Abstract: A system for controlling sand discharge from a plurality of sand separators each of which has a dump line and an actuated valve apparatus in the dump line. There is a first controller which is operatively connected to the actuated valve assemblies and is configured to open one of the actuated valve assemblies in response to a parameter such as internal pressure in the sand separator. There is a second controller which is connected to the first controller and which is also connected to an actuated discharge valve in a common discharge line to which all of the dump lines are connected. On a command from the first controller to the second controller that a selected one of the actuated valve assemblies is opening, the second controller opens the discharge valve.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger has elongated shell having first and second opposing ends and an open interior. A core divides the open interior of the shell into first and second enclosed portions. The shell has first and second tube fluid openings at opposing ends. End plates divide the first and second enclosed portions into manifold portions and enclosed shell chamber portions. Tubes extend from the end plates, through the enclosed shell chambers to the core. Shell fluid openings are at sides of the elongated shell, a first fluid opening communicating with the first shell chamber, and a second fluid opening communicating with the second shell chamber. The shell has a long axis, and the end plates are angled relative to the long axis. The tubes are polygonal with rounded corners and straight sides. The heat exchanger can be used for both evaporation and condensation processes.

Abstract: Described herein includes a puncture mechanism for a beverage appliance or machine that can be configured to puncture a pod containing a beverage medium (e.g., a flavoring agent). The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce lateral movement of one or more engagement members to securely hold a beverage pod. The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce relative axial movement between an anvil and the secured beverage pod to puncture a seal of the beverage pod.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for efficiently sulfiding metal catalyst resident in a reactor vessel comprises a sulfiding module and a hydrogen sulfide detection module and a remote computer all arranged and configured to communicate wirelessly and to allow remote control and monitoring of the modules and sulfiding process.

Abstract: A method of extracting a sub-bitstream from an encoded video bitstream using at least one processor includes: obtaining an encoded video bitstream, the encoded video bitstream including a plurality of Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) units; obtaining an output layer set list; comparing the NAL units with the output layer set list; and removing NAL units that are not included in the output layer set list.

Abstract: A base station for performing physical cell identifier (PCI) collision detection. The base station includes at least one processor configured to determine whether a PCI in a radio resource control (RRC) re-establishment message is the same as a PCI used by a cell implemented by the base station. The at least one processor is also configured to determine whether a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) in the RRC Re-establishment message is outside a reserved range of C-RNTIs for the cell. The at least one processor is also configured to identify a possible PCI collision for the cell when (1) the PCI in the RRC Re-establishment message is the same as a PCI used by the cell; and (2) the C-RNTI in the RRC Re-establishment message is outside the reserved range of C-RNTIs for the cell.

Abstract: A muscle therapy device is provided. The muscle therapy device includes a substantially ring-shaped member. The muscle therapy device further includes first and second protrusion members that are coupled to the substantially ring-shaped member and extend radially inwardly from the substantially ring-shaped member. The first protrusion member has a first length, and the second protrusion member has a second length greater than the first length. The muscle therapy device further includes first and second tip members being coupled to the first and second protrusion members, respectively.

Abstract: A composition for the treatment of fiber, yarn and fabrics, said composition comprising at least one highly dispersible clay nanoparticle component, at least one silicone polymer component; and water. Also provided is fiber surface treated with these compositions as well as articles including yarns, fabrics and carpets of the surface treated fiber.

Abstract: A safety portal system for use in existing building, such as schools. The safety portal system includes a first portal section. The first portal section includes a first wall and a second wall, a first open end, a floor portion and a ceiling portion, the at least one open end defined by an outer edge. In addition to the first portal section, the safety portal system includes a second portal section. The second portal section includes a first wall and a second wall, at least one open end, a floor portion and a ceiling portion. The at least one open end of the second portal section is defined by an inner edge that cooperates and engages with the outer edge of the first portal section to create a protective overlap section. A method of installing the safety portal system includes positioning the safety portal system in a desired building and assembling the safety portal system. The safety portal system can then be secured in its desired location within the building.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates search and rescue, for example, in open water. The apparatus comprises a substrate with a particular geometry and a perimeter. The apparatus further comprises a cover positioned atop the substrate with the cover also having a particular geometry and perimeter, which correspond to the geometry and perimeter of the substrate. An air-tight seal seals the substrate perimeter to the cover perimeter and creates a sealed internal region. A breakable vessel holding an illuminable dye located in the sealed internal region, along with an activator that is also located in the sealed internal region. When the breakable vessel is broken, the illuminable dye reacts with the activator and illuminates the illuminable dye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination system for a leaf blower, which can be integrated into the original product or configured as an aftermarket product for use with existing leaf blowers. In an example, the illumination system includes at least one light assembly including at least one light source provided in association with a housing member. The housing member is integrated into at least one shoulder strap of a backpack blower such that the at least one light source is directed away from the front surface of the shoulder strap, or positioned between the shoulder straps by attachment members. A blower nozzle mounted illumination system is also provided.

Abstract: An animation system includes an animated figure, multiple sensors, and an animation controller that includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions cause the animation controller to receive guest detection data from the multiple sensors, receive shiny object detection data from the multiple sensors, determine an animation sequence of the animated figure based on the guest detection data and shiny object detection data, and transmit a control signal indicative of the animation sequence to cause the animated figure to execute the animation sequence. The guest detection data is indicative of a presence of a guest near the animated figure. The animation sequence is responsive to a shiny object detected on or near the guest based on the guest detection data and the shiny object detection data.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to strength of associations among data records in a security information sharing platform. Some examples may enable creating, in the security information sharing platform, an association between a security indicator comprising an observable, and a data record. Some examples may further enable determining strength of the association between the security indicator and the data record based on at least one of: a likelihood of change in the association; a creator of the association; an aging rate of the association; or a quality of evidence that supports the association.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adaptive scan control. In one embodiment, a method includes, upon an injection of a contrast agent, processing acquired projection data of an anatomical region of interest (ROI) of a subject to measure a contrast signal of the contrast agent, determining when each of a plurality of zones of a contrast scan are estimated to occur based on the contrast signal, updating a scan prescription for the contrast scan based on when each of the plurality of zones of the scan protocol are estimated to occur, and performing the contrast scan according to the updated scan prescription.

Abstract: An ignition exciter high frequency switching converter, ignition assembly, and method of operating the same, include a high frequency switching converter operably by way of a control circuit having a timing mechanism, to operate the high frequency switching converter in discontinuous conduction mode to charge a tank capacitor for igniting an igniter.

Abstract: Compaction of an ordered event stream (OES) is disclosed. An OES storage system can employing multiple tiers of storage devices, wherein the different tiers each can provide certain advantages and disadvantages that can be used to balance OES event storage costs, both monetarily and in terms of computing resource burden. Compaction can be facilitated by storing, in a stream map, a reference to an event stored via a second tier of storage in contrast to storing in the stream map actual events of a first tier of storage. A reference can be enabled by storing events in a chunk body and storing a location relationships in a header of the chunk. The stream map can then search headers for references, which can often be smaller than the events themselves, which references can then be communicated, stored, and updated in the stream map to facilitate OES compaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method that includes providing, by a first computing device, a request for identifying data, wherein the first computing device is accessible by a first user. The method may further include receiving, by a second computing device, the request provided by the first computing device, wherein the second computing device is accessible by a second user. Additionally, the method may include, transmitting, by the second user, identifying data to a location accessible by the first computing device, wherein the identifying data is transmitted to the location based on an address provided by the first user. The method may yet further include accessing, by the first user, the identifying data transmitted by the second user; and validating, by the first user, the identifying data provided by the second user in response to accessing the identifying data.

Abstract: A flexible intelligent electrical switching device with multi-function capability, and methods of use are presented herein which provide an autonomous, reconfigurable switching device. The present disclosure is specifically designed to reduce space, cost of manufacture, efficiency, installation reduction time and ease of implementation.