Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method and apparatus for the treatment of water containing silica in order to recover as much treated water from a water source as possible while minimizing the generation of waste products. Other embodiments include removing specific elements from the water source and utilizing those elements. Embodiments of the method and apparatus uses in-line physical and physio-chemical treatment methods to remove potential biological, colloidal and hardness foulants continually so that there is minimal loss of water from the water source stream and minimal addition of chemicals to accomplish removal or reduction of these potential recovery-limiting foulants.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to extract information about the size and shape of an object by observing variations of the radiation pattern caused by illuminating the object with coherent radiation sources and changing the wavelengths of the source. Sensing and image-reconstruction systems and methods are described for recovering the image of an object utilizing projected and transparent reference points and radiation sources such as tunable lasers. Sensing and image-reconstruction systems and methods are also described for rapid sensing of such radiation patterns. A computational system and method is also described for sensing and reconstructing the image from its autocorrelation. This computational approach uses the fact that the autocorrelation is the weighted sum of shifted copies of an image, where the shifts are obtained by sequentially placing each individual scattering cell of the object at the origin of the autocorrelation space.

Abstract: A chimney cap capable of being secured to a chimney and including a base; an annular collar member for insertion into a chimney, and having an outside circumference smaller than an opening of the chimney so as to be readily received therein; an annular shaped mesh member that is supported about the collar; a top supported over the base; and a plurality of support rods attached to the collar and for the purpose of supporting the annular shaped mesh member. The annular shaped mesh member has discharge openings for air flow and at least one elongated slot through which one of the support rods extends for securing the annular shaped mesh member. The elongated slot in combination with the one support rod enables adjustment of the diameter of the annular shaped mesh member.

Abstract: A suture anchor assembly and methods of use will now are disclosed for the repair of human or animal tissue defects. The suture anchor assembly is capable of being inserted into a tissue or bone while also being able to create an expanded profile when subjected to a retrograde force. This expanded profile anchors the assembly into the tissue or bone by a changing of position of elements of the assembly relative to other assembly elements. Embodiments of the suture anchor assembly and methods are capable of precisely positioning assembly elements in the tissue or bone to effectively repair the defects.

Abstract: Disclosed is an energy retriever system and methods for absorbing energy and using that energy elsewhere or converting it to other useful forms of energy or work. The energy retriever system consists of a series of components interconnected by a plurality of conduits containing a fluid. Working as a self-contained thermodynamic system, the energy retriever system allows the fluid to circulate through all of these elements. Heat added to the energy capture subsystem heats the fluid. The fluid becomes more pressurized and moves into the expansion cycle subsystem. The energy extraction subsystem transforms the thermal energy of the fluid into work, kinetic energy or thermal energy. The reservoir subsystem compresses the fluid and reintroduces it into the energy capture subsystem. One-way valves are used throughout the system to keep the flow of the fluid in one direction and separate sections of the system that contain different pressures.

Abstract: A passenger accommodation assembly for a transportation vehicle, comprising a plurality of accommodation units placed along an aisle with each accommodation unit being convertible between an upright seat position and a reclined position. A first accommodation unit of the assembly is elevated relative to a second unit whereby the legs of a passenger reclining in the second unit can extend under a seat portion of the first unit and the backrest of the passenger in the first unit can extend over the legs of the passenger in the second unit. Other embodiments of the invention comprise multiple accommodation units and combinations of accommodation unit assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to methods and systems for comparing and maximizing the appropriateness of a first set of one or more data objects to a set of second data objects. In one embodiment, the first set of data objects represent one or more tasks to be fulfilled by a set of capabilities represented by the second data objects. In one embodiment, this invention provides an effective and accurate method and system to compare and maximize the appropriateness between the requirements of a task and the second set's capabilities, while these capabilities and requirements are contained, even if only latently, in data objects such as written documents, electronic databases or other sources of data and information. In one embodiment, topic modeling techniques are utilized to compare the data objects.

Abstract: A cap capable of being secured to a chimney or flue of either air cooled or non-air cooled type and including a base, an annular collar member for insertion into a chimney or flue, an annular shaped mesh member that is supported from the base; a top supported on the annular shaped mesh member, means supported from an outer surface of the collar member below the base and forming a ledge for support of the collar member from the chimney or flue, and an over lap joint including a lower segment that extends substantially longitudinal of the collar member and a top segment that extends diagonal to the lower segment enabling compression of the diameter of the collar member.

Abstract: A fabric mesh ball attached to a toy member in the shape of an animal such as a duck, fish or frog so as the toy member serves as a grasping handle for the mesh ball and furthermore serves as a squirt toy in that a hollow body portion of the toy member includes a squirt opening preferably positioned near the mouth of the particular animal.

Abstract: A corner support assembly for attachment to wall scaffold bracket of wall scaffolding. The corner support assembly having an upper mounting adapter, a retaining adapter, a securing rod and a lower mounting adapter. The upper leg of the wall scaffold, the mounting adapter, the wall and the retaining adapter are sandwiched with the securing rod and a rod retaining nut, thereby securing the upper leg of the wall scaffold bracket in place against the wall. The lower mounting adapter and the lower leg of the wall scaffold bracket are forced against the wall providing additional support and stability for the wall scaffold bracket. The stabilizing flanges of the upper and the lower mounting adapters rest against the outside corner of the building and the scaffold bracket is stabilized around the corner. Workers are able to work safely around corners of buildings and they can quickly install the scaffold bracket using common wall scaffolding systems.