Abstract: The present invention is related to the use of ethylene alkanoate-alkyl acrylate bipolymers with a high randomness monomers distribution, which are synthesized by semicontinuous emulsion polymerization process, characterized because it is carried out using slow addition rate of the pre-emulsion feeding ({dot over (q)}?0.009 kgL·L?1·min?1), stabilized this last one by alkyl glycol ether type surfactants, at temperatures higher than 75° C. and with solids contents above 25 wt %, which avoids the formation of large sequences (blocks) of a same monomer. This structural characteristic gives the ethylene alkanoate-alkyl acrylate bipolymers a high efficiency as chemical agents for removal of complex water/crude oil emulsions of crude oil blends.

Abstract: Curved airflow plate fins deployed upon rockets to guide the trajectory under the action of given forces. The fins are comprise relatively high gauge metal. They are located on the rocket in a triangular arrangement. When deployed. the fins contribute to deceleration and breaking. The airflow plates can be extended outwardly from their housing, and then rotated transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rocket. The airflow plate fins have geometric openings to improve their performance against incoming forces given that under supersonic speed. Their curved shape increases the capabilities of friction between the forces acting against them.

Abstract: A brake device for installation on an axle of wheels including a piston; a casing accommodating at least the piston; a container; a first cast iron disc and a second cast iron disc, joined to the container; a first brake lining; a first supporting disc on which the first brake lining is located; and a bearing fixed to the central cylindrical wall of the container around the axle. The container and the casing remain fixed without rotating about the axle and the first brake lining together with the first supporting disc are fixed to the axle. The piston is further configured to displace the container together with the two cast iron discs towards the first brake lining until the first cast iron disc makes contact with the first brake lining. The container includes an inner circuit configured to accommodate a coolant.

Abstract: A brake device, configured to be installed directly on a driving axle or through a hub, wherein said device includes a first brake disc joined to the axle sharing rotary motion, a first container disc and a second container disc configured to be moved in the axial direction of said axle. The container discs are positioned on each side of the brake disc, such that both are configured to be moved in the axial direction towards the linings of the first brake disc and to exert a pushing pressure thereon, producing the braking of the brake disc and, therefore, of the driving axle whereon it is assembled. Furthermore, the container discs comprise an inner circuit configured to accommodate the passage of a coolant configured to cool them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for a brake device, comprising a case, a cylindrical tubular filtering element and a dismantlable axial fastening system. The filtering element is located inside the case and the case includes a cylindrical tubular lateral wall having two opposite end edges, a first and a second. The filtering element sits on an internal surface of the lateral wall of the case. The dismantlable axial fastening system provides axial fastening of the filter when same is assembled in the brake device, axial fastening of the filtering element inside the case, and means for assembling and dismantling the filter. The purpose of the filter is to collect all the particles harmful to health that are released each time the brake device brakes, preventing said particles from being transferred to the air that is breathed.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power to a set of drivers that charge and discharge a set of electrochromic devices is described. One apparatus includes a multi-source power supply with at least a set of batteries, a driver interface to supply the power to the set of drivers and controller circuitry. The controller circuit determines a power state of the multi-source power supply. The controller circuit limits the set of drivers to a first total amount of power or a second total amount of power, supplied by the multi-source power supply in a switching state of at least one of the set of electrochromic devices, while the multi-source power supply is in a first power state or a second power state, respectively.

Abstract: A distributed energy management system (EMS) for supplying power to a set of drivers that charge and discharge a set of electrochromic devices is described. One distributed EMS includes an external power supply interface to couple to an external power supply, a multi-device boost power supply comprising a set of batteries, and a driver interface to supply power to a set of drivers that charge and discharge a set of electrochromic devices. The distributed EMS also includes a communication subsystem to communicate with the set of drivers and EMS circuitry to supply power to the set of drivers, via the driver interface, based on a power state of the multi-device boost power supply and a state of the set of electrochromic devices.

Abstract: A distributed energy management system (EMS) for supplying power to a set of drivers that charge and discharge a set of electrochromic devices is described. One distributed EMS includes an external power supply interface to couple to an external power supply, a multi-device boost power supply comprising a set of batteries, and a driver interface to supply power to a set of drivers that charge and discharge a set of electrochromic devices. The distributed EMS also includes a communication subsystem to communicate with the set of drivers and EMS circuitry to supply power to the set of drivers, via the driver interface, based on a power state of the multi-device boost power supply and a state of the set of electrochromic devices.

Abstract: A brake device for installation on an axle of wheels including a piston; a casing accommodating at least the piston; a container; a first cast iron disc and a second cast iron disc, joined to the container; a first brake lining; a first supporting disc on which the first brake lining is located; and a bearing fixed to the central cylindrical wall of the container around the axle. The container and the casing remain fixed without rotating about the axle and the first brake lining together with the first supporting disc are fixed to the axle. The piston is further configured to displace the container together with the two cast iron discs towards the first brake lining until the first cast iron disc makes contact with the first brake lining. The container includes an inner circuit configured to accommodate a coolant.

Abstract: A heat containment apparatus may include a housing having an access gap, the housing being formed of an insulating material. Alternatively, a heat containment apparatus includes a housing being an expandable structure having an access gap, the housing including an insulating material. Heat containment apparatuses may be used in conjunction with performing high temperature operations and/or low temperature operations to at least portions of substrates contained therein.

Abstract: Provided is a bone fixation plate, which is based on a divergent, biplanar and segmental concept which consists in the use of self-stable screws with a divergent biplanar arrangement by segments, wherein each segment is composed by self-stable screws which diverge certain degrees to each other, ending thereby located on different fixation planes. Thus, the divergent biplanar fixation favors the stability in relation to torsional loads in locked systems, since unlike the fixation with cortical screws where the bone helps to support the loads by having an implant-bone contact, when self-stable screws are used the loads are transmitted in the interface between them and the implant, being very prone to “cutting out” and the fracture of the screws when these are located in only one fixation plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device used for centering a plate during orthopedic surgery, especially of the distal radius, where said plate centering device is manufactured from polymeric, highly elastic material that allows it to adapt to different bone morphologies. Thus, the plate centering device is used in orthopedic surgery, particularly in those related to peri-articular fractures, in which the commonly used practice is to attach the plate starting at the epiphysiary zone, where it is common to lose the plate's orientation with the remaining bone hence difficulting the fracture's reduction, making the surgical process more complicated. The plate centering device, by being elastic, wraps around the bone at the diaphysary portion, guaranteeing that the plate does not lose its orientation while it is being attached to the epiphisary portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides for a solid-state battery, and methods of fabricating embodiments of the solid-state battery. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include an electrode for a solid-state battery, the electrode including: a current collector region including a conductive, lithium electroactive material; and a plurality of nanowires contacting the current collector region.

Abstract: Method and system for performing transactions between buyers and suppliers, which by means of a transactions server centralise and supervise each one of the phases involved in the complete transactions, guarantying that an order made by a buyer to a supplier and a carrier is paid for and guarantying that the buyer does not pay the supplier and carrier until he has received the order under the agreed conditions. The process is completely automatic and establishes condition of sale and timeframes, which may be negotiated between the parties but which, once agreed, become binding for all parties concerned. The lender awards purchase credits to the buyers, so that once the agreed conditions and timeframes have been fulfilled, the corresponding payments may be made automatically.

Abstract: A heat containment apparatus may include a housing having an access window, the housing being formed, at least in part, of an insulating material. Alternatively, a heat containment apparatus includes a housing being an expandable structure having an access window, the housing including an insulating material. Heat containment apparatuses may be used in conjunction with performing high temperature operations and/or low temperature operations to at least portions of substrates contained therein.

Abstract: A heat containment apparatus may include a housing having an access gap, the housing being formed of an insulating material. Alternatively, a heat containment apparatus includes a housing being an expandable structure having an access gap, the housing including an insulating material. Heat containment apparatuses may be used in conjunction with performing high temperature operations and/or low temperature operations to at least portions of substrates contained therein.

Abstract: A system for managing restaurant crew member staffing comprises a computer having memory for receiving configuration data corresponding to a restaurant associated with a group of restaurants, first data corresponding to a projected consumer demand for items at the restaurant over a time increment, and second data corresponding to a historical consumer demand for items at the restaurant over the time increment, a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program adapted to dynamically determine a quantity of crew members needed and a position for each crew member determined to be needed to staff each of a plurality of work areas at the restaurant over a plurality of the time increments based on the configuration data, the first data, and the second data, and a computer display for displaying the quantity of crew members needed to meet the projected consumer demand over the plurality of time increments, and the work areas to which each of the determined quantity of crew members should be assigned.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing restaurant crew member staffing and positioning are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises the steps of receiving at a computer processor from a database configuration data corresponding to a restaurant associated with a group of restaurants, receiving at the computer processor from the database first data corresponding to a projected consumer demand for items at the restaurant over a time increment, adjusting using the computer processor a transaction capability for a quantity of crew members required to fulfill the projected consumer demand while taking into account the configuration data, the adjustment accounting for differences between the projected consumer demand at the restaurant to a historical consumer demand associated with the group of restaurants, and dynamically determining using the computer processor the quantity of crew members needed over a predicted time increment based on the adjusted transaction capability.

Abstract: A hand-held exercise apparatus is provided. The hand-held exercise apparatus includes a body portion having a bar to allow a user to grip the apparatus, and a housing portion configured to sit atop of the body portion to receive a weight portion, wherein the weight portion is removable.

Abstract: Signal processing systems and methods are described that include a multi-analog receiver front end with adaptive filtering. The multi-analog receiver front end uses two or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to remove additive electrical noise present in the analog front end. The multiple ADCs are followed in the signal processing path by digital statistical signal processing. The multi-analog receiver front end adaptively determines the passband of a digital filter in a system with input signals having a wide frequency range of interest, and controls filtering of the input signals to the narrow frequency range that includes an input signal. The multi-analog receiver front end, through removal of additive noise, provides higher signal-to-noise ratios for a given power dissipation and chip area when compared to receiver front ends which do not use the multiple ADCs.