Abstract: A magnetized weight and distance measuring assembly and method for demonstrating the inverse square law of magnetism by displaying a change in distance between magnets after applying a weighted member to one of the magnets includes a base and a base magnet mounted the base. A shaft is coupled to the base, and a shaft magnet is mounted to the shaft and is moveable along the shaft when the shaft magnet repels away from the base magnet by a magnetic force. A tube is attached to the shaft magnet to define a receptacle. The receptacle receives a plurality of weighted members, wherein the magnetic force opposes a gravitational force of the receptacle and weighted members such that the receptacle moves upwardly along the shaft when the receptacle receives the weighted members. A plurality of graduation markings is positioned on a panel extending upwardly from said top surface of the base.

Abstract: A magnetized weight and distance measuring assembly and method for demonstrating the inverse square law of magnetism by displaying a change in distance between magnets after applying a weighted member to one of the magnets includes a base and a base magnet mounted the base. A shaft is coupled to the base, and a shaft magnet is mounted to the shaft and is moveable along the shaft when the shaft magnet repels away from the base magnet by a magnetic force. A tube is attached to the shaft magnet to define a receptacle. The receptacle receives a plurality of weighted members, wherein the magnetic force opposes a gravitational force of the receptacle and weighted members such that the receptacle moves upwardly along the shaft when the receptacle receives the weighted members. A plurality of graduation markings is positioned on a panel extending upwardly from said top surface of the base.

Abstract: A clamp wherein the clamp is configured to prevent relative rotation of a plurality of hose portions at an interface of the hose portions, can include a base plate; a collar configured to attach to a first hose portion and slidably attached to the base plate; and a first fork configured to attach to a first portion of the hose interface and slidably attached to the base plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clamp wherein the clamp is configured to prevent relative rotation of a plurality of hose portions at an interface of the hose portions, comprising: a base plate; a collar configured to attach to a first hose portion and slidably attached to the base plate; and a first fork configured to attach to a first portion of the hose interface and slidably attached to the base plate.

Abstract: A method including identifying an interaction between two parties, the interaction hosted by a remote server, is provided. The method includes identifying a first mode from a provider for the interaction by the two parties from multiple modes provided by the remote server, and obtaining, from the remote server, an identification for each of the parties, the identification being associated with the mode. The method includes identifying a duration of the interaction for each of the at least two parties and associating the interaction with an asynchronous interaction in a second communication mode from a second provider having a common identification with one of the parties. The method includes storing, in a database, a record of the interaction event that includes the first mode, the identification for each of the at least two parties, and the duration of the interaction for each of the at least two parties.

Abstract: A hitch drawbar is provided that supports a hitch ball and a winch accessory mount for supporting a winch or similar accessory above the draw bar. The draw bar includes a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be received and secured by a vehicle hitch receiver. The second end supports a hitch ball therefrom. Along the draw bar length, the winch accessory mount extends upwards. The winch accessory mount supports a winch surface above the draw bar and substantially parallel thereto. Along the surface, a winch may be supported. In addition, the winch surface may support alternative accessories thereon. Several embodiments are disclosed, including slidable configurations of the hitch ball surface and slidable configurations of the winch accessory mount and winch surface. Overall, the present invention provides a new and novel draw bar and hitch accessory mount.

Abstract: A method is provided to associate an independent entity that collects financial instruments on behalf of an organization with funds collected on behalf of the organization. A system is also provided for associating an independent entity that collects financial instruments on behalf of an organization with funds collected on behalf of the organization. An apparatus may also be provided for associating an independent entity that collects financial instruments on behalf of an organization with funds collected on behalf of the organization.

Abstract: A data-driven, hierarchical information navigation system and method enable search of sets of documents or other materials by certain common attributes that characterize the materials. The invention includes several aspects of a data-driven, hierarchical navigation system that employs this navigation mode. The navigation system of the present invention includes features of an interface, a knowledge base and a taxonomy definition process and a classification process for generating the knowledge base, a graph-based navigable data structure and method for generating the data structure, World Wide Web-based applications of the system, and methods of implementing the system. Users are able to search or browse a particular collection of documents by selecting desired values for the attributes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.

Abstract: A data-driven information navigation system and method enable search and analysis of a set of objects or other materials by certain common attributes that characterize the materials, as well as by relationships among the materials. The invention includes several aspects of a data-driven information navigation system that employs this navigation mode. The navigation system of the present invention includes features of a knowledge base, a navigation model that defines and enables computation of a collection of navigation states, a process for computing navigation states that represent incremental refinements relative to a given navigation state, and methods of implementing the preceding features.

Abstract: A data-driven, hierarchical information search and navigation system and method enable search and navigation of sets of documents or other materials by certain common attributes that characterize the materials. The invention includes several aspects of a data-driven, hierarchical search and navigation system that employs this search and navigation mode. The search and navigation system of the present invention includes features of an navigation interface, a search interface, a knowledge base and a taxonomy definition process and a classification process for generating the knowledge base, a graph-based navigable data structure and method for generating the data structure, World Wide Web-based applications of the system, and methods of implementing the system. Users are able to search or browse a particular collection of documents by selecting desired values for the attributes or by searching the attribute-value pairs.

Abstract: An electric pulse generator includes a driver having an outer surface, a receiver, and one or more piezoelectric elements disposed between and in electrical contact with the driver and the receiver. The electric pulse generator further includes an explosive material disposed on the outer surface of the driver. A method of making an electrical pulse generator includes providing one or more piezoelectric elements, a driver, a receiver, and an explosive material and operably associating the explosive material with an outer surface of the driver. The method further includes electrically coupling the one or more piezoelectric elements between the driver and the receiver.

Abstract: A drive system for a refrigeration compressor such as is used in a natural gas liquefaction plant, allowing the desired compressor speed and maximum turbine efficiency to be maintained throughout varying ambient temperature conditions. A gas turbine is used with an electric starter motor with drive-through capability located on a common drive shaft between the turbine and the compressor. A variable frequency drive (VFD) is connected between the electrical power grid and the electric motor for smooth startups, but also to allow excess turbine mechanical power to be converted to electrical power by the motor operating as a generator, and delivered to the grid at the grid frequency. Pulse width modulation technology may be used to reduce harmonic distortion in the VFD's output. The starter motor also functions as a helper motor when the turbine output is insufficient to drive the compressor at the rotational speed needed to meet throughput requirements.

Abstract: A data-driven, hierarchical information navigation system and method enable search of sets of documents or other materials by certain common attributes that characterize the materials. The invention includes several aspects of a data-driven, hierarchical navigation system that employs this navigation mode. The navigation system of the present invention includes features of an interface, a knowledge base and a taxonomy definition process and a classification process for generating the knowledge base, a graph-based navigable data structure and method for generating the data structure, World Wide Web-based applications of the system, and methods of implementing the system. Users are able to search or browse a particular collection of documents by selecting desired values for the attributes.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that includes a liquid pervious top layer and an absorbent core of synthetic tow fibers. A casing layer is disposed to surround the core such that super absorbent particles are disposed therebetween. The casing layer is bonded with the core to form a predetermined pattern. The pattern is configured for containment of super absorbent particles. A liquid impervious back layer is also included, wherein the casing layer is disposed between the top layer and the back layer. Alternatively, the absorbent article has an absorbent core of polypropylene tow fibers and a polypropylene casing sheet that encloses the core such that super absorbent particles are disposed therebetween. The casing sheet is ultrasonically bonded, or embossed, to the core to form a predetermined pattern. The pattern defines pockets that are configured for containment of the super absorbent particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dry forming absorbent cores are disclosed. The apparatus has a rotatable drum having a substantially cylindrical surface. A vacuum surface having one or more holes is located substantially circumferentially around at least a portion of the substantially cylindrical surface. A vacuum chamber is located within the rotatable drum. The vacuum chamber has one or more vacuum passages forming a vacuum zone subadjacent at least a portion of the vacuum surface. A first casing sheet is supplied to overlie the vacuum surface at a first location, and a fibrous material is supplied to overlie the first casing sheet at a second location. A supply of particulate matter is deposited onto the fibrous material at a third location, and a second casing sheet is supplied to overlie the first casing sheet, fibrous material and particulate matter at a fourth location, thereby forming an absorbent core composite.

Abstract: Disclosed are automated processes and systems for the assembly of composite doors, and doors made using such processes and systems. The automated process may comprise a continuous series of steps allowing individual doors to be made in tandem, rather than in batch. The process may allow for the automation of individual steps such that the need for coordinating separate assembly steps may be substantially reduced.