Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analysing a blend of two or more hydrocarbon feed streams such as crude oils. These crude oils are blended in a facility such as a refinery. The method assesses the compatibility of a hydrocarbon feed in a blend to calculate the blend stability such that organic deposition is minimised. The method uses all of a plurality of hydrocarbon feeds to be blended for analysis. The method either selects a neat hydrocarbon feed, from a plurality of the hydrocarbon feeds included in a blend, as a titrant, wherein the or each other hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon feed are used to make a pseudo-blend and titrating the pseudo-blend with said selected neat hydrocarbon feed for a plurality of different blend ratios. Alternatively the method involves preparing a reference hydrocarbon and making a blend from the plurality of hydrocarbon feeds and titrating the blend with the reference hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A magnet element (37) and a method of its manufacture for assembly into a rotor (38), the magnet element (37) having magnetic domains aligned anisotropically to form a domain alignment pattern (42), wherein the magnetic domain alignment pattern (42) in the magnet element (37) has an orientation that varies substantially continuously across at least part of the magnet element (37) between its lateral edges from at least partially radial to at least partially tangential.

Abstract: A railroad friction-modification system for applying a friction modifier to a section of railroad track, the system comprising an external storage tank for storing the friction modifier, a railroad friction-modification assembly for applying the friction modifier, a tube for connecting the external storage tank to the railroad friction-modification assembly, and a mounting assembly for securing the railroad friction-modification assembly to the rail. The railroad friction-modification assembly includes an expandable membrane for storing the friction modifier, an inlet valve for receiving the friction modifier from the external storage tank, a housing for securely containing the expandable membrane, at least one outlet valve for expelling the friction modifier from the expandable membrane upon the application of a force, and a nozzle for directing the expelled friction modifier onto the section of railroad track.

Abstract: Approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves locating a metal foil above a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions disposed in or above a substrate. The method also involves laser welding the metal foil to the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves patterning the metal foil by laser ablating through at least a portion of the metal foil at regions in alignment with locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The laser welding and the patterning are performed at the same time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, methods, and machine readable media for using a charging device for delivering electrical power to components of a firearm. The charging device may be shaped to resemble an ammunition magazine. This form facilitates a simple and secure connection to the firearm by repurposing magazine attachment mechanisms already present on or within the firearm. The charging device may be inserted into the firearm while it is not in use, providing power to the firearm's electronics and/or batteries thereof. The charging unit is then removed, leaving the firearm mechanically unchanged and ready for normal operation and use.

Abstract: A person can use a portable electronic device to electronically purchase or otherwise request a product, service or other deliverable related to audio programming to which the person is listening at the time they initiate the request. The request is fulfilled by a service that analyzes the audio content to identify the deliverable the person desires.

Abstract: An insulated exterior wall assembly combining insulating material and reflective surface insulation coupled with an air gap. A wall assembly according to this invention includes wall support studs defining insulation cavities between them, sheathing boards facing the building exterior, an insulating material such as cellular plastic material or fibrous insulation applied from the exterior sheathing partly through the depth of the insulation cavities, a foil-backed gypsum-containing wallboard applied to the interior facing portions of the studs, with an air gap between the foil backing of the wallboards and the surface of the foam along the depth of the studs. The wall assembly according to this invention provides comparable thermal resistance compared to a deep layer of insulating material.

Abstract: A person can use a portable electronic device to electronically purchase or otherwise request a product, service or other deliverable related to audio programming to which the person is listening at the time they initiate the request. The request is fulfilled by a service that analyzes the audio content to identify the deliverable the person desires.

Abstract: A person can use a portable electronic device to electronically purchase or otherwise request a product, service or other deliverable related to audio programming to which the person is listening at the time they initiate the request. The request is fulfilled by a service that analyzes the audio content to identify the deliverable the person desires.

Abstract: A railroad friction-modification system for applying a friction modifier to a section of railroad track, the system comprising an external storage tank for storing the friction modifier, a railroad friction-modification assembly for applying the friction modifier, a tube for connecting the external storage tank to the railroad friction-modification assembly, and a mounting assembly for securing the railroad friction-modification assembly to the rail. The railroad friction-modification assembly includes an expandable membrane for storing the friction modifier, an inlet valve for receiving the friction modifier from the external storage tank, a housing for securely containing the expandable membrane, at least one outlet valve for expelling the friction modifier from the expandable membrane upon the application of a force, and a nozzle for directing the expelled friction modifier onto the section of railroad track.

Abstract: A magnet element (37) and a method of its manufacture for assembly into a rotor (38), the magnet element (37) having magnetic domains aligned anisotropically to form a domain alignment pattern (42), wherein the magnetic domain alignment pattern (42) in the magnet element (37) has an orientation that varies substantially continuously across at least part of the magnet element (37) between its lateral edges from at least partially radial to at least partially tangential.

Abstract: An attachment between a heat exchanger and a cell panel of a furnace includes a cell panel including a plurality of cell panel openings and a heat exchanger having a plurality of cells. Each cell has a cell outlet insertable into a cell panel opening of the plurality of cell panel openings. A compressible gasket is insertable between the cell panel openings and the cell outlets and securable therein when the heat exchanger is secured to the cell panel. A crimping tool for securing a heat exchanger cell outlet to a cell panel of a furnace includes a male portion including a split die having two die halves and a die expander configured to separate the two die halves to engage an inner surface of the cell outlet. A female portion applies a force to the cell outlet to crimp the cell outlet to the cell panel.

Abstract: An insulated exterior wall assembly combining insulating material and reflective surface insulation coupled with an air gap. A wall assembly according to this invention includes wall support studs defining insulation cavities between them, sheathing boards facing the building exterior, an insulating material such as cellular plastic material or fibrous insulation applied from the exterior sheathing partly through the depth of the insulation cavities, a foil-backed gypsum-containing wallboard applied to the interior facing portions of the studs, with an air gap between the foil backing of the wallboards and the surface of the foam along the depth of the studs. The wall assembly according to this invention provides comparable thermal resistance compared to a deep layer of insulating material.

Abstract: An adaptive and interactive training system and method is provided. The system provides training content to a user of an application program based upon a variety of factors. The system selects the training content based upon the user's individualized needs vis-à-vis an application program. The system may customize the training sent to the user by evaluating the user's actual interaction with the application program, the user's personal profile and the group profile of groups to which the user belongs.

Abstract: Intumescent composition comprising: A) a binder comprising (i) a resin comprising a polysiloxane chain or a precursor for said chain, (ii) optionally an organic resin, and (iii) at least one type of functional group selected from the group consisting of epoxy, amine, mercaptan, carboxylic acid, acryloyl, isocyanate, alkoxysilyl, and anhydride groups, said functional groups being present as pendant and/or terminal groups on said resin comprising a polysiloxane chain or the precursor for said chain, and/or on the organic resin, provided that if the binder contains alkoxysilyl groups as the only type of said functional groups, these alkoxysilyl groups are present on the organic resin, B) a compound capable of reacting with or catalysing the reaction between the functional groups, and C) a spumific and a char forming adjunct.

Abstract: The SIP Number Portability System disables the cellular radios in the wireless device and enables a WiFi 802.11 protocol-based radio. In the airborne mode, it activates a call forwarding registration process which has calls to the subscriber's publicly available phone number forwarded to the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol client through a SIP-based Public Switched Telephone Network access number and incoming communication sessions directed to the subscriber's wireless service provider user address routed to the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol client through a SIP-based data gateway on the Internet or the Public Switched Data Network. On outbound calls, the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol Client populates the Calling Number field with the wireless subscriber device phone number so that the caller ID display located at the called party's subscriber device shows the subscriber's publicly available phone number.

Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of vehicles including removing a portable transmitter assembly and a portable receiving assembly from a vehicle, disposing the portable receiving assembly contiguous to an area where at least one vehicle travels, and illuminating at least one indicator on the portable receiving assembly with the portable transmitter assembly for controlling the movement of vehicles. An assembly for controlling the movement of vehicles includes a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A magnet element (37) and a method of its manufacture for assembly into a rotor (38), the magnet element (37) having magnetic domains aligned anisotropically to form a domain alignment pattern (42), wherein the magnetic domain alignment pattern (42) in the magnet element (37) has an orientation that varies substantially continuously across at least part of the magnet element (37) between its lateral edges from at least partially radial to at least partially tangential.

Abstract: A coil support suitable for supporting a coil in a condensing unit includes a body and a protrusion extending from the body. The protrusion is configured to limit movement of the coil in at least one direction.

Abstract: A siding panel for installation in courses, includes features that allow for proper panel to panel engagement, so that the divisions between the individual panels can not be seen. Panels are joined in a friction fit after being brought together by a free panel being moved vertically upward into a frictional engagement with an attached panel. Joining is complete based frictional engagement and frictional locking between portions of each panel.