Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for harvesting salt, and other valued material, and generating distilled water from at least one of a produced water and salt water. The system can include a direct steam generator (DSG) configured to generate saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents. The system can include a separation system operating after the DSG, configured to separate salt from the saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents in at least one of brine form and solid form. The system can include an energy recovery system that includes an expansion turbine configured to recover energy from the steam and exhaust constituents.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for using a rotating camera for vehicular operation. One example of a method for improving driving includes determining, by a processor in the vehicle, that a trigger has activated, orienting, based on the determining, a single rotating camera towards a direction of interest, and activating a recording functionality of the single rotating camera, where the vehicle comprises the single rotating camera and one or more fixed cameras, and where the single rotating camera provides a redundant functionality for, and consumes less power than, the one or more fixed cameras.

Abstract: A device for shielding a user from sunlight is disclosed herein. The device includes a clip portion, a shade portion, a connector piece, and an illuminating source located on an upper surface of the shade portion. The clip portion includes an elongate body, an upper side, and a lower side. The shade portion is adjustably coupled to the clip portion by the connector piece. The device is useful for providing a removable shade for connection with a brim of a hat that allows a user to adjust the shade in multiple directions to keep sunlight out of the user's eyes.

Abstract: A handle is disclosed. The handle comprises a handgrip, having a top portion, a bottom portion and, opposing side portions joined to form a structure having an opening. A ball joint connected in series to the bottom portion and including a spheroid member nested in a socket member. A hinge joint connected in series to the ball joint and the bottom portion. The hinge joint including a connection axis having a first armature and a second armature. The first armature and the second armature are configured to pivot about the connection axis. A handle mate connected in series to the bottom portion, the ball joint, and the hinge joint. The handle mate comprising an arc configured to partially circumscribe a luggage handle. The handle mate including a retaining mechanism configured to retain the luggage handle nested in the arc.

Abstract: A tailgate tote system including a storage container assembly having a container with a plurality of storage compartments, and a lid having a plurality of compartment-lids. Each of the plurality of storage compartments include one of the plurality of compartment-lids. Each of the plurality of compartment-lids are configured to open and provide individual access to a respective one of the plurality of storage compartments without removing the lid of the container. The storage container assembly provides portable and compartmentalized storage for a plurality of items in a single unit.

Abstract: A device for shielding a user from sunlight is disclosed herein. The device includes a clip portion, a shade portion, a connector piece, and an illuminating source located on an upper surface of the shade portion. The clip portion includes an elongate body, an upper side, and a lower side. The shade portion is adjustably coupled to the clip portion by the connector piece. The device is useful for providing a removable shade for connection with a brim of a hat that allows a user to adjust the shade in multiple directions to keep sunlight out of the user's eyes.

Abstract: A handle is disclosed. The handle comprises a handgrip, having a top portion, a bottom portion and, opposing side portions joined to form a structure having an opening. A ball joint connected in series to the bottom portion and including a spheroid member nested in a socket member. A hinge joint connected in series to the ball joint and the bottom portion. The hinge joint including a connection axis having a first armature and a second armature. The first armature and the second armature are configured to pivot about the connection axis. A handle mate connected in series to the bottom portion, the ball joint, and the hinge joint. The handle mate comprising an arc configured to partially circumscribe a luggage handle. The handle mate including a retaining mechanism configured to retain the luggage handle nested in the arc.

Abstract: Multi-layered macromolecules wherein the layers are covalently bonded together and wherein the macromolecules are covalently bonded to solid particulate substrates, methods for the preparation of such compositions, and methods for their uses in a multitude of end use applications ranging from the purification of waste chemical and metal process streams to the separation and identification of proteins, peptides, and oligionucleotides.

Abstract: A seat belt restraint and alarm system and method of use thereof, comprising electronic circuitry within an automobile key. Upon activation via coupling of a seat belt, removal of the alert beyond a selected distance from a vehicle will result in activation of an alarm advising a parent or other caregiver that a child is still secured within the vehicle. A vehicular transmitter/receiver senses the presence or absence of a circuit component or a signal from the key-borne device and if absent, signals back to sound the alarm.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for tracking electronic mail (e-mail) that requires Internet Service Providers to use appliances registered with a central governmental agency. The appliance amends each e-mail message by attaching the serial number of the appliance and an identification code. The identification code includes information that can be used to reference log entries maintained on the appliance that can be matched to ISP records containing sender log-in information and sender connection records, thereby allowing each e-mail to be traced back to the originating ISP and sender. Receiving ISPs will be able to authenticate each ID code to ensure that the sending ISP has a registered appliance and to prevent the use of unauthorized appliances. This method/apparatus is intended to lay the groundwork for enforcing a National Do Not E-Mail registry.

Abstract: The flexing device comprises a strip of metal adapted to be secured to the underside of a drip pan in which a planar formation of a surface electric heating element is disposed. Terminal legs and portions connecting the terminal legs to the planar formation pass through apertures in the bottom of the drip pan and are engaged by the flexing device. A base portion of the flexing device is secured to the center of the underside of the pan. First and second arms of the flexing device extend from the base portion of the flexing device and frictionally and resiliently engage the terminal legs and connecting portions. The second arm is struck from the base portion and is bent outwardly from the base portion to provide an open space which is aligned with the aperture for one terminal leg and connecting portion. The second arm has a first section extending at an angle from the base portion, a V-shaped bend and a second section extending at an angle toward the plane of the base portion.

Abstract: An improved forming roll for forming cylindrical metal slugs from cylindrical rod stock is characterized in that the roll has a helical groove defined by a rib the radial height of which and the axial dimension of which increase along the length of the roll, the groove between successive helices of the rib having a cylindrical base the axial length of which is so dimensioned that the volume of metal enclosed by the groove, in use, is substantially constant.There is also described a novel method for making such a forming roll.

Abstract: An improved terminal for a sheathed resistance heating element includes a body portion, and a tab portion folded over and connected to the body portion by a neck portion of reduced width. A first aperture for receiving a large size threaded fastener is provided on the body portion, and a second aperture axially-aligned with the first aperture is provided on the tab portion for receiving a smaller sized threaded fastener. The tab portion is dimensioned for sliding engagement with a standard female quick-connect type connector.

Abstract: A terminal housing for surface-type resistance heating elements includes interlocking housing sections which snap together to form compartments in which connections to the heating elements are mechanically and electrically protected. The use of identical housing sections with integral locking and strain relief provisions allows the terminal housing to be used with a wide variety of types of connections without the need for a large inventory of components.