Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor system for oxidative coupling of methane (OCM), comprising: reactor system for oxidative coupling of methane (OCM), comprising: (a) an inlet configured to receive a reactant mixture; (b) a reaction chamber having an upstream end and a downstream end such that the reaction chamber extends from the upstream end to the downstream end, and the reaction chamber comprises a catalyst bed having a catalyst composition having at least two catalyst components: (i) a low selectivity catalyst component; and (ii) a high selectivity catalyst component; and (c) an outlet configured to recover a C2+ hydrocarbon product mixture from the reactor system; wherein the reactor system is configured such that the reactant mixture substantially contacts the high selectivity catalyst component prior to contacting the low selectivity catalyst component. The invention further describes a process for the production of C2+ hydrocarbon product mixture using the present reactor system.

Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device is described. The drive train includes a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle, a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism adapted to expel the liquid drug, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and including a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage. The clutch element is adapted to transmit the torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, or alternatively from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism. The ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage. The drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks visco-elastically and/or visco-frictionally.

Abstract: A universal adapter for enabling truss foundations to support conventional single-axis trackers. In some cases, the adapter has a main body with an upper portion that presents a standard I-beam interface with pre-drilled holes to interface to a specific single-axis tracker. A pair of connecting portions point down and away from the main body and enable upper leg sections to connect the adapter to a pair of driven screw anchors located below it. The connecting portions may orient the truss so that the rotational axis of the single-axis tracker is aligned with the work point of the truss foundation made from the adapter, upper legs, and driven screw anchors. This will enable to the truss to interface with many different trackers much like conventional plumb-driven H-pile foundations.

Abstract: A machine for rotary driving screw anchors into underlying ground and related. The machine has a mast with a rotary driver and a mandrel driver oriented on a common axis. The mandrel driver passes a mandrel through the rotary driver and the screw anchor to allow the mandrel to be actuated ahead of the screw anchor while the rotary driver drives the screw anchor into the ground. Alternatively, the mandrel driver may also drive a hammering drill through the screw anchor to clear a path ahead of it through subsurface rocks.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes determining when a vehicle has arrived at a destination and performing a first authentication process when it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination. The first authentication process being arranged to authenticate a first party to enable the first party to interact with the vehicle. The method also includes determining when the first party has successfully completed the first authentication process, performing a second process when it is determined that the first party has successfully completed the first authentication process, determining whether the second process is successfully completed, and enabling the first party to interact with the vehicle when it is determined that the second process is successfully completed. Performing the second process includes determining when the first party is present within the sensing zone. The first authentication process and the second process are contactless with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for activating a catalyst is described comprising the steps of: (i) installing a reduced and passivated catalyst containing crystallites of a catalytic metal comprising nickel, cobalt or iron in elemental form encapsulated by a layer comprising an oxide of the catalytic metal in a reactor, such as a steam methane reforming reactor, in which it is to be used, and (ii) heating the reduced and passivated catalyst in the reactor under a vacuum or an inert gas to a temperature in the range (TT?X) to (TT+Y), where TT is the Tammann temperature of the catalytic metal in elemental form in degrees Centigrade, X is 400 and Y is 200, to form a catalytically active surface on the catalyst without requiring the application of a reducing gas.

Abstract: A foundation system for manufactured homes, prefabricated houses, and other structures. Multiple screw anchors are driven into the ground at the desired location of the structure. Preformed grade bars may be placed over the screw anchors to provide a modular foundation without pouring concrete or digging footers. Alternatively, adapters may be attached to one or more of the driven screw anchors to provide a pedestal to receive the grade bar or prefabricated sections of concrete.

Abstract: Conventional high performance computer connections are electron-based systems, which require the memory packages to be as close as mechanically possible to the computation engine. Low power and high bandwidth communication, e.g. photonic, links can drastically change the architecture of high-performance computers by eliminating the bottlenecks in communication and augment existing memory systems to allow them to be both high capacity and high bandwidth simultaneously.

Abstract: A button for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a plate-like button body forming a touch surface, wherein the plate-like button body is coupled by an axial supporting member to a noise-generating interface of the drug delivery device and movable into a longitudinal direction of the drug delivery device, wherein the plate-like button body includes a material composite with at least one first component consisting of a first material and at least one second component consisting of a second material different from the first material, wherein the at least one first component and the at least one second component are coupled via at least one coupling plane that is at least sectionwise slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Further, the disclosure describes a button assembly for a drug delivery device which is shock resistant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for are provided for predicting impending failure of a database and preemptively initiating mitigating failover actions, for example by shedding connections or redirecting connection requests to an alternate database that can fulfill resources being requested. In an example embodiment, to detect a slow or unstable database, connection wait times are monitored over a rolling window of time intervals, a quantity of intervals in which at least one excessive wait time event occurred are counted during the time window, and if the quantity exceeds a threshold, the database is deemed unavailable, thereby triggering connection adjustments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide smart alerts to users, e.g., alerts to users about diabetic states that are only provided when it makes sense to do so, e.g., when the system can predict or estimate that the user is not already cognitively aware of their current condition, e.g., particularly where the current condition is a diabetic state warranting attention. In this way, the alert or alarm is personalized and made particularly effective for that user. Such systems and methods still alert the user when action is necessary, e.g., a bolus or temporary basal rate change, or provide a response to a missed bolus or a need for correction, but do not alert when action is unnecessary, e.g., if the user is already estimated or predicted to be cognitively aware of the diabetic state warranting attention, or if corrective action was already taken.

Abstract: A reactor (12) and method for the conversion of hydrocarbons utilizes a reactor (12) having a unique feed assembly (56) that creates an inwardly spiraling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a conduit (46) with a constricted neck portion or nozzle (52). At least a portion of the swirling gas mixture forms a thin, annular mixed gas flow layer immediately adjacent to the conduit (46). A portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted as the swirling gas mixture passes through the conduit (46) for conversion of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A computing device provides a task user interface that includes a first task for a driver a first location associated with the first task of a transport service. The device determines that a current location of the computing device is within a threshold distance or a threshold estimated travel time from the first location and provides a task panel including information specific to the first task, one or more selectable sub-task features, and a selectable feature that the driver selects to indicate that the first task has been completed. The device can receive a user input corresponding to a selection of the selectable feature and provide a second task of the transport service a second location associated with the second task.

Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor (12) and method for the pyrolysis of hydrocarbon gases (e.g., methane) utilizes a pyrolysis reactor (12) having a unique burner assembly (44) and pyrolysis feed assembly (56) that creates an inwardly spiraling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a burner conduit (46) with a constricted neck portion or nozzle (52). At least a portion of the swirling gas mixture forms a thin, annular mixed gas flow layer immediately adjacent to the burner conduit (46). A portion of the swirling gas mixture is combusted as the swirling gas mixture passes through the burner conduit (46) and a portion of combustion products circulates in the burner assembly (44). This provides conditions suitable for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons or light alkane gas, such as methane or natural gas.

Abstract: Certain examples of the present technology provide a process providing realistic scenario based full mission profile support for full spectrum technical operations. The technical operations include one or more of Exercise Support and Training, Test and Evaluation Assessments and Events, and Technical Counter Surveillance Measures (TSCM) Assessments. The process may allow for personnel to provide complete exercise support packages, role player management, test plans, TSCM plans, and have the ability to quickly adapt to changing performance requirements on the fly based on the required input into the system in the beginning stages of the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor system for oxidative coupling of methane (OCM), comprising: reactor system for oxidative coupling of methane (OCM), comprising: (a) an inlet configured to receive a reactant mixture; (b) a reaction chamber having an upstream end and a downstream end such that the reaction chamber extends from the upstream end to the downstream end, and the reaction chamber comprises a catalyst bed having a catalyst composition having at least two catalyst components: (i) a low selectivity catalyst component; and (ii) a high selectivity catalyst component; and (c) an outlet configured to recover a C2+ hydrocarbon product mixture from the reactor system; wherein the reactor system is configured such that the reactant mixture substantially contacts the high selectivity catalyst component prior to contacting the low selectivity catalyst component. The invention further describes a process for the production of C2+ hydrocarbon product mixture using the present reactor system.

Abstract: A multilayer supported oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalyst composition (alpha-Al2O3 support, first single oxide layer, one or more mixed oxide layers, optional second single oxide layer) characterized by formula AaZbEcDdOx/alpha-Al2O3; A is alkaline earth metal; Z is first rare earth element; E is second rare earth element; D is redox agent/third rare earth element; the first, second, third rare earth element are not the same; a=1.0; b=0.1-10.0; c=0.1-10.0; d=0-10.0; x balances oxidation states; first single oxide layer (Zb1Ox1, b1=0.1-10.0; x1 balances oxidation states) contacts alpha-Al2O3 support and one or more mixed oxide layers; one or more mixed oxide layers (Aa2Zb2Ec2Dd2Ox2, a2=1.0; b2=0.1-10.0; c2=0.1-10.0; d2=0-10.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemical reactor (100) having (a) two or more gas reactor elements (12) with each gas reactor element (12) having (i) a first reaction chamber (38), and (ii) a feed assembly unit (36), (b) a second reaction chamber (20) coupled with each of the two or more gas reactor elements (12) and configured to independently receive two or more product streams from the two or more gas reactor elements (12); and optionally, (c) a gas converging section (40) located downstream to the second reaction chamber (20). The invention is further directed to a method of producing chemical products using the chemical reactor (100) of the present invention.

Abstract: A reactor and method for the conversion of hydrocarbon gases utilizes a reactor (12, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712) having a unique feed assembly with an original vortex combustion chamber (40, 340, 436, 536, 636, 736), a diverging conduit (48, 348, 448, 548, 648, 748), and a cylindrical reactor chamber (40, 340, 436, 536, 636, 736). This design creates a compact combustion zone and an inwardly swirling fluid flow pattern of the feed gases to form a swirling gas mixture that passes through a diverging conduit (48, 348, 448, 548, 648, 748). The feed streams can be introduced into the reactor at any angle (perpendicular, axial, or something between, or a combination of the above forms) with swirling flow components. This provides conditions suitable for efficient cracking of hydrocarbons, such as ethane, to form olefins.