Abstract: A system for mineralizing distilled water includes a splitter for splitting distilled water into primary and secondary portions; first and second conduits for conveying the primary and second portions, respectively; first and second columns comprising including first and second mineral matrices connected to the first and second conduits, respectively, to generate first and second mineralizing concentrate solutions; first and second mixing modules for combining a predefined amount of the mineralizing concentrate solutions with the primary portion of distilled water to form a mineralized water mixture; and a dispensing module for dispensing the mineralizing water mixture. A carbonator is also connected to the secondary conduit for dissolving carbon dioxide in the secondary portion of distilled water upstream of the first and second columns.

Abstract: Navigating to a data preparation context is disclosed. A set of data preparation operations is performed on one or more data sets to generate a set of answer sets in a first application. A final answer set in the set of answer sets is provided to a second application. In response to a user specification of a source-related query, a reference associated with the source-related query is obtained. A corresponding subset of the set of answer sets associated with one or more corresponding or relevant data preparation operations is determined according to the obtained reference. The corresponding subset of the set of answer sets associated with the one or more data preparation operations are presented in the first application according to the obtained reference.

Abstract: Navigating to a data preparation context is disclosed. A set of data preparation operations is performed on one or more data sets to generate a set of answer sets in a first application. A final answer set in the set of answer sets is provided to a second application. In response to a user specification of a source-related query, a reference associated with the source-related query is obtained. A corresponding subset of the set of answer sets associated with one or more corresponding or relevant data preparation operations is determined according to the obtained reference. The corresponding subset of the set of answer sets associated with the one or more data preparation operations are presented in the first application according to the obtained reference.

Abstract: Navigating to a data preparation context is disclosed. A set of data preparation operations is performed on one or more data sets to generate a set of answer sets in a first application. A final answer set in the set of answer sets is provided to a second application. In response to a user specification of a source-related query, a reference associated with the source-related query is obtained. A corresponding subset of the set of answer sets associated with one or more corresponding or relevant data preparation operations is determined according to the obtained reference. The corresponding subset of the set of answer sets associated with the one or more data preparation operations are presented in the first application according to the obtained reference.

Abstract: A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.

Abstract: A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.

Abstract: A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.

Abstract: A drive shaft system (100) comprising a shaft (80) connected to a motor via a coupling (50) and arranged to transmit a rotary movement from the motor to the rotor, at least two supports (65,75) arranged to position the shaft within a shaft housing (90), each support comprising at least one bearing (95,98), and at least one forcing element (135,145) arranged to force at least one of the supports against either an inner side of the shaft housing or an outer side of the shaft (80); such as to prevent turning and radial movements of the supports within the shaft housing while enabling axial movement of the shaft within the shaft housing. The bearings may be forced at either their inner or outer rings, and may be enclosed in a bearing housing (120) for protection and stiffness.

Abstract: A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.

Abstract: A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.

Abstract: Locally backwashing portions of filter media allows a simple and effective design of intake and pretreatment units, as well as their integration. An enclosure is used to limit portions of filter media and backwash them locally by suction, utilizing filtered water from adjacent filter media as the back wash water. Wastewater is produced at small amounts that allows efficient sludge treatment. This design enables water pretreatment at the intake unit, simplifying overall plant design and preventing damage to organisms living outside the intake unit.

Abstract: A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.

Abstract: A drive shaft system (100) comprising a shaft (80) connected to a motor via a coupling (50) 65 and arranged to transmit a rotary movement from the motor to the rotor, at least two supports (65,75) arranged to position the shaft within a shaft housing (90), each support comprising at least one bearing (95,98), and at least one forcing element (135,145) arranged to force at least one of the supports against either an inner side of the shaft housing or an outer side of the shaft (80); such as to prevent turning and radial movements of the supports within the shaft housing while enabling axial movement of the shaft within the shaft housing. The bearings may be forced at either their inner or outer rings, and may be enclosed in a bearing housing (120) for protection and stiffness.

Abstract: An evaporator having more efficient heat transfer tubes, that are either or both coated and vertically corrugated. The coating, though reducing the heat transfer co-efficient, lengthens the time between cleaning treatment to increase the overall efficiency of the evaporator. The corrugation of the tubes controls the film characteristics and enhances evaporation from the film upon condensation of vapor within the tubes. The corrugation profile is selected to enhance waviness and turbulence of the films and thereby increase evaporation and condensation and hence the effectivity of the evaporator.

Abstract: It is provided a super territorial service center for allocating orders for payable back travels to location-related service providers traveling outside their respective local territories The service center receives service orders, receives data associated with location and availability of the service providers, and allocates service orders to service providers The service orders include service times, pick-up locations, and destinations in local territories different from the pick-up location The service center includes an order interface, a service provider interface and an allocating unit The order interface receives service orders from clients using the internet, telephony system, cellular networks, and indirectly through local dispatchers The service provider interface receives the data associated with location and availability of the service providers The allocating module searches appropriate service provider in a gradually increasing zone around the pick-up location, searches appropriate service provi

Abstract: An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may be used with two long interdermal needles configured for insertion underneath skin close to margins of a skin defect. The skin closing apparatus may include two retaining members (70, 71) configured as a flange connecting two legs (20) and forming a U-shaped profile. Each of the legs may include either a sharp book (23) or a blunt skin insertion element at the end of the leg adapted for percing the skin and engaging one of the long interdermal needles. Alternatively, the retaining members may include topical engagement elements for engaging portions of the interdermal needles which are located above the skin surface. A contracting mechanism such as a screw (82) may connect the retaining members and approximate the interdermal needles, while bringing the skin margins together until final closure of the skin defect results.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may be used with two long interdermal needles configured for insertion underneath skin close to margins of a skin defect. The skin closing apparatus may include two U-shaped retaining members configured as a flange connecting two legs and forming a U-shaped profile. Each of the legs may include a sharp hook at the end of the leg adapted for piercing the skin and engaging one of the long interdermal needles. Each retaining member may include a pivoting platform that pivots up to 20.degree. from an initial position indicated by a detent mechanism. A contracting mechanism such as a screw may connect the retaining members and approximate the interdermal needles, while bringing the skin margins together until final closure of the skin defect results. The skin closing apparatus may also include a clutch mechanism configured to disengage the screw from a knob or handle, when a predetermined force is met or exceeded.

Abstract: A machine is designed for trussing-up flesh and/or skin over a bone or a bone stump.The machine comprises an axially aligned set of a pusher device (11), a holder device (9) and movable jaws forming a cone (44).The machine is adapted for the industrial preparation of ready-to-cook chicken wings.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may include two long pins for insertion underneath the skin close to the margins of the defect. Two U-shaped members may also be provided. Each U-shaped member may include a sharp hook at the end of each leg adapted to pierce the skin and to engage one pin each in two places. A contracting screw may connect the two members and approximate the pins and the skin margins until final closure of the defect. A parallel alignment mechanism may also be provided to maintain the U-shaped members in parallel alignment.