for the display of a variety of driver relevant information including automatic live video (160) feed of blind spots, rear vehicle cabin area, and road sign information ( | 07-30-2009 |
20100122735 | ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATED VENT VALVE - A relief valve and related systems and methods have particular use in fluid distribution lines. The relief valve comprises a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity. A connector piece is connected to the body at the first opening to connect the valve to a fluid distribution line. A rupture disc is disposed within and obstructs the first opening. When it is desired that fluid from the fluid distribution line be vented from the system, the rupture disc is punctured via activation of an active material initiator and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening of the valve. | 05-20-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120040428 | PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING OF LIPIDS FROM ALGAE WITHOUT CELL SACRIFICE - A system and method are disclosed for extracting lipids from algal cells. In the method, lipids are extracted from algal cells by exposing the algal cells in an aqueous medium to an electric field sufficient to cause release of lipids from said cells. In the system, an electric field is formed between two electrodes connected with an electrical power supply and configured such that during use an aqueous medium containing the algal cells passes between the electrodes to extract lipids therefrom. | 02-16-2012 |
20120129244 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DEWATERING, FLOCCULATING AND HARVESTING ALGAE CELLS - Described herein are systems, methods and apparatuses, for dewatering, flocculating and harvesting microorganisms. In various implementations, at least one intracellular product from the microorganisms is recovered and processed according to methods disclosed herein. In some implementations, an electromagnetic field is applied to an aqueous suspension of microorganisms thereby causing flocculation of the microorganisms. In various implementations, the microorganisms are harvested, such as by causing the microorganisms to flocculate and sink to the bottom of a container. Alternatively, the microorganisms are caused to flocculate and float to the surface of the aqueous medium where they can be recovered by skimming. In other implementations, the microorganisms are lysed as they are passed through a second electromagnetic field to release intracellular products, among other desired components of the microorganisms. In some implementations, the intracellular contents of the microorganisms, as well as cellular mass and debris, are recovered and utilized as useful products. | 05-24-2012 |
20130164812 | Systems and Methods for Increasing Growth of Biomass Feedstocks - Methods and systems for developing and bio-refining or processing biomass feedstocks into a spectrum of bio-based products which can be used as a substitute for fossil oil derivatives in various types of product manufacturing processes and/or the production of bio-energy are disclosed. In addition, methods and systems for identifying, measuring and controlling key parameters in relation to specific biomass developing processes and bio-refining processes so as to maximize the efficiency and efficacy of such processes while standardizing the underlying parameters to facilitate and enhance large-scale production of bio-based products and/or bio-energy are disclosed. | 06-27-2013 |
20130211113 | Systems and Methods for Extracting Non-Polar Lipids from an Aqueous Algae Slurry and Lipids Produced Therefrom - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for extracting non-polar lipids from microalgae are achieved using a lipid extraction device having an anode and a cathode that forms a channel and defines a fluid flow path through which an aqueous slurry is passed. An electromotive force is applied across the channel at a gap distance in a range from 0.5 mm to 200 mm to cause the non-polar lipids to be released from the algae cells. The non-polar lipids can be extracted at a high throughput rate and with low concentrations of polar lipids such as phospholipids and chlorophyll. | 08-15-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090152007 | OPTIMIZING DRILLING PERFORMANCE USING A SELECTED DRILLING FLUID - To improve drilling performance, a drilling fluid is selected based on one or more criteria and to have at least one target characteristic. Drilling equipment is used to drill a wellbore, and the selected drilling fluid is provided into the wellbore during drilling with the drilling equipment. The at least one target characteristic of the drilling fluid includes an ability of the drilling fluid to penetrate into formation cuttings during drilling to weaken the formation cuttings. | 06-18-2009 |
20090260415 | APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS MEASUREMENT OF HETEROGENEITY OF GEOMATERIALS - An apparatus for continuous measurement of a geomaterial is disclosed. The apparatus includes a measuring device and a flat bed operatively coupled to the measuring device. The measuring device includes a moving head configured to move in a longitudinal direction relative to a core section of the geomaterial and a first probe coupled to the moving head and configured to continuously measure a property of the core section. The flat bed includes a load actuator configured to secure the core section during the continuous measurement and axially rotate the core section, as well as a core holder assembly configured to apply confining pressure on a length of the core section. | 10-22-2009 |
20090260883 | CONTINUOUS MEASUREMENT OF HETEROGENEITY OF GEOMATERIALS - A method for continuous measurement of heterogeneity of geomaterials. The method includes identifying a core section from a first well within a field, obtaining the core section from the first well, and obtaining a continuous measurement of the core section. The method further includes overlaying the continuous measurement with a portion of a log response for the first well to obtain an overlay, associating an observation with the overlay to obtain an integrated overlay, and analyzing the integrated overlay to determine a heterogeneity of the core section. The method further includes identifying a location in the core section from which to obtain a sample based on the heterogeneity, obtaining the sample from the core section, and analyzing the sample to obtain an analysis result. The method further includes developing a continuous model for the first well using the integrated overlay and the analysis result and presenting the continuous model. | 10-22-2009 |
20150362419 | APPARATUS AND METHODOLOGY FOR MEASURING PROPERTIES OF MICROPOROUS MATERIAL AT MULTIPLE SCALES - A test apparatus (and method of operation) for characterizing properties of a sample under test (such as porous material, for example, samples of reservoir rock) that operates in conjunction with a source of test fluid. The test apparatus includes an intake valve fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid, a reference cell fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid via the intake valve, a sample cell that holds the sample under test, an isolation valve fluidly coupled between the reference cell and the sample cell, an exhaust port, an exhaust valve fluidly coupled between the sample cell and the exhaust port, a first pressure sensor associated with the reference cell for measuring pressure within the reference cell, and a second pressure sensor associated with the sample cell for measuring pressure within the sample cell. The method of operation includes calibration procedures to compensate for systematic measurement errors. | 12-17-2015 |
20150369718 | APPARATUS AND METHODOLOGY FOR MEASURING PROPERTIES OF MICROPOROUS MATERIAL AT MULTIPLE SCALES - A method for characterizing properties of a manufactured rock sample that employs first and second test apparatus. The first test apparatus includes a sample holder and associated pressure sensors, wherein the sample holder allows for a pulse of test fluid to flow through the sample, and the pressure sensors measure pressure upstream and downstream of the sample as the pulse of test fluid flows through the sample. The second test apparatus includes a sample cell and associated pressure sensor, wherein the sample cell has a configuration where the sample cell is isolated and filled with test fluid under pressure and the pressure sensor measures pressure of the isolated sample cell. The first and second test apparatus are used to measure bulk properties of the sample. The sample is partitioned into pieces, and the second test apparatus is used to measure properties for different size-groups of such sample pieces. | 12-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090234718 | PREDICTIVE SERVICE SYSTEMS USING EMOTION DETECTION - A predictive service system can include a gathering service to gather user information, a semantic service to generate a semantic abstract for the user information, an emotion detection service to identify emotion-related information, and a predictive service to act on an actionable item that is created based on the user information, the semantic abstract, and the emotion-related information. | 09-17-2009 |
20100122312 | PREDICTIVE SERVICE SYSTEMS - A predictive service system can include a gathering service to gather user information, a semantic service to generate a semantic abstract for the user information, a policy service to enforce a policy, and a predictive service to act on an actionable item that is created based on the user information, the semantic abstract, and the policy. The system can also include an analysis module to create the actionable item and send it to the predictive service. The system can also include an identity service to create a crafted identity for the user. | 05-13-2010 |
20100169314 | CONTENT ANALYSIS AND CORRELATION - A content analysis and correlation service system can include a summary manager service for generating content correlation summaries, wherein the generated content correlation summaries are based on discovered content and analyzed content based on the discovered content. The system can include a content search manager service for generating the discovered content based on search criteria and correlation criteria and a semantic analysis service for generating the analyzed content based on the discovered content. The system can also include a data store for storing the generated content correlation summaries and a notification service for providing notifications based on the generated content correlation summaries. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169315 | ATTRIBUTION ANALYSIS AND CORRELATION - An attribution analysis and correlation system can include a content manager and a semantic correlation module. The content manager can receive a list identifying at least one contributor to be evaluated. The content manager can also mine at least one community for content pertaining to the contributor(s). The semantic correlation module can generate correlation results by performing a semantic analysis and correlation on the persistent content and attributions corresponding to the contributor(s). | 07-01-2010 |
20100169337 | IDENTITY ANALYSIS AND CORRELATION - An identity analysis and correlation service system can include a summary manager service for generating identity correlation summaries pertaining to a persona, wherein the generated identity correlation summaries are based on discovered content corresponding to the persona and analyzed content corresponding to the discovered content. The system can include a content search manager service for generating the discovered content based on search criteria and a semantic analysis service for generating the analyzed content. The system can also include a data store for storing the generated identity correlation summaries and a notification service for providing a notification based on the generated identity correlation summaries. | 07-01-2010 |
20110007887 | CONTEXTUAL PHONE NUMBER VALIDATION - A validation service offers the ability to validate a telephone conference. The validation service can verify that a telephone number and a pass code can be used to access the telephone conference at the time the telephone conference is scheduled. The validation service can also inform users about changes to the scheduled telephone conference, and provide alternative telephone numbers that can be used to access the telephone conference. | 01-13-2011 |
20140095865 | EXCHANGE OF DIGITAL CERTIFICATES IN A CLIENT-PROXY-SERVER NETWORK CONFIGURATION - Various techniques are described to authenticate the identity of a proxy in a client-proxy-server configuration. The configuration may have a client-side and a server-side SSL session. In the server-side session, if the proxy has access to the private keys of the client, the proxy may select a client certificate from a collection of client certificates and send the selected certificate to the server to satisfy a client authentication request of the server. If the proxy does not have access to the private keys, the proxy may instead send an emulated client certificate to the server. Further, the client certificate received from the client may be embedded within the emulated client certificate so as to allow the server to directly authenticate the client, in addition to the proxy. An emulated client certificate chain may be formed instead of an emulated client certificate. Similar techniques may be applied to the client-side session. | 04-03-2014 |