Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and structures deploy a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy optimization program. A standard operating control platform (OCP) is deployed in an energy optimization control engine (EOCE) computing system communicatively coupled to a plurality of HVAC components via a building automation system (BAS). An energy optimization portal (EOP), which receives from the EOCE computing system a first data set identifying the plurality of HVAC components, a second data set including operational control parameters for each of the plurality of HVAC components, and a third data set including measured operations data associated with each of the plurality of HVAC components. The EOP generates an energy optimized operating control platform based on the first, second, and third data sets, which is automatically communicated from the EOP to the EOCE computing system.

Abstract: A fish hook assembly that includes a substantially hemispherical or polyhedron head with an eye and a weed guard extending from the head. A round bead is in physical contact with at least the weed guard so that underwater obstructions that would normally get snagged on the eye and/or weed guard will roll away over the bead.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a composition for facilitating transdermal delivery of vitamin D while preventing UV light from reaching user skin includes a concentration of cholecalciferol within a range of about 10 IU/g to about 40,000 IU/g. The composition includes one or more metal oxides such as zinc oxide and/or one or more titanium oxides which function to prevent (or at least limit) UV light from reaching user skin. The metal oxide(s) are provided at a concentration within a range of about 10% to about 50% by weight of the total composition.

Abstract: A fish hook assembly that includes a substantially hemispherical or polyhedron head with an eye and a weed guard extending from the head. A round bead is in physical contact with at least the weed guard so that underwater obstructions that would normally get snagged on the eye and/or weed guard will roll away over the bead.

Abstract: A fish hook assembly that includes a rounded bead affixed in the notch between the eye of the hook and an intermediary object, such as a weed guard, fish attractor component, weighted head, or bend. Underwater obstructions that would normally get snagged in the notch will roll away over the bead.

Abstract: A method and a system for polishing a wafer is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes generating atmospheric plasma. The method further includes treating a component of a wafer processing system with the atmospheric plasma. The method further includes delivering a slurry containing abrasive and corrosive particles to a surface of the wafer processing system which includes atmospheric plasma-treated component. The method further includes polishing a wafer with the abrasive and corrosive particles.

Abstract: Apparatus for automating a high volume instrument (HVI) used for the classification of all Upland and American Pima cotton, including determining trash and color. A sub-sample delivery tube sub-system and a sample drum air chamber sub-system allow the HVI to receive sub-samples from an automated cotton system. A delivery tube, with an air dissipater, delivers the automated sub-sample to the HVI sample drum while an air chamber below the sample drum applies a negative air pressure to the drum. A sub-sample air-knife extraction sub-system and an autoMIC transfer tube assist sub-system allow the HVI to release automated sub-samples after the sample drum in the HVI has completed its operations on the sub-sample. An air-knife applies air jets to the sample plate of the HVI sample drum to release the sub-sample. As the sub-sample leaves the drum an air jet is actuated to push the sub-sample along a transfer tube.

Abstract: The present invention is a leak detection and location system that includes a waterproofing membrane; an underlayment disposed directly below the waterproofing membrane, wherein the underlayment is non-conductive and will become conductive only when saturated; a conductive layer disposed below the underlayment; a voltage source attached to the upper side of the waterproofing membrane and the lower side of the underlayment; a test set with two handheld poles and an indicator that indicates a difference between voltages detected by the handheld poles; and a device that creates an electrical field across the waterproofing membrane.

Abstract: Generally in a computing environment, executing work based on time (i.e. according to a predetermined schedule) is a common need. However, in cloud based systems, scheduled work may be expensive to customers as generally customers rent system resources. Thus, having a processor dedicated to performing actions that have been pre-scheduled can be expensive. This application describes using a continuation-based runtime for scheduling time-bound and/or periodic work in a distributed (i.e. cloud) system. A system architecture and computer-implemented method are described that deploy an environment-independent action to a remote-based system (such as a cloud computing system, for example). The action is limited to using a predetermined amount of resources and is limited to simple, non-cpu intensive orchestrations of network calls.

Abstract: Apparatus for a cotton sampling system. The system includes a first station that provides a stream of samples to a main conveyor. The main conveyor routes the samples to a testing station that includes a sub-sampler, an automated cotton containment mechanism, an indexer, and an HVI. The conveyors include a shroud that moves samples over and under the conveyor. In this way samples that need to be retested pass to the testing station after failing the first test. The sub-sampler includes a walking beam mechanism to advance the samples into a fiber extraction mechanism. The automated cotton containment mechanism includes a gate valve and a diverter valve. The gate valve has a normal position configured to allow passage of cotton fibers, but blocking clumps. Upon detection of a clump, the diverter valve operates and the gate valve opens so that the clump is diverted to a waste receptacle.

Abstract: A first printed circuit board (PCB) assembly can include an embedded electrical connector configured to be mechanically coupled to a corresponding tab-shaped portion of a second PCB assembly, such as to permit insertion of the tab-shaped portion of the second PCB assembly into the embedded electrical connector when the second PCB assembly is aligned in a specified orientation. In an example, the second PCB assembly can include an approximately planar conductive antenna.

Abstract: The system of the present invention is used for detecting and locating leaks in a roofing envelope that includes an insulation package. The system includes at least two contacts disposed within the roofing envelope, where at least one contact is active and at least one is passive. The active contact is capable of emitting an electric signal of a known voltage, and the passive contact is capable of reading voltage at the location of the passive contact. All contacts are in electrical communication with a computer.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for creating and manipulating custom compound data types in declarative programs. The present invention allows a developer to create and use custom compound data types without requiring the custom type to be specifically defined (e.g. via registering a custom assembly) in the underlying framework. This is accomplished by providing a data container that is configurable to represent virtually any combination of primitive or compound types defined within the framework. The present invention also provides a declarative model for interacting with data containers representing custom compound data types. This declarative model employs a path-based syntax (or other type of syntax) for accessing the elements of a custom compound data type. Multiple paths can be defined within a single unit of developer input so that multiple elements of a custom data type can be manipulated by the single unit of input.

Abstract: Apparatus for a cotton sample acquisition and tracking system. The system includes a loading station in which a pair of primary sample halves are loaded in a carrier. The primary samples are identified and transported to a sub-sample station that extracts a sub-sample from the primary sample. The sub-samples are conditioned and transported to various testing stations. The primary samples are transported via a conveyor system. The sub-samples are transported through a pneumatic system. The sub-sample station advances the primary sample against a pick drum that pulls tufts from the primary sample. The tufts flow through a cotton containment system into an indexer that collects, conditions, and routes the tufts as a sub-sample. The sub-samples are staged in a carousel for continued conditioning and storage until the test equipment is ready to process the sub-sample.

Abstract: The present invention is systems and methods for detecting and locating leaks in roofing membranes and roof flashing. The systems include a conductive mesh underneath the roofing membrane and/or a conductive medium behind the roof flashing; attractor cables; and a reversible power supply attached to the conductive mesh/medium and attractor cables. The roofing membrane system also includes sensors, which may be wireless. The systems are controlled by a computer.

Abstract: The present invention is systems and methods for detecting and locating leaks in roofing membranes and roof flashing. The systems include a conductive mesh underneath the roofing membrane and/or a conductive medium behind the roof flashing; attractor cables; and a reversible power supply attached to the conductive mesh/medium and attractor cables. The roofing membrane system also includes sensors, which may be wireless. The systems are controlled by a computer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for detecting and locating leaks in a roofing membrane. The mean net voltage from an emitting electrode activated by and connected to the positive side of a power supply, when a conductive mesh disposed beneath the membrane is connected to the negative side of the power supply, is compared with the mean reference voltage from the emitting electrode when a reference electrode is connected to the negative side of the power supply in place of the conductive mesh. If the mean net voltage is greater than or equal to the mean reference voltage, then a leak is indicated.

Abstract: The present invention is systems and methods for detecting and locating leaks in roofing membranes and roof flashing. The systems include a conductive mesh underneath the roofing membrane and/or a conductive medium behind the roof flashing; attractor cables; and a reversible power supply attached to the conductive mesh/medium and attractor cables. The roofing membrane system also includes sensors, which may be wireless. The systems are controlled by a computer.

Abstract: The present invention is systems and methods for detecting and locating leaks in roofing membranes and roof flashing. The systems include a conductive mesh underneath the roofing membrane and/or a conductive medium behind the roof flashing; attractor cables; and a reversible power supply attached to the conductive mesh/medium and attractor cables. The roofing membrane system also includes sensors, which may be wireless. The systems are controlled by a computer.

Abstract: A system for detecting and locating a leak through a membrane that includes a detector array, a signal generator, a flexible sheet over-membrane, a conductive felt, and a computer. The detector array includes a boundary wire loop and sensors. The signal generator applies voltage to the boundary wire loop. The conductive felt is applied on top of the detector array. The flexible sheet over-membrane is applied on top of the conductive felt. At least the downward, detector array-facing side of the over-membrane is non-conductive. The computer is in electrical communication with the boundary wire loop, the sensors, and the signal generator.