Abstract: Novel hyperthermophilic Dictyoglomus beta-mannanases are provided for use in high temperature industrial applications requiring enzymatic hydrolysis of 1,4-?-D-mannosidic linkages in mannans, galactomannans, and glucomannans. Also provided are methods and compositions for fracturing a subterranean formation in which a gellable fracturing fluid is first formed by blending together a hydratable polymer and a Dictyoglomus beta-mannanase as an enzyme breaker. An optimized and stabilized recombinant Dictyoglomus beta-mannanase is provided that shows superior performance/effectiveness and properties in degrading guar and derivatized guars at pH ranges from 3.0 to 12 and temperatures ranging from 130° F. to in excess of 270° F.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a radio receiver with a hybrid channelizer architecture. In some implementations, a receiver includes an input to receive a first signal encoding digital samples of a radiofrequency signal. The receiver includes a frequency shifter configured to generate a second signal that is frequency shifted relative to the first signal. The receiver includes a first polyphase filter bank configured to receive the first signal and provide filter bank outputs for first sub-bands. The receiver includes a second polyphase filter bank configured to receive the second signal and provide filter bank outputs for second sub-bands. The receiver includes a switch network configured to select among the filter bank outputs and provide the filter bank outputs to respective digital channelizer modules for multiple channels.

Abstract: An optimized port plus direct injection (PFI+DI) fueling system for reducing DI-generated particulates from a spark ignition gasoline engine is disclosed. It uses information from a computational model that includes piston wetting. Means for DI particulate reduction include control of DI timing and duration as a function of various parameters. Illustrative computational results for decreasing particulates in various drive cycles are presented. These calculations illustrate large potential particulate reductions (e.g. 95%) that can be obtained relative to DI operation alone. The optimized PFI+DI system could provide DI generated particulate reduction, efficiency and cost advantages relative to operation of a DI alone engine with a gasoline particulate filter (GPF). Alternatively, it could be used in combination with a GPF to ease GPF operation requirements and provide additional particulate reduction. Techniques for reducing piston wetting generation of particles from use of DI alone are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasound treatment are provided. Acoustic energy, including ultrasound, can serve as input energy to a mask with apertures, such apertures acting as secondary acoustic sources to create a modulated output acoustic energy in a treatment region and treatment effects. Under proper control output energy can be precisely placed and controlled in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured for ultrasound treatment based on creating an output energy distribution in tissue. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured based on creating an output temperature distribution in tissue.

Abstract: A trash rake system with an articulated rake head assembly is provided. The trash rake system includes a main unit, a telescoping boom attached to the main unit, and a rake head assembly attached to an end of the telescoping boom. The rake head assembly includes a base frame, a drive arrangement mounted to the base frame, and a rake head mounted to the drive arrangement. The drive arrangement includes at least one gear arranged to mesh with a rack gear mounted to a rack which is in turn mounted between a fixed member and a movable member of the telescoping boom.

Abstract: Signals are received that include a channel band and an adjacent band. The channel band is demodulated to obtain recovered symbols. Cross-correlation between the recovered symbols and the adjacent band is estimated. Adjacent channel interference is estimated, using the estimated cross-correlation of the recovered symbols and the adjacent band. Upon the estimated adjacent channel interference meeting a condition, a back-off command is sent to a transmitter power amplifier.

Abstract: A method for modeling a cell site with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) includes causing the UAV to fly a given flight path about a cell tower at the cell site, wherein a launch location and launch orientation is defined for the UAV to take off and land at the cell site such that each flight at the cell site has the same launch location and launch orientation; obtaining a plurality of photographs of the cell site during about the flight plane, wherein each of the plurality of photographs is associated with one or more location identifiers; and, subsequent to the obtaining, processing the plurality of photographs to define a three dimensional (3D) model of the cell site based on the associated with one or more location identifiers and one or more objects of interest in the plurality of photographs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for enabling the use of SIP subsystems to make a configurable system with desired characteristics and features are provided. A configurable system's unique interconnecting scheme creates appropriate connections between the SIP components and/or subsystems.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) sterilization system and a device for sterilizing a garment having shoulder, torso, and sleeve portions including a garment enclosure; a garment hanger; and at least three UV emitter sets, wherein the garment enclosure comprises a housing and a door that are affixed to each other to provide an interior cavity of the garment enclosure, wherein the housing further includes a plurality of housing walls that encapsulate the housing, and wherein each of the plurality of housing walls comprises a housing-wall inside surface located within the plurality of housing walls and a housing-wall outside surface located outside the plurality of housing walls.

Abstract: A battery module includes a battery module housing, cells disposed in the battery module housing, and spacers disposed between adjacent cells. Each spacer is electrically insulating and includes a body portion having a curvilinear, for example elliptical, outer peripheral shape. The body portion is suspended from the cell housing by hangers, and overlies a central region of a cell housing surface corresponding to large deflection due to cell growth. In addition, the body portion is spaced apart from a periphery of the cell housing surface.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: Embodiments of a portable verification system can move from one in-field gas flow meter location to another and temporarily connect downstream of a main pipeline's meter run or station. A control valve of the portable verification system allows volume measurement at different flow velocities to be verified. In some embodiments, the portable verification system is connected to the meter run and the main pipeline by a corresponding slip or linearly adjustable pipeline section. This section can extend horizontally and vertically, as well as swivel to provide versatility when connecting in the field. Adaptor fittings having one flange sized for and fitted to the inlet and outlet ends of the portable verification system and another flange sized for the meter run or main pipeline connection provide additional versatility. Downtime is limited to the time required to complete a circuit between the meter run, portable verification system, and main pipeline.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cell housing and an electrode assembly disposed in the cell housing. The electrode assembly includes an electrode pair that is arranged to form a winding having a polygonal spiral wound shape in which a radius of the corner portions of each turn of the winding is constant, regardless of the number of turns. In addition, a length of the linear portions of one turn of the winding is different than a length of the linear portions of another turn of the winding. Since each turn of the winding includes the corner portions having a desired radius, the volumetric efficiency of the electrode assembly including the winding within a cell housing is improved relative to some cells that use conventional windings. An apparatus and method of forming a polygonal spiral wound winding are disclosed.

Abstract: A carton includes an outer shell (102) defining an interior space with upper and lower tiers. A divider (120) is disposed at least in part in the outer shell dividing between the upper and lower tiers. A tear strip (118) defined in the outer shell operatively connecting an upper portion of the outer shell to a lower portion thereof. The upper portion defines a six-sided structure, a bottom side of which includes the divider. The upper portion is configured to be removed from the lower portion by lifting the upper portion after the tear strip is activated.

Abstract: A method for networked scheduling is disclosed. The method includes: providing a gateway; a plurality of channels assigned to a color reuse scheme including colors, wherein some of the plurality of channels assigned to one of the colors comprise a set of co-channels; associating the set of co-channels with the gateway; generating a traffic pattern for the set of co-channels for an upcoming allocation slot; determining a channel state of each co-channel in the set of co-channels per the traffic pattern; and setting a Modulation and Coding scheme (MODCOD) of each co-channel in the set of co-channels based on the respective channel state.

Abstract: A solid hydrogen reaction system and method of liberating hydrogen gas includes the utilization of a reactor having a body that defines a reaction chamber, having a first narrow end and a second wider end such that the reactor has an increasing cross-sectional area from the first end toward the second end, for facilitating a reaction to liberate hydrogen gas stored in a hydrogen storage solid located within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting convenient and secure mobile transactions between a payment terminal and a mobile device, e.g., in a fueling environment, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the payment terminal and the mobile device conduct a mutual authentication process that, if successful, produces a session key which can be used to encrypt sensitive data to be exchanged between the payment terminal and the mobile device. Payment and loyalty information can be securely communicated from the mobile device to the payment terminal using the session key. This can be done automatically, without waiting for the user to initiate a transaction, to shorten the overall transaction time. The transaction can also be completed without any user interaction with the mobile device, increasing the user's convenience since the mobile device can be left in the user's pocket, purse, vehicle, etc.