Abstract: A process for recovery of lithium ions from a lithium-bearing brine includes contacting the lithium-bearing brine with a lithium ion sieve (where that LIS includes an oxide of titanium or niobium) in a first stirred reactor to form a lithium ion complex with the lithium ion sieve, and decomplexing the lithium ion from the lithium ion sieve in a second stirred reactor to form the lithium ion sieve and an acidic lithium salt eluate.

Abstract: A grey water heat recovery apparatus has first and second passes arranged in counter-flow orientation. The heat recovery apparatus is made from commonly available materials. It has a hot side for grey water, and a cold side for fresh water under pressure. The heat recovery apparatus extracts heat from grey water to pre-heat water for a water heater. The fresh water is carried in passes in series, each pass being immersed in a grey water sump in a plastic pipe. The water level in the sump is high enough to immerse the dominant portion of the fresh water pass in grey water. Both ends of the fresh water coil are carried out through the same upper end pipe closure, without a penetration in the pipe wall. The entire assembly may be enclosed in a unitary external housing with easily accessible connection fittings.

Abstract: A method at a user equipment to facilitate activation and splitting of data billing between at least two parties, the method including starting, at the user equipment, a virtual subscriber identity module platform (‘VSP’) service on the user equipment; verifying VSP configuration information with a network server; upon verification, starting a data networking access point name (‘APN’) based on the configuration information on the user equipment; and setting a status indicator on the user equipment to indicate the VSP service is enabled.

Abstract: A light-concentrating lens assembly for a solar energy system, the assembly comprising a primary off-axis quarter-section parabolic reflector for reflecting incident light, a secondary off-axis quarter-section parabolic reflector for receiving light reflected from the primary off-axis quarter-section parabolic reflector, a compound paraboloid concentrator (CPC) for receiving light reflected from the secondary off-axis quarter-section parabolic reflector and a housing for holding the primary and secondary off-axis parabolic reflectors as well as the CPC.

Abstract: A sound masking system for shaping the ambient noise level in a physical environment. The sound masking system comprises a networked and distributed system having a number of master units coupled together and to a control unit. One or more of the master units may include satellite sound masking units which function to reproduce the sound masking signal generated by the master sound masking unit. Each of the master units is addressable over the network by the control unit enabling the control unit to program the contour, spectral band, and gain characteristics of the sound masking output signal. The system may also include a remote control unit which provides the capability to tune and adjust each master sound masking unit in situ without requiring physical access through the ceiling installation.

Abstract: The coupler is mounted on the end of the boom of a boom-tractor, and provides secure locking-in of a bucket. The coupler having been set to its latched-open condition, the tractor is driven to the bucket so that a bottom-lug of the bucket enters the coupler, whereupon the bucket is picked up and is automatically securely locked into coupler, without any manipulation of the coupler being required of the tractor-driver other than manipulation of the boom. For setting the bucket down on the ground, after use, the driver manually pulls out a slider of the coupler. That action sets the coupler into its slider-held condition, whereby when the tractor is driven away from the bucket, the coupler is automatically left set in the said latched-open condition.

Abstract: The system includes support sections and locking clips. Each support section has an L-shaped base portion, a back portion, and a flange for insertion into a slot in a track around the pool. so that when the track flange is inserted in the slot, part of the base portion extends down near the pool wall, part of the base portion extends away from the pool wall to a distal end, the back portion being attached to the distal end, the back portion extends above the track, and the locking hole is proximate to the slot. Each locking clip has a protrusion sized and configured to extend through the locking hole in the support section and into the slot in the track so that the clip abuts and supports the support section and is locked into place by a friction fit between the protrusion and the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying stickers to lumber stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a sound masking component or device to an existing electronic component, appliance, or a furnishing installed or located in a hotel room or other interior space. According to an embodiment, the existing electronic component or appliance comprises a television set. The television set includes a pre-existing mounting mechanism for attaching a television wall-mounting bracket. The sound masking component further includes a mounting bracket wherein the mounting bracket is configured to be secured to the pre-existing mounting mechanism on the television set. According to another embodiment, the sound masking component is mounted internally inside the television set and configured to receive power from the television power supply and emit a sound masking signal utilizing a television speaker or a separate sound masking speaker.

Abstract: A patient lifting device includes an infection control lift strap with an inner core and an outer plastic layer that can be easily and effectively cleaned with standard disinfectant. The lift strap includes a waterproof sealed belt clamp assembly. A winch assembly includes a motor and high-efficiency gear assembly that lifts and lowers the strap with a spool assembly including an eccentric cylindrical spool. The eccentric cylindrical spool eliminates inconsistent performance of the lifting device as the strap drapes and coils onto the spool without raised attachment points. The strap includes top and bottom layers with different coefficients of friction to prevent slipping and self-tightening of the strap on the spool. The lifting device includes a thickness roller, a strap guard, and an electro-mechanical brake that locks the motor and prevents back driving. The gear assembly provides back driving when power is removed and the brake is released.

Abstract: Cleaning the inside surfaces of tubes in a cracking furnace, or other type of structure with tubes, is very difficult and time consuming. An acoustic energy cleaning apparatus is provided that is clamped onto a tube, and a liquid solvent is filled within the tube. The cleaning apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer that causes cavitation of the liquid inside the tube, which dislodges material build-up. The apparatus also includes a rigid seal cover that encompasses a lower portion of a transducer housing, and an annular resilient seal positioned within and below the seal cover. The apparatus also includes an injection hole that fluidly connects a space, defined at least by the annular resilient seal and a bottom surface of the acoustic transducer, to an external environment. A user injects gel into the injection hole.

Abstract: A system and mechanism for monitoring and/or controlling a sound masking system from a computer aided design drawing. According to an embodiment, the system is configured to allow an operator to “click” sound masking components on the design drawing and view operating/configuration settings, and/or edit, change or modify the operating/configuration settings, which are then applied via an interface to the associated physical sound masking component in the sound masking system. According to another embodiment, the system is configured to allow an operator to design or configure sound masking components on a design drawing. The sound masking components correspond to physical sound masking components in a sound masking system and comprise one or more active sound masking elements, which are configured to be responsive to an input and allow an operator to monitor, change and/or modify operating/configuration settings for physical sound masking component via the sound masking element in the design drawing.

Abstract: A measuring instrument for detection of electrical properties in a liquid includes a main body configured to hold a tester, a first pole extending from the main body, and a second pole extending from the main body that is spaced apart from the first pole. The first pole carries a positive probe for attachment to the tester, and the second pole carries a negative probe for attachment to the tester. When the probes are placed in the liquid, electrical properties in the liquid are detected by the tester.

Abstract: A multi phase soft gelatin dosage form comprising at least one preformed solid dosage form and at least one liquid fill phase. The multi phase soft gelatin dosage forms of the present invention are especially useful to combine at least one solid dosage form and at least one liquid phase for single ingestion. Method and apparatus for manufacturing the multiphase soft gelatin dosage forms are also described. The solid phase, liquid phase or coatings may comprise active pharmaceutical ingredients, nutraceuticals, nutritional supplements, therapeutic substances, functional excipients or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A rock bolting system rock bolting system comprising a frame supporting a movable bolter feed rail, a bolter feed slidable on the bolter feed rail, the bolter feed having a bolt driver for driving a rock bolt into a drilled hole in a rock face, a plate magazine for storing a plurality of bolt plates, and a plate holder for holding a plate to enable the plate to function as a centralizer to centralize the bolt.

Abstract: The coupler is mounted on the end of the boom of a boom-tractor, and provides secure locking-in of a bucket. The coupler having been set to its latched-open condition, the tractor is driven to the bucket so that a bottom-lug of the bucket enters the coupler, whereupon the bucket is picked up and is automatically securely locked into coupler, without any manipulation of the coupler being required of the tractor-driver other than manipulation of the boom. For setting the bucket down on the ground, after use, the driver manually pulls out a slider of the coupler. That action sets the coupler into its slider-held condition, whereby when the tractor is driven away from the bucket, the coupler is automatically left set in the said latched-open condition.

Abstract: A light-concentrating lens assembly for a solar energy system, the assembly comprising a plurality of concentrically arranged paraboloid mirror reflectors, a conical light guide extending below the plurality of paraboloid mirror reflectors, an inner central cone disposed along a central axis of the concentrically arranged paraboloid mirror reflectors, and a compound paraboloid concentrator disposed beneath the inner central cone.

Abstract: The coupler is mounted on the end of the boom of a boom-tractor, and provides secure locking-in of a bucket. The coupler having been set to its latched-open condition, the tractor is driven to the bucket so that the bottom-lug of the bucket enters the coupler, whereupon the bucket is picked up and is automatically securely locked into coupler, without and manipulation of the coupler being required of the tractor-driver other than manipulation of the boom. For setting the bucket down on the ground, after use, the driver manually pulls out a slider of the coupler. That action sets the coupler into its slider-held condition, whereby when the tractor is driven away from the bucket, the coupler is automatically left set in the said latched-open condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying stickers to lumber stack.