Abstract: A compression limiter fastener assembly for assembling a first assembly member to a second assembly member has fastener element with a drive head and a shank portion extending from the drive head to a point section. The shank has a non-threaded portion proximate to the drive head and a distal threaded portion positioned at a distal portion of the shank opposite from the drive head. A sleeve element has a tubular section with a bore therethrough sized to surround the threaded end portion and the non-threaded portion of the shank with clearance to allow the shank to be laterally movable in the bore. The sleeve element has at least one radially inwardly extending tab engaging the shank such that the threaded section is axially retained within the confines of the bore namely within the axial extent of the sleeve element until final installation.

Abstract: A method/process is provided for extracting and processing sugarcane juice from sugarcane stalks to produce a shelf-stable natural juice product preserving policosanols naturally-occurring in raw sugarcane sticks. The method includes steps of: providing sugarcane stalks having a high sucrose level; extracting sugarcane juice from the sugarcane stalks using a roller mill apparatus; filtering the extracted sugarcane juice through a screen filter; stabilizing the pH of the juice in a non-acidic solution of calcium hydroxide to a pH level in the range of 7.4 to 7.6; flocculating the sugarcane juice with a mixture of water and at least one natural flocculate product; evaporating the sugarcane juice to form a sugarcane juice concentrate having a Brix in the range of 50° Bx to 60° Bx; and extracting the sugarcane juice concentrate from the evaporator, while maintaining a maximum sugarcane juice temperature never exceeding 70° C. throughout the process.

Abstract: A device for purifying water by solar power is described. The device has bottom and top sections, each being half-cylinders contacting one another along a flat edge to provide an elongated cylinder. The bottom section has an evacuated area with an optically transparent bottom surface that light can pass through to heat a liquid tray in the top section. A side-gutter directs water that condenses on an interior surface of the top section to an output port for collection.

Abstract: A device for purifying water by solar power is described. The device has bottom and top sections, each being half-cylinders contacting one another along a flat edge to provide an elongated cylinder. The bottom section has an evacuated area with an optically transparent bottom surface that light can pass through to heat a liquid tray in the top section. A side-gutter directs water that condenses on an interior surface of the top section to an output port for collection.

Abstract: A method for forecasting energy demand for a single building, a neighborhood or a city in an urban environment is disclosed. The method treats urban heat island (UHI) calculations as being dynamically impacted by predicted weather conditions to calculate a weather-adjusted UHI. Predicted energy consumption rates for weather conditions use the weather-adjusted UHI to increase accuracy of the prediction.

Abstract: A production unit for purifying water is provided. The production unit has a fluid intake and a heating basin fluidly connected to the fluid intake by a connector such that a layer of water with a depth of less than about 30 mm is provided. A transparent dome is mounted to the top surface of the base that defines an interior perimeter. A trough in the base is contiguous with an interior surface of the transparent dome. A fluid output is fluidly connected to the trough and extends away from the base. A plurality of lenses is configured to focus sunlight onto a corresponding plurality of focal points located on the layer of water.

Abstract: The present invention is an assembly and method for continuously manufacturing fasteners. A die press actuated at a first speed receives the contoured wire into a die having a piercing element for piercing an aperture and a cutting element for cutting a fastener from the wire. A guide receives the fasteners from the die press and a drive unit engages the fasteners oriented by the guide and conveys the fastener to an elevated height relative to a tapping device. The guide redirects the fasteners by a first router. The fasteners are gravity fed into the first router and redirected to one of the tapping devices. Each tapping device has a tapping element for forming internal ribs in the aperture of the fastener. The tapping devices each actuates at a second speed that in aggregate is generally equal to the first speed of the die press.

Abstract: A smart fuel injection system for an automobile is provided for use with a multi-port engine wherein engine coolant is utilized, as well as temperature readings within the head of each of the injector nozzles in the cylinders of the engine and a variety of other known engine performance and operating condition data, to carefully adjust and maintain the air-to-fuel ratio of the engine and maximize fuel efficiency. The system includes a multi-cylinder engine having at least one fuel injector, an engine control unit, a plurality of sensors for measuring automobile operating conditions, and coolant control means for continuously regulate the quantity of engine coolant passing to the engine.

Abstract: A smart fuel injection system for an automobile is provided for use with a multi-port engine wherein engine coolant is utilized, as well as temperature readings within the head of each of the injector nozzles in the cylinders of the engine and a variety of other known engine performance and operating condition data, to carefully adjust and maintain the air-to-fuel ratio of the engine and maximize fuel efficiency. The system includes a multi-cylinder engine having at least one fuel injector, an engine control unit, a plurality of sensors for measuring automobile operating conditions, and coolant control means for continuously regulate the quantity of engine coolant passing to the engine.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing croquettes from a source of elastic food mass continuously discharged from a nozzle assembly having a reciprocating chopper controlled by sensors for severing the mass into croquettes, a plurality of conveyors for moving said croquettes through tunnel assemblies for compressing said croquettes into a desired shape and a shaker assembly for breading said croquettes and providing a frictional means for rolling said croquettes through said tunnels.