Abstract: The present invention describes a method to remove metals present in a mixture comprising one or more organic amines comprising the step of contacting the mixture with a silica-polyethyleneimine adsorbent.

Abstract: The invention provides a device comprising a glove, wrist coupler, finger sleeve, light emitter, and actuator for a hands-free illumination of an area. The device may be worn on a user's hand, where an adjustable light mount may be configured. The glove may have a wrist coupler attached to the end in the vicinity of the wrist to allow for the storage of batteries. The finger sleeve may be configured to receive the index finger of the user's hand. The light emitter is directed away from the first end of the panel and is attached to an adjustable light mount. The actuator may be electrically coupled to the light emitter. The light emitter is turned on or off when the actuator is actuated.

Abstract: A retaining wall system includes a plurality of large mass retaining blocks formed with vertically oriented openings passing therethrough for the installation of micro-pile soldier piles. The retaining blocks can be formed of pre-cast concrete and stacked vertically so that the vertical openings are aligned for the installation of micro-pile soldier piles through the stacked retaining blocks and into the bedrock below the retaining blocks. The micro-pile soldier piles can include a steel casing that is installed through the aligned vertical openings to terminate at the bedrock with grout filling the steel casing except for optional reinforcement. The retaining blocks can be formed with cutout key openings that allow concrete to be inserted to provide a key interlock between adjacent retaining blocks to further stabilize the retaining wall. The retaining wall can also include a row of waler blocks that incorporate a pair of tie-back anchors for each waler block.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for adjusting a center of mass of a drone may include a balance track and a repositionable weight. The balance track may be configured to extend outwardly from a central region of the drone. The balance track may include a plurality of weight-balance fixation positions. The repositionable weight may be configured to be secured at any one of the plurality of weight-balance fixation positions. In various embodiments the repositionable weight may include an electronic component. Various embodiments may include a another balance track configured to extend outwardly from the central region along a second axis that is different from a first axis of the other balance track.

Abstract: A method controls an air handler that generates heated air from hot water generated by a water heater. The method includes generating a signal in the presence or absence of an indicia of water flow associated with the water heater; initiating operation of a pump associated with the air handler when the signal indicates that water flow associated with the water heater is at least at a selected level to supply hot water to the air handler sufficient to generate heated air; and/or terminating operation of the pump and/or a blower/fan associated with the air handler when the presence or absence signal indicates that the water flow associated with the water heater is less than the selected level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating linear models from historic crop yield reports and end of year crop estimates based on geo-spatial crop yield reports and a large plurality of index vectors wherein a large percentage of the index vectors are based on weather data variables and heuristic domain specific formulas that use weather data variables from a geo-spatially encoded weather data variable production system via incremental feature selection of index vectors and a crop yield predictor that determines a crop yield prediction and range of potential predictions via the use of principal component analysis of the weather data variable time series used in said plurality of index vectors and heuristic domain specific formulas.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for adjusting a center of mass of a drone may include a balance track and a repositionable weight. The balance track may be configured to extend outwardly from a central region of the drone. The balance track may include a plurality of weight-balance fixation positions. The repositionable weight may be configured to be secured at any one of the plurality of weight-balance fixation positions. In various embodiments the repositionable weight may include an electronic component. Various embodiments may include a another balance track configured to extend outwardly from the central region along a second axis that is different from a first axis of the other balance track.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for adjusting a center of mass of a drone may include a balance track and a repositionable weight. The balance track may extend outwardly from a central region of the drone. The balance track may include a plurality of weight-balance fixation positions. The repositionable weight may be configured to be secured at any one of the plurality of weight-balance fixation positions. Various embodiments may include receiving a weight-distribution input relating to balancing the drone. A weight-distribution balance profile may be determined, based on the weight-distribution input, for determining whether a repositionable weight should be repositioned among a plurality of weight-balance fixation positions on a balance track extending outwardly from a central region of the drone. The repositionable weight may be repositioned according to the weight-distribution balance profile.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for adjusting a center of mass of a drone may include a balance track and a repositionable weight. The balance track may extend outwardly from a central region of the drone. The balance track may include a plurality of weight-balance fixation positions. The repositionable weight may be configured to be secured at any one of the plurality of weight-balance fixation positions. Various embodiments may include receiving a weight-distribution input relating to balancing the drone. A weight-distribution balance profile may be determined, based on the weight-distribution input, for determining whether a repositionable weight should be repositioned among a plurality of weight-balance fixation positions on a balance track extending outwardly from a central region of the drone. The repositionable weight may be repositioned according to the weight-distribution balance profile.

Abstract: A method controls an air handler that generates heated air from hot water generated by a water heater. The method includes generating a signal in the presence or absence of an indicia of water flow associated with the water heater; initiating operation of a pump associated with the air handler when the signal indicates that water flow associated with the water heater is at least at a selected level to supply hot water to the air handler sufficient to generate heated air; and/or terminating operation of the pump and/or a blower/fan associated with the air handler when the presence or absence signal indicates that the water flow associated with the water heater is less than the selected level.

Abstract: A method controls an air handler that generates heated air from hot water generated by a water heater. The method includes generating a signal in the presence or absence of an indicia of water flow associated with the water heater; initiating operation of a pump associated with the air handler when the signal indicates that water flow associated with the water heater is at least at a selected level to supply hot water to the air handler sufficient to generate heated air; and/or terminating operation of the pump and/or a blower/fan associated with the air handler when the presence or absence signal indicates that the water flow associated with the water heater is less than the selected level.

Abstract: A supplemental wind propulsion power system for a vehicle having at least one battery. The system includes an air intake duct disposed on the vehicle for intercepting turbulent airflow created by the forward motion of the vehicle, an air conduit, an air turbine disposed at the outlet of the air conduit and a generator for supplying electricity to the batteries. The system further includes an air filtration system, an air heating system and grid output terminal to provide a port for supplying supplemental electricity to the electrical grid.

Abstract: A method controls an air handler that generates heated air from hot water generated by a water heater. The method includes generating a signal in the presence or absence of an indicia of water flow associated with the water heater; initiating operation of a pump associated with the air handler when the signal indicates that water flow associated with the water heater is at least at a selected level to supply hot water to the air handler sufficient to generate heated air; and/or terminating operation of the pump and/or a blower/fan associated with the air handler when the presence or absence signal indicates that the water flow associated with the water heater is less than the selected level.

Abstract: A method controls an air handler that generates heated air from hot water generated by a water heater. The method includes generating a signal in the presence or absence of an indicia of water flow associated with the water heater; initiating operation of a pump associated with the air handler when the signal indicates that water flow associated with the water heater is at least at a selected level to supply hot water to the air handler sufficient to generate heated air; and/or terminating operation of the pump and/or a blower/fan associated with the air handler when the presence or absence signal indicates that the water flow associated with the water heater is less than the selected level.

Abstract: A water heater including a water reservoir container having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, a combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a burner associated with the container; a temperature probe associated with the container that detects a water temperature in an upper portion of the container, and a controller that activates the burner, the controller establishing an initial water temperature set point, comparing detected water temperature with the set point when the burner is activated, reducing the set point by a first selected amount when the water temperature decreases by less than a selected amount while the burner is activated or increasing the set point by a second selected amount when the water decreases by a selected amount of more while the burner is activated.

Abstract: A squad command interface for a squad-based shooter video game maps character selection and command selection to actuators on a game controller. Players can select squad characters and issue a single order to multiple characters with few controller actuations.

Abstract: A water heater including a water reservoir container having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, a combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a burner associated with the container; a temperature probe associated with the container that detects a water temperature in an upper portion of the container, and a controller that activates the burner, the controller establishing an initial water temperature set point, comparing detected water temperature with the set point when the burner is activated, reducing the set point by a first selected amount when the water temperature decreases by less than a selected amount while the burner is activated or increasing the set point by a second selected amount when the water decreases by a selected amount of more while the burner is activated.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber adjacent the water container; a burner associated with the combustion chamber; a blower assembly located to receive combustion products generated by the burner; an intake conduit sealingly connected to the combustion chamber and having a combustion air intake opening located adjacent an upper portion of the water heater; and a dilution air conduit sealingly connected to the blower assembly and having a dilution air intake opening located adjacent a lower portion of the water heater.

Abstract: An electric water heater including a water container; an element associated with the water container to heat water in the water container; a cold water inlet associated with the water container; a hot water outlet associated with the water container; and a dip tube connected to the hot water outlet, the dip tube having at least one opening proximate the hot water outlet and at least one opening positioned proximate to or below the element.

Abstract: An electric water heater including a water container; an element associated with the water container to heat water in the water container; a cold water inlet associated with the water container; a hot water outlet associated with the water container; and a dip tube connected to the hot water outlet, the dip tube having at least one opening proximate the hot water outlet and at least one opening positioned proximate to or below the element.