Abstract: A circuit system for transferring signals or energy from a DC-side to an AC-side comprises a full bridge rectifier having an AC-side and a DC-side with two pairs of diodes connected in parallel, each pair of diodes comprising a lower diode and an upper diode connected in series. A load resistor is provided with one of its ends being connected to the AC-side of the full bridge rectifier between one of the pairs of diodes, and the other end being connected to an auxiliary DC-voltage source having a ground potential. A voltage signal generating means generates a voltage signal to be supplied by the auxiliary DC-voltage source to the load resistor in accordance to signals or to an amount of energy to be transferred to the AC-side or from the AC-side to the DC-side of the full bridge rectifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of bio-oil-based renewable streams for composing a diesel or aviation kerosene (AVK) pool by combining the technologies of hydroprocessing esters and fatty acids (HEFA) and thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass for generating bio-oil. The integration of conventional raw material from the HEFA pathway with a bio-oil fraction has the advantages of the use of a stream originating from the conversion of lignocellulosic material, which is widely available on the market, and also the production of a renewable stream containing aromatics in its composition.

Abstract: A rewards system operator receives one or more files from a payment card processor containing payment card transaction information for qualifying payment card transactions made with linked payment cards at one or more merchants participating in a rewards program. The rewards system operator directly debits the merchants for any fees owed under the rewards program. The rewards system operator gives users of the linked payment cards a reward for making qualifying purchases under the rewards program.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for foot sensors to be used to determine at least two characteristics of a subject's activity by using a combination of sensors for force and foot orientation/motion/position. A wearable footwear ecosystem is comprised of the subject's footwear, sensor-enabled insoles or insertable devices, in- or on-footwear electronics that is hard wired to the sensors and may contain additional sensors such as accelerometers, a master device and means to communicate (typically wirelessly) among the various sensor platforms, and the master device including clock synchronization. Correlating the time stamps for data among various sensors, and the master device communicating wirelessly is critical to accurate determination of the desired characteristics. Multiple force-sensitive resistors on a common substrate are individually optimized for dynamic range. Pulse sensors using arrays of such force-sensitive resistors are implemented.

Abstract: A healthcare and wellness management system, which can be used to collect and analyze data related to a user's health. Using software applications and sensors embedded on a hardware platform, the system collects psychological and physiological data regarding a subject such as mood or stress level, food intake, and vital signs. The system may generate a health parameter based on the collected data. The system may initiate actions based on the gathered data. Multiple users may be ranked relative to one another based on their health parameters.

Abstract: A system for spacing and fastening tubular structures, and a related method. The system includes a spacer element configured to engage a plurality of tubular structures, to spatially separate the plurality of tubular structures from one another, and to distribute stress in the plurality of tubular structures. The system further includes a fastening element configured to extend around at least a portion of an outer surface of the plurality of tubular structures, and to fasten the plurality of tubular structures to the spacer element in an adaptively spaced configuration.

Abstract: A tube spacing and fastening system for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of tubular structures, a wear sleeve, a spacer element, and a fastening element. The plurality of tubular structures provides a fluid flow to a component of the gas turbine engine. The wear sleeve is located around each of the plurality of tubular structures. The spacer element receives the plurality of tubular structures. The fastening element extends around the wear sleeves and is configured to secure the plurality of tubular structures to the spacer element. An interference between the fastening element and wear sleeves is configured to allow the fastening element to slide with respect to the wear sleeves and to provide a damping effect under gas turbine engine vibrations and operating conditions. A method of damping vibrations in the plurality of tubular structures includes allowing the fastening element to slide with respect to the wear sleeve.

Abstract: A system for spacing and fastening tubular structures, and a related method. The system includes a spacer element configured to engage a plurality of tubular structures, to spatially separate the plurality of tubular structures from one another, and to distribute stress in the plurality of tubular structures. The system further includes a fastening element configured to extend around at least a portion of an outer surface of the plurality of tubular structures, and to fasten the plurality of tubular structures to the spacer element in an adaptively spaced configuration.

Abstract: A system for spacing and fastening tubular structures, and a related method. The system includes a spacer element configured to engage a plurality of tubular structures, to spatially separate the plurality of tubular structures from one another, and to distribute stress in the plurality of tubular structures. The system further includes a fastening element configured to extend around at least a portion of an outer surface of the plurality of tubular structures, and to fasten the plurality of tubular structures to the spacer element in an adaptively spaced configuration.

Abstract: A tube spacing and fastening system for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of tubular structures, a wear sleeve, a spacer element, and a fastening element. The plurality of tubular structures provides a fluid flow to a component of the gas turbine engine. The wear sleeve is located around each of the plurality of tubular structures. The spacer element receives the plurality of tubular structures. The fastening element extends around the wear sleeves and is configured to secure the plurality of tubular structures to the spacer element. An interference between the fastening element and wear sleeves is configured to allow the fastening element to slide with respect to the wear sleeves and to provide a damping effect under gas turbine engine vibrations and operating conditions. A method of damping vibrations in the plurality of tubular structures includes allowing the fastening element to slide with respect to the wear sleeve.

Abstract: A system and a method for authenticating information of a vehicle and automobilist. The system comprising a first handheld device associate with a first user, configured to generate a request for authenticating the information of a vehicle or a residential property. The system also comprises a second handheld device associated with a second user, configured to acknowledge the request. The system also comprises an informatory device configured to communicate with the first handheld device and second handheld device. The informatory device comprises a magnetic body coupled at a first side of the informatory device and a plastic body coupled to the magnetic body, at a second side of the informatory device. The vehicular informatory device also comprises a circuitry which facilitates communication among the first handheld device, the second handheld device, and the informatory device for authenticating the information of the vehicle or the automobilist of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for centering a pouring tube in a pouring tube assembly using a multi-piece centering sleeve by inserting a pouring tube into a holding casting aperture in a holding casting; pouring grout to fill a portion of a gap between the pouring tube and the holding casting; slipping the centering sleeve over the outside of the pouring tube until it is press fit in a portion of the gap between the pouring tube and the holding casting; adjusting the centering sleeve to center-position the pouring tube; grouting the remainder of the gap to fill all voids in the gap; installing a parting ring on top of the holding casting; and installing a holding ring around the holding casting and parting ring.

Abstract: A school bus stop sign assembly for enhancing safety of children entering and exiting a school bus includes a hinging unit that is coupled to an outer wall of a school bus. The hinging unit is actuated into a deployed position and a stored position. A member is coupled to the hinging unit and the member extends outwardly from the school bus when the hinging unit is actuated into the deployed position. Thus, the member extends across a roadway on which the school bus is driving to inhibit a vehicle from passing the school bus thereby enhancing safety for children entering or exiting the school bus. A pair of video cameras is each coupled to the member to capture imagery of the environment around the member.

Abstract: It is proposed a method and system to improve the security of electronic messages exchange between two or more users. The proposed electronic messaging mechanism allows guaranteeing the integrity of a message exchange (i.e., no message has been added, modified, reordered, nor removed from the message exchange), as well as its non-repudiation (i.e., users are univocally associated with the message exchange and cannot deny being authors of the messages they sent), using a local or external blockchain.

Abstract: An optical communication fiber link including a monitoring system connected to an optical fiber transmitting electromagnetic radiation including a communication. The monitoring system includes a detection system detecting a scattering of the electromagnetic radiation from the optical fiber. The monitoring system monitors the scattering for an abnormal change and determines, from the abnormal change, an absence or a presence of a fault in the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system and a method for user authentication and/or authorization, including a passive card to encode a first portion of an authentication or authorization code for a user via capacitive points, and a portable computing device with a capacitive screen to encode a second portion of the code. Each capacitive point is connected to an electronic circuit, being activable by physical contact of the user or with an electrical ground. Once the user has requested access to a specific service or operation, and when at least some of the passive points are activated and the passive card is in contact with the capacitive screen, the device reads the capacitive points, decoding the first portion of the code, and cryptographically signs the decoded portion using the second portion, providing the code, which is used as cryptographic key to grant access to the service or operation.

Abstract: A power unit powers a Long Range (LoRa) gateway at a communications facility. The power unit has one or more enclosures configured to install on a ground level of the communications facility. The one or more enclosures hold batteries and control circuitry. The batteries are configured to supply backup power. The control circuitry is connected to grid power, alternative power, and the backup power and powers the LoRa gateway with power-over-ethernet (PoE). The control circuity is configured to transition from the grid power to the backup power to power the LoRa gateway in response to an outage of the grid power. The control circuity can also transition to the alternative power, such as generator power or solar-generated power, to power the LoRa gateway. Finally, the control circuitry can charge the batteries using the grid power (if available) or using the alternative power (e.g., solar-generated power or other).

Abstract: A mechanical interlock including one or more features to facilitate easier assembly and/or manufacturing. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the mechanical interlock may include one ore more features to provided increased protection. The mechanical interlock may include a baseplate arranged and configured to receive one or more components thereon so that the components can be coupled and wired as a sub-assembly prior to inserting into the enclosure. The mechanical interlock may include an adapter positioned between a connector and a contact carrier bracket to enable variously sized connectors to be coupled to a common contract carrier bracket. The adapter may include one ore more keys to prevent improper coupling of the adapter. The contact carrier bracket may be arranged and configured to receive one or more PCBs to provide an increased level of protection for the PCB.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for centering a pouring tube in a pouring tube assembly using a multi-piece centering sleeve by inserting a pouring tube into a holding casting aperture in a holding casting; pouring grout to fill a portion of a gap between the pouring tube and the holding casting; slipping the centering sleeve over the outside of the pouring tube until it is press fit in a portion of the gap between the pouring tube and the holding casting; adjusting the centering sleeve to center-position the pouring tube; grouting the remainder of the gap to fill all voids in the gap; installing a parting ring on top of the holding casting; and installing a holding ring around the holding casting and parting ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of malicious software in electronic documents and comprises: detecting an executable code in the electronic document provided to a client module; extracting information from the electronic document comprising the executable code and metadata of the electronic document; creating a binary vector associated with the electronic document; comparing, in a classifier module (200), the binary vector with one or more groups of vectors previously classified and stored in a database (400); classifying the vector in one of the groups, where each group has associated therewith a verdict about the presence of malicious software; and determining that the document contains malicious software depending on the verdict associated with the group in which its associated vector has been classified.