Abstract: This invention describes ways of obtaining nano-particulated adjuvants formed by different synthetic variants of GM3 ganglioside. Depending on the fine structure of the fatty acid in the ceramide of the synthetic GM3, said adjuvants are able to stimulate specifically and in a specialized way the humoral or cellular immune response against accompanying antigens. Particularly, this invention provides immunogenic vaccine compositions that comprise peptides, polypeptides or proteins and the aforementioned nanoparticles, which are formed through the dispersion of hydrophobic proteins of the outer membrane complex (OMC) of Neisseria meningitidis in solutions containing fully synthetic variants of the GM3 ganglioside.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque; an impeller non-rotatably connected to the front cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller; a lock-up clutch having a piston and a seal plate disposed axially between the piston and the turbine. The torque converter further includes a flow plate non-rotatably connected to the front cover, and a backing plate sealed to the piston and disposed axially between the flow plate and the seal plate. A through-bore extends axially through the backing plate and the flow plate. The flow plate is welded to the backing plate around the through-bore. A first chamber is bounded at least in part by the piston, the seal plate, and the backing plate, and a second chamber is bounded at least in part by the front cover, the piston, the backing plate, and the flow plate.

Abstract: A method of making a spray-dried laundry detergent particle, wherein the method includes the steps: (a) forming an aqueous laundry detergent slurry, wherein the slurry includes: (i) from 1 wt% to 40 wt% anionic detersive surfactant; (ii) from 0.1 wt% to 3.5 wt% polyepoxy succinic acid polymer; and (iii) from 10 wt% to 80 wt% water, and (b) spray drying the slurry formed in step (a) to form a spray-dried laundry detergent particle.

Abstract: A continuous induction heat treating apparatus is provided including a conveyor path defining an axis for a workpiece to be conveyed through the apparatus. The apparatus includes an induction heating station positioned along the conveyor path and operable to induce heating in the workpiece as the workpiece is conveyed through the induction heating station. A quenching station is positioned in a downstream direction from the induction heating station. The quenching station is coupled to a water supply and includes a plurality of sprayers in fluid communication with the water supply and operable to spray water toward the axis for quenching the workpiece as the workpiece is conveyed through the quenching station. The apparatus further includes a quench adjustment mechanism including an actuator coupled to at least a first one of the plurality of sprayers for re-positioning a point of intersection defined between the first sprayer and the axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for the efficient management of a digital currency system using a cryptocurrency scheme. Embodiments utilize a payment processor computer to manage entities in the digital currency system, which have the rights to generate, distribute, transact with, and redeem units of a digital currency. In some embodiments, the digital currency may represent points in a loyalty program operated by an entity or organization. Transactions performed using the digital currency and rules governing the digital currency can be tracked and maintained in a master ledger maintained by the payment processor computer, and distributed as sub-ledgers to other entities within the digital currency system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for the efficient management of a digital currency system using a cryptocurrency scheme. Embodiments utilize a payment processor computer to manage entities in the digital currency system, which have the rights to generate, distribute, transact with, and redeem units of a digital currency. In some embodiments, the digital currency may represent points in a loyalty program operated by an entity or organization. Transactions performed using the digital currency and rules governing the digital currency can be tracked and maintained in a master ledger maintained by the payment processor computer, and distributed as sub-ledgers to other entities within the digital currency system.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a case and a bypass clutch having a plate rotationally fixed to the case and a friction disk having a friction material configured to engage with the plate to rotationally couple the friction disk to the plate when the bypass clutch is engaged. The friction disk includes a first circumferential connection surface having a plurality of alternating convex and concave arcuate segments. A drive plate includes a second circumferential connection surface having a plurality of alternating convex and concave arcuate segments. The first and second connection surfaces are in meshing engagement with the convex segments of the friction disk meshing with the concave segments of the drive plate and with the concave segments of the friction disk meshing with the convex segments of the drive plate.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a case and a bypass clutch having a plate rotationally fixed to the case and a friction disk having a friction material configured to engage with the plate to rotationally couple the friction disk to the plate when the bypass clutch is engaged. The friction disk includes a first circumferential connection surface having a plurality of alternating convex and concave arcuate segments. A drive plate includes a second circumferential connection surface having a plurality of alternating convex and concave arcuate segments. The first and second connection surfaces are in meshing engagement with the convex segments of the friction disk meshing with the concave segments of the drive plate and with the concave segments of the friction disk meshing with the convex segments of the drive plate.

Abstract: A continuous induction heat treating apparatus is provided including a conveyor path defining an axis for a workpiece to be conveyed through the apparatus. The apparatus includes an induction heating station positioned along the conveyor path and operable to induce heating in the workpiece as the workpiece is conveyed through the induction heating station. A quenching station is positioned in a downstream direction from the induction heating station. The quenching station is coupled to a water supply and includes a plurality of sprayers in fluid communication with the water supply and operable to spray water toward the axis for quenching the workpiece as the workpiece is conveyed through the quenching station. The apparatus further includes a quench adjustment mechanism including an actuator coupled to at least a first one of the plurality of sprayers for re-positioning a point of intersection defined between the first sprayer and the axis.

Abstract: A land vehicle, is provided with a mobile work platform assembly with a platform mounted to the land vehicle, sized to receive an operator thereupon. A frame extends from the platform. A positioner assembly includes a guide mounted on the frame of the mobile work platform assembly. A carriage is provided on the guide for translation along the guide. Hardware is provided on the carriage to support a workpiece upon the carriage external of a perimeter of the frame. The carriage includes a brake assembly to position the carriage at various positions along the guide.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for more efficiently and quickly utilizing digital aerial images to generate models of a site. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods capture a plurality of digital aerial images of a site. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods can cluster the plurality of digital aerial images based on a variety of factors, such as visual contents, capture position, or capture time of the digital aerial images. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods can analyze the clusters independently (i.e., in parallel) to generate cluster models. Further, the disclosed systems and methods can merge the cluster models to generate a model of the site.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for more efficiently and quickly utilizing digital aerial images to generate models of a site. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods capture a plurality of digital aerial images of a site. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods can cluster the plurality of digital aerial images based on a variety of factors, such as visual contents, capture position, or capture time of the digital aerial images. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods can analyze the clusters independently (i.e., in parallel) to generate cluster models. Further, the disclosed systems and methods can merge the cluster models to generate a model of the site.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a battery bank supply and replacement system in an electric vehicle, particularly for an electric vehicle used for the distribution of commercial goods. The system of the present invention comprises a battery bank mounted in a metal structure that is structurally coupled to a metal mounting structure arranged on the electric vehicle and a handling device consisting of a movable base. The movable base is aligned and secured to the metal mounting structure of the vehicle for removal of the battery bank from the vehicle towards the handling device or the other way round.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a battery bank supply and replacement system in an electric vehicle, particularly for an electric vehicle used for the distribution of commercial goods. The system of the present invention comprises a battery bank mounted in a metal structure that is structurally coupled to a metal mounting structure arranged on the electric vehicle and a handling device consisting of a movable base. The movable base is aligned and secured to the metal mounting structure of the vehicle for removal of the battery bank from the vehicle towards the handling device or the other way round.

Abstract: A clutch disc segment, including: an inner circumference; a body portion including an outer circumference and a plurality of holes arranged to receive a plurality of rivets for securing friction material to the body portion, and a segment including at least a first portion of the inner circumference and conforming to a plane; a first foot protrusion including a first hole for receiving a first rivet for securing the clutch disc segment to a retainer plate; and a second foot protrusion including a second hole for receiving a second rivet for securing the clutch disc segment to the retainer plate. One of the first or second foot protrusions is off-set from the plane in a first direction orthogonal to the plane.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for the efficient management of a digital currency system using a cryptocurrency scheme. Embodiments utilize a payment processor computer to manage entities in the digital currency system, which have the rights to generate, distribute, transact with, and redeem units of a digital currency. In some embodiments, the digital currency may represent points in a loyalty program operated by an entity or organization. Transactions performed using the digital currency and rules governing the digital currency can be tracked and maintained in a master ledger maintained by the payment processor computer, and distributed as sub-ledgers to other entities within the digital currency system.

Abstract: The present invention is to a laundry detergent powder comprising: (i) from 20 to 80 wt % of a first particle comprising less than 55 wt % sulphate, anionic detersive surfactant, and having a bulk density of from 300 g/l to 1100 g/l: and (ii) from 20 to 80 wt % of a second particle comprising at least 55 wt % sulphate and, having a bulk density of from 350 g/l to 600 g/l, and a process to making the laundry detergent powder.

Abstract: The present invention is a spray-dried powder comprising: (i) from 20 to 80 wt % of a first spray-dried particle comprising less than 5 wt % sulphate, anionic detersive surfactant and having a bulk density of from 300 g/l to 450 g/l: and (ii) from 20 to 80 wt % of a second spray-dried particle comprising at least 45 wt % sulphate, 0 wt % to 15 wt % anionic detersive surfactant, and having a bulk density of from 350 g/l to 700 g/l.

Abstract: A process for making a particle comprising at least 45 wt % sulphate, from 0 wt % to 15 wt % anionic detersive surfactant, and having a bulk density of from 350 g/l to 700 g/l, comprising the steps of; (a) preparing an aqueous slurry comprising sulphate, and optionally detersive surfactant; (b) drying the particle; and wherein the sulphate added to the aqueous slurry has a volume average particle size of from 10 micrometers to 50 micrometers.

Abstract: The present invention is to a laundry detergent powder comprising: (i) from 20 to 80 wt % of a first particle comprising less than 55 wt % sulphate, anionic detersive surfactant, and having a bulk density of from 300 g/l to 1100 g/l: and (ii) from 20 to 80 wt % of a second particle comprising at least 55 wt % sulphate and, having a bulk density of from 350 g/l to 600 g/l, and a process to making the laundry detergent powder.