Abstract: A system and method for stimulating light sensors (e.g., UV) using a hand-held stimulator. The hand-held stimulator is portable and configurable to store a plurality of routines comprising various light signatures. In some cases, the signature is a threat signature (e.g., missile, RPG, and/or gunfire) and the stimulator is used as part of system integration, field and flight line, and/or lab testing for systems utilizing light sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-processing a transaction within a transit system by providing virtual access to transit machine functionality. A method may include generating virtual access data associated with one or more transit machines. The method may also include serving the virtual access data to a portable electronic device, receiving, from the portable electronic device, at least one selection made using at least one input functionality, and in response to receiving the at least one selection, sending a transaction identifier to the portable electronic device, the transaction identifier corresponding to the transaction. The method may further include receiving, at one of the one or more transit machines, user input indicating the transaction identifier and pre-processing the transaction with the at least one selection by modifying data associated with the transaction to include the at least one selection.

Abstract: Subsea power sources and related systems include a housing having at least one first magnetic member, an internal member having at least one second magnetic member, and at least one elastic member positioned in the housing. Movement of the one or more second magnetic members relative to the one or more first magnetic members, which can be obtained by positioning the power source in a subsea environment such that forces therein contact and move the housing or internal member, produces an electromagnetic output for powering a subsea object. Contact between the internal member and one or more elastic members causes the one or more elastic members to impart a force to the internal member to facilitate continued movement and power generation. Power generated in this manner or through other means is usable to operate a subsea kill plant, usable to kill a well or operate a subsea blowout preventer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing consumer-specific communication based on cultural-normalization techniques. The method includes obtaining information about the consumer using an interactive interface, receiving an identification of a consumer-selected language and an output format selection, providing plain-language output information in the consumer-selected language and output format, presenting questions, by a query/interrogation unit, regarding the plain-language output information, acquiring responses to the presented questions, and ascertaining an understanding of the plain-language output information based on the acquired responses. The system includes a controller, an interactive interface unit, a format selection unit, a language selection unit providing content in a user-selected language, a query/interrogation unit, and a response evaluation unit analyzing responses to determine a user's literacy level.

Abstract: A system for harnessing energy created by a region of aerodynamic drag of a moving vehicle. The system comprises at least one traveling surface (such as a roadway or runway) having an intended direction of travel, and at least one turbine assembly having a shaft, a plurality of air-engaging members fixed to the shaft, and an axis of rotation concentrically aligned with the shaft. The turbine assembly is positioned proximal to the at least one traveling surface to intersect the region of aerodynamic drag created by the moving vehicle.

Abstract: Subsea power sources and related systems include a housing having at least one first magnetic member, an internal member having at least one second magnetic member, and at least one elastic member positioned in the housing. Movement of the one or more second magnetic members relative to the one or more first magnetic members, which can be obtained by positioning the power source in a subsea environment such that forces therein contact and move the housing or internal member, produces an electromagnetic output for powering a subsea object. Contact between the internal member and one or more elastic members causes the one or more elastic members to impart a force to the internal member to facilitate continued movement and power generation. Power generated in this manner or through other means is usable to operate a subsea kill plant, usable to kill a well or operate a subsea blowout preventer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing consumer-specific communication based on cultural-normalization techniques. The method includes obtaining information about the consumer using an interactive interface, receiving an identification of a consumer-selected language and an output format selection, providing plain-language output information in the consumer-selected language and output format, presenting questions, by a query/interrogation unit, regarding the plain-language output information, acquiring responses to the presented questions, and ascertaining an understanding of the plain-language output information based on the acquired responses. The system includes a controller, an interactive interface unit, a format selection unit, a language selection unit providing content in a user-selected language, a query/interrogation unit, and a response evaluation unit analyzing responses to determine a user's literacy level.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the mining and mineral treatment industry. Specifically, it relates to a solution composition that permits the use of thiourea. Specifically, the patent refers to a process to form a solution that improves, on one hand, the velocity of gold and silver extraction, from minerals and other materials that contain them, improving the stability of the thiourea in the leaching solution and, on the other, the direct electrorecovery of said metals from the aforementioned solution. The invention consists of the leaching solution that, beforehand or simultaneously, has been subjected to a controlled electro-oxidation to produce formamidine disulfide (FADS) which acts as an oxidizing agent for the mineral phases that contain the gold and silver. In the preferred mode, the FADS is present as 10 to 30% of the total thiourea contained in the solution and the electrodeposition of the metals is performed in the same cell (cathodic compartment) in which the FADS is formed (anodic compartment).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sea water desalination installation that employs an evaporation-condensation system which operates continuously at a low temperature and which enables the recovery of energy released. The inventive installation comprises a cylindrical evaporator having a large evaporation surface and a concentric condenser with a large surface area. Sea water is used to cool the condenser and said water is subsequently sent to the evaporator. A static high-pressure ventilator is used to: (i) drive the vapour/air in a closed circuit between the evaporator and the condenser and (ii), using a calibrated nozzle, create a pressure gradient that is equivalent to the pressure of the saturated vapour at working temperature between said two zones. The aforementioned evaporator and condenser are thermally insulated in relation to one another and to the external environment.