Abstract: A polymer activation assembly is provided for separating monomer from the oil in which it is suspended in a polymer forming suspension and mixing the monomer with water supplied from another stream. The supply water is supplied through a primary fluid channel extending through the activation assembly and which transitions to a relatively wide rectangular activation channel. A secondary fluid inlet is formed in a side of the activation assembly for injection of the polymer forming suspension therein. A nozzle section of the secondary fluid inlet is formed between an initial section of the inlet and the activation channel. The nozzle section is generally rectangular in cross section and relatively shallow. The distal end of the nozzle section has a width that approximates the width of the activation channel. The nozzle section angles at an acute angle toward the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for PLL bandwidth expansion including a compensation filter and a phase locked loop, where the compensation filter is programmed with a compensation function derived based on programmable coefficients and parameters of a transmitting device, a frequency response of the phase locked loop, and a wanted frequency response.

Abstract: Maintaining an operational temperature range of a fuel dispenser component may be accomplished by a variety of systems, devices, and techniques. In one aspect, a fuel dispenser temperature maintenance system includes a centrifugal fan and an airflow separator. The centrifugal fan is detachably mounted to a fuel dispenser and adapted to circulate an airflow from an exterior to an interior of the fuel dispenser; separate the airflow into a conditioning airflow and an ejected airflow; and direct the conditioning airflow directly to a fuel dispenser component. The ejected airflow includes a plurality of particulates. The airflow separator includes a separator inlet adapted to receive the ejected airflow. The airflow separator is adapted to guide the ejected airflow from the separator inlet directly to an exterior of the fuel dispenser through an outlet channel, where the outlet channel is disposed between the airflow separator and the exterior of the fuel dispenser.

Abstract: Communications antennae suitable for operating in harsh environmental conditions and methods for providing such antennae are disclosed. Exemplary implementations of the communications antenna may provide an ability to transmit and receive radio frequency signals while being exposed to formidable conditions for many years. Such conditions may include one or more of shallow and deep ocean, radioactive, ultraviolet, ultra cold, ultra-high pressure, and/or other harsh environments. The antenna may be ruggedized to withstand attacks by marine mammals and fish, encounters with fishing equipment including nets and lines, entanglement with marine debris, abrasion (e.g., by coral, sand, rock, and/or other objects), collision with maritime vessels and submersibles, and/or other unpredictable events. The efficient radio frequency design and efficient form factor may provide users with a small, unobtrusive device with a capacity for extensive integration in the radio frequency domain.

Abstract: A surveillance camera includes a primary power connection for electrically connecting the camera to a primary power source. The camera includes a housing and a test port in the housing. The test port includes a port connection for electrically connecting the camera to a secondary local power source such that the camera receives power from the secondary power source. The port connection is further for connecting the camera to a portable monitor such that video from the camera is displayed on the monitor when the camera is electrically connected to the secondary power source independent of whether the camera is electrically connected to the primary power source.

Abstract: A novel system and method for degassing H2S and H2Sx from liquid sulfur (sulphur) is disclosed. The system includes a degassing vessel with a plurality of cells. The cells include a sparging gas mat with a perforated surface at the bottom of the cell to allow the release of air bubbles (or sparging gas) into the cells. A catalyst may be used during the process. As a result, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide are efficiently and effectively removed from the liquid sulfur.

Abstract: A method and a satellite gateway for minimizing an impact of a noise floor variation in a spot beam satellite system. A demodulator processes digitized signals from multiple channels. Digitized signals are automatically gain controlled by respective automatic gain control components associated with respective channels. Automatic gain controlled digitized signals are downconverted and provided to a burst processor. The burst processor processes each downconverted signal and provides, with respect to each downconverted signal, an automatic gain control estimate, a code rate, and an inroute number to a processor component. The processor component determines an average automatic gain control value for each inroute, provides automatic gain control references to the respective automatic gain control components, and periodically sends noise map information to satellite terminals served by the satellite gateway. In some embodiments, the automatic gain control values are biased according to corresponding code rates.

Abstract: A method for automatically taking an image of a participant in an event with a timing system determining a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag, the system includes a RFID tag reader system obtaining the RFID tag numbers of the RFID tag in RFID tag reads, time stamping each RFID tag read, and transmitting a tag read message including the RFID tag number, an image capture device capturing images of participants when in proximity to one of the monitored points, generating image data, an image capture system creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message, and the timing system determining the RFID tag number within the tag read messages, associating the received image data with the identified participant, and storing the image data associated with the determined RFID tag number.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reading both chip and magnetic stripe cards, and in particular for preventing use of a magnetic stripe when a chip is present, in various settings such as fuel dispensers, ATMs, and retail settings. For example, a card reading device is provided that includes a housing and at least one card slot. A smart card reader and a magnetic stripe card reader are disposed within the housing. In one embodiment, a gate is configured to prevent insertion of a card into a rear portion of the card slot when a chip is detected to prevent the magnetic stripe card reader from reading a magnetic stripe. In another embodiment, a first card slot has a first depth that prevents insertion of a magnetic stripe but allows reading of a chip, and a second slot has a depth that allows insertion of a magnetic stripe.

Abstract: A veneer product and system includes a body having an aesthetic front surface and a back surface for installation adjacent the building. The body has a top side and a bottom side and a bracket attached to body and projecting away from the back surface of the body, the bracket further comprising a first end adjacent the top side for attachment to the building and a first protrusion for positioning the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a second end having a second protrusion for positioning the bottom of the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a bottom projection adjacent the bottom side for engagement with a second body to retain the bottom end of the veneer product.

Abstract: A cooperating rack structure comprising at least two modules affixed to legs and a method of reduced weight vertical storage of fuel tanks for use in motor vehicles wherein the fuel tanks form a cooperating portion of the rack superstructure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a heating system maintains the temperature of a fuel additive (e.g., AUS32) at and/or above freezing temperature to avoid crystallization. The heating system can form a fluid circuit with one or more coaxially arranged sleeves disposed about hoses that transport the additives. The fluid circuit can also include a central compartment that encloses a flow meter. A fluid heater couples with the fluid circuit to provide heating fluid, e.g., to the central compartment. The heating fluid disperses throughout the heating compartment and into the sleeves, thereby direction heating fluid in thermal proximity to the hoses and other components that handle the fuel additive.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide methods and systems for delivering a prosthesis to a target location in a lumenal system of a patient. At least one tether is secured proximate the target location to serve as a rail, and a prosthesis is advanced along the rail to the target location and secured in place. Exemplary methods and systems provide for repair of the mitral and tricuspid valves, as well as abdominal aortic aneurysms, stomach valves, fallopian tubes and the pulmonary system, among others. Also disclosed are various prostheses suitable for use with the disclosed methods and systems.

Abstract: A non-contact optical probe for inspecting an inside surface of a cylindrical workpiece includes a laser source that emits an incident light beam, a polarizing beam splitter that transmits one polarization of the incident beam and reflects the opposite polarization, and a quarter wave plate that together with the polarizing beam splitter separates back reflected return light from the incident laser beam. The non-contact optical probe further includes an optical system that directs the incident laser beam onto the cylinder surface and directs reflected light from the surface back to the beam splitter, and at least one detector that receives a portion of the reflected light and generates data about the cylinder surface.

Abstract: A memory apparatus and methods are provided for preventing read errors on weak pages in a non-volatile memory system. In one example, a method includes identifying a weak page in a non-volatile memory device along a word line, wherein the weak page is partially written with at least some data; buffering data associated with the weak page to a weak page buffer that is coupled in communication with the non-volatile memory device; determining that an amount of data in the weak page buffer has reached a predetermined data level; and writing the data from the weak page buffer into the weak page along the word line in the non-volatile memory device.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for managing and collecting receivables are disclosed. Such a method includes providing at least one pre-existing account with first account information, the first account information having first account party data and providing at least one new account, each new account comprising new account information, the new account information having new account party data. The method also includes determining whether the first account party data of the pre-existing account matches the new account party data of the at least one new account and if so, tying the at least one new account with the matching pre-existing account to create a tied account. The method further includes calculating a score for any unmatched new account and any tied account based on at least one financial parameter and applying one or more collection strategies.

Abstract: A block suitable for use in paving, edging or wall applications comprises a lower portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a first width, and an upper portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a second width. The second width is smaller than the first width of the lower portion, and the side faces of the upper portion are angled relative to the side faces of the lower portion. The block further comprises a transition portion between the upper and lower portions, having at least one slanted side extending between one or more sides of the lower portion and one or more sides, respectively, of the upper portion.