Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a housing assembly, a pump assembly, a transfer tube assembly, and a valve assembly for controlling water flow through the transfer tube assembly. The transfer tube assembly can include a tube structure within which a valve body of the valve assembly is rotatably disposed. The tube structure can be formed from a first tube half mated to a second tube half to permanently secure the valve body within the tube structure. A valve operator can be connected to the valve body to advantageously allow a user to manipulate the flow of water through the transfer tube assembly. Control of water flow through the filter arrangement is beneficial for obtaining a desired water flow for a certain aquarium size and application and for reducing flow during certain periods, such as during feeding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pick tip apparatus method interchanging pick tip assemblies within the same. The pick tip apparatus includes a housing having a housing channel. The apparatus further includes a fitting connected to the housing channel. The fitting is configured to accept an external vacuum source for applying a vacuum to the housing channel. The apparatus further includes a magnet and a pick tip assembly. The pick tip assembly is releasably held within the housing channel magnetically by the magnet. The pick tip assembly includes a vacuum cup and a pick tip body. The pick tip body has a pick tip body channel in communication with the housing channel and configured to apply the vacuum from the housing channel to the vacuum cup.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: A system for controlling a steam cracking furnace may include a controller configured to control an electric heater to pre-heat a combustion air feed to a radiation section of the cracking furnace, and one or more sensors configured to sense properties of a recovered pure hydrogen stream fed to the radiation section of the cracking furnace as fuel. The controller can be configured to receive the sensed properties from the one or more sensors and control the electric heater based on the one or more sensed properties.

Abstract: A process and system to integrate a steam cracking unit with a blue ammonia unit such that a methane-rich gas stream and/or a hydrogen-rich gas stream is directed from the steam cracking unit to the blue ammonia unit while a hydrogen gas containing stream is directed from the blue ammonia unit to the steam cracking unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pick tip apparatus method interchanging pick tip assemblies within the same. The pick tip apparatus includes a housing having a housing channel. The apparatus further includes a fitting connected to the housing channel. The fitting is configured to accept an external vacuum source for applying a vacuum to the housing channel. The apparatus further includes a magnet and a pick tip assembly. The pick tip assembly is releasably held within the housing channel magnetically by the magnet. The pick tip assembly includes a vacuum cup and a pick tip body. The pick tip body has a pick tip body channel in communication with the housing channel and configured to apply the vacuum from the housing channel to the vacuum cup.

Abstract: A cargo area within a delivery vehicle can include a storage area storing items for destinations along a route. A staging area may be accessible from inside and outside of the cargo area. A dispenser within the cargo area may provide item transfer from the storage area and to the staging area. For example, the dispenser may include a carriage for aligning an extendable and retractable arm operable to transfer an item hanging from a channel onto the arm and from the arm to the staging area. A controller may access route information about proximity to a delivery destination, access item information about an item assigned for that delivery destination, and cause the dispenser to move the assigned item from the storage area to the staging area for making the assigned item accessible from outside the cargo area in response to the proximity to the delivery destination.

Abstract: A method of detecting a cell venting event in a battery pack includes determining a rate of increase of the concentration of a gas in the battery pack with respect to time, and providing an indication that the determined rate of increase of the concentration of the gas has exceeded a first preset rate of increase threshold value.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a thermal ground plane with a variable thickness vapor core. For example, a thermal ground plan may include a first casing and a second casing where the second casing and the first casing configured to enclose a working fluid. The thermal ground plane may also include an evaporator region disposed at least partially on at least one of the first casing and the second casing; a condenser region disposed at least partially on at least one of the first casing and the second casing; and a wicking layer disposed between the first casing and the second casing a vapor core defined at least partially by a gap between the first casing and the second casing. The thickness of the gap can vary across the first casing and the second casing.

Abstract: Provided is a framework for generating photorealistic 3D talking faces conditioned only on audio input. In addition, the present disclosure provides associated methods to insert generated faces into existing videos or virtual environments. We decompose faces from video into a normalized space that decouples 3D geometry, head pose, and texture. This allows separating the prediction problem into regressions over the 3D face shape and the corresponding 2D texture atlas. To stabilize temporal dynamics, we propose an auto-regressive approach that conditions the model on its previous visual state. We also capture face illumination in our model using audio-independent 3D texture normalization.

Abstract: The invention enables digital music content to be downloaded to and used on a portable wireless computing device. An application running on the wireless device has been automatically adapted to parameters associated with the wireless device without end-user input (e.g. the application has been configured in dependence on the device OS and firmware, related bugs, screen size, pixel number, security models, connection handling, memory etc. This application enables an end-user to browse and search music content on a remote server using a wireless network; to download music content from that remote server using the wireless network and to playback and manage that downloaded music content. The application also includes a digital rights management system that enables unlimited legal downloads of different music tracks to the device and also enables any of those tracks stored on the device to be played so long as a subscription service has not terminated.

Abstract: In some examples, a payment service system receives an indication of an initiation of a transaction at a merchant device, the indication including transaction information indicative of a payment instrument associated with the transaction. The payment service system transmits, to a mobile device, a request for the mobile device to monitor for one or more signals of other devices within a proximity of the mobile device. The payment service system receives, from the mobile device, information related to monitoring for the one or more signals of other devices within the proximity of the mobile device. The payment service system determines whether the received information related to the monitoring for the one or more signals of other devices satisfies a threshold for a presence indication. The payment service system performs at least one action based at least on whether the threshold for the presence indication is satisfied.

Abstract: The invention enables digital music content to be downloaded to and used on a portable wireless computing device. An application running on the wireless device has been automatically adapted to parameters associated with the wireless device without end-user input (e.g. the application has been configured in dependence on the device OS and firmware, related bugs, screen size, pixel number, security models, connection handling, memory etc. This application enables an end-user to browse and search music content on a remote server using a wireless network; to download music content from that remote server using the wireless network and to playback and manage that downloaded music content. The application also includes a digital rights management system that enables unlimited legal downloads of different music tracks to the device and also enables any of those tracks stored on the device to be played so long as a subscription service has not terminated.

Abstract: Provided is a framework for generating photorealistic 3D talking faces conditioned only on audio input. In addition, the present disclosure provides associated methods to insert generated faces into existing videos or virtual environments. We decompose faces from video into a normalized space that decouples 3D geometry, head pose, and texture. This allows separating the prediction problem into regressions over the 3D face shape and the corresponding 2D texture atlas. To stabilize temporal dynamics, we propose an auto-regressive approach that conditions the model on its previous visual state. We also capture face illumination in our model using audio-independent 3D texture normalization.

Abstract: A system for detecting gas leakage and/or a fire event within a battery pack includes a battery pack, a controller, a gas detector, and an infrared detector. The battery pack comprises a plurality of cells which may be subject to a gas leakage or a fire. The gas detector is configured to read a concentration value of one or more gases. The infrared detector is configured to read a level of infrared radiation. The gas detector and the infrared detector are configured to transmit alarm level signals to a controller. The controller is configured to output a first or second alarm level in response to the concentration value of gas. The controller is configured to output a third alarm level in response to the level of infrared radiation. Emergency response procedures may be implemented based on the level of gas leakage or infrared radiation within the battery pack indicated.

Abstract: A system for detecting gas leakage within a battery pack includes a battery pack, a controller, and a detector. The battery pack comprises a plurality of cells which may be subject to a gas leakage. The detector is configured to sense a concentration value of one or more gases. The detector is further configured to generate a return signal indicative of no alarm, a first alarm level, or a second alarm level. The detector is electrically connected to the controller and is configured to transmit the return signal to the controller. The controller is configured to output a first alarm level or a second alarm level in response to the return signal. Emergency response procedures may be implemented based on the level of gas leakage within the battery pack indicated.

Abstract: The invention enables digital music content to be downloaded to and used on a portable wireless computing device. An application running on the wireless device has been automatically adapted to parameters associated with the wireless device without end-user input (e.g. the application has been configured in dependence on the device OS and firmware, related bugs, screen size, pixel number, security models, connection handling, memory etc. This application enables an end-user to browse and search music content on a remote server using a wireless network; to download music content from that remote server using the wireless network and to playback and manage that downloaded music content. The application also includes a digital rights management system that enables unlimited legal downloads of different music tracks to the device and also enables any of those tracks stored on the device to be played so long as a subscription service has not terminated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.