Abstract: Systems and methods for providing collaborative energy benchmarking are described. Information including background data, energy consumption data, temporal data, and/or other information is gathered from multiple sources and stored in a central database. Based on the stored information, energy benchmarks are created for measuring residential energy usage. Energy usage data is displayed to consumers in multiple formats, and permits consumers to directly compare their energy usage data to other consumers or groups of consumers, in addition to their own energy usage. In some embodiments, energy challenge programs encourage reduction of energy usage. Through such programs, consumers create and present challenges for themselves and/or other consumers, such as to reduce energy usage during a given timeframe. The progress of the group and individual consumers is displayed during the course of a challenge.

Abstract: A location tagged data provision and display system. A personal communication device (PCD) with electromagnetic communication capability has a GPS receiver and a display. The 10 PCD requests maps and location tagged data from data providers and other for display on the PCD. The data providers respond to requests by using searching and sorting schemes to interrogate data bases and then automatically transmitting data responsive to the requests to the requesting PCD.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure provide one or more methods and/or systems to provide for determination of valid fastener zones that meet certain design rules. A method may include selecting at least one fastener having a preselected size and providing a first structural member and second structural member each having preselected sizes and shapes. The method may include determining a first fastener placement zone in the first structural member and determining a second fastener placement zone in the second structural member, where the respective first and second fastener placement zones are determined as a function of the structural design rules. The method may include determining a final fastener zone by identifying an overlap of the first and second fastener zones.

Abstract: A method of reducing the size of data representing an image in a graphical display wherein the data comprises triangle strings representing polygons that form the image, includes steps to determine a size of a pixel in the image; compare the size of a pixel in the image to a narrowest dimension of a polygon that encompasses the pixel and determine a number of triangles in a triangle string that represents the polygon. If the narrowest dimension of the polygon is larger than the image size, reducing the number of triangles in the triangle string using triangle decimation and if the polygon is similar to the image size, leaving the number of triangles in the triangle string unchanged.

Abstract: In a computing device that performs synchronization testing of a plurality of active clustered servers, a request to check synchronization between slave data stored and master data is received. The request includes master synchronization test values computed by a master node that include a number of records included in a dataset and a sum of modification time values for the records. Slave synchronization test values are computed that include a number of records included in the dataset of the slave data and a sum of modification time values for the records in the dataset of the slave data. The computed slave synchronization test values are compared to the master synchronization test values. A message is sent to the requesting device indicating the slave node is synchronized when the computed synchronization test values match or indicating the slave node is not synchronized when the computed synchronization test values do not match.

Abstract: An insert for perforating a subterranean formation sealingly engages a port in a production casing run into a wellbore intersecting the formation. The insert has a core where in a first mode it prevents fluid passage through the insert, and a second mode where the core disengages from the insert upon a treatment fluid reaching a threshold pressure in the casing, and ejects from the insert as a projectile to initiate and contribute to the fracture and stimulation of the formation by the pressurized treatment fluid exiting the port. The insert has a chamber which is filled with a gel that prevents wellbore cement from setting and is covered by a perforated debris shield that permits the equalization of pressure between the chamber and the annulus between the casing and wellbore.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses sensing emitted light caused by fluorescence of adhesive to determine characteristics of absorbent structures during the manufacture of absorbent articles. Some absorbent articles may have absorbent structures that include an absorbent core disposed between a topsheet and a backsheet. And one or more of the absorbent structure components may be assembled with adhesive that fluoresces when excited by ultraviolet light. Aspects of the present methods relate to an inspection system that may be configured to interact with, monitor, and/or control a converting line. The inspection system may include a radiation source that illuminates a surface of an absorbent structure with ultraviolet light. A sensor may be adapted to receive light caused by fluorescence of the adhesive while being irradiated with the ultraviolet light. In turn, the inspection system may determine characteristics of the absorbent structure based on the detected emitted light.

Abstract: An equipment dry bay is provided. The equipment dry bay includes at least one partition that subdivides the equipment dry bay into a plurality of compartments, wherein the at least one partition includes a plate, and at least one flame arrestor positioned within the plate and providing vapor and fluid communication between a first compartment and a second compartment of the plurality of compartments, the at least one flame arrestor configured to vent combustion gases in the first compartment into the second compartment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing collaborative energy benchmarking are described. Information including background data, energy consumption data, temporal data, and/or other information is gathered from multiple sources and stored in a central database. Based on the stored information, energy benchmarks are created for measuring residential energy usage. Energy usage data is displayed to consumers in multiple formats, and permits consumers to directly compare their energy usage data to other consumers or groups of consumers, in addition to their own energy usage. In some embodiments, energy challenge programs encourage reduction of energy usage. Through such programs, consumers create and present challenges for themselves and/or other consumers, such as to reduce energy usage during a given timeframe. The progress of the group and individual consumers is displayed during the course of a challenge.

Abstract: A binder comprising a detachable article holder is described. The article holder comprises hangers that may be extended to detach the article holder from the binder and/or configure the article holder for hanging on support rails. Also described is a method of extending hangers of the article holder to both detach the article holder from the binder shell and configure the article holder for hanging.

Abstract: Systems and processes herein may be configured to correlate manufacturing parameters and performance feedback parameters with individual absorbent articles manufactured by a converting apparatus. Embodiments of the systems herein may include inspection sensors configured to inspect substrates and/or component parts advancing along the converting line and communicate inspection parameters to a controller and historian. The systems may also include process sensors configured to monitor equipment on the converting line and communicate process parameters to the controller and historian. The systems herein may also be adapted to receive performance feedback parameters based on the packaged absorbent articles. The systems may correlate inspection parameters, process parameters, and/or performance feedback parameters with individual absorbent articles produced on the converting line. The controller may also be configured to perform various functions based on the performance feedback parameters.

Abstract: A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least two permeate exhaust conduits and not comprising a concentrate exhaust conduit. Each permeate exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the permeate exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said permeate exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least two permeate carrier layers, and at least two membrane layers. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element.

Abstract: A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least one permeate exhaust conduit and at least one concentrate exhaust conduit. Each exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least one permeate carrier layer, and at least one membrane layer. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element.