Abstract: The apparatus for storing and retrieving thermal energy by employing a phase change material (PCM) comprises thermally conductive units, energy sources for providing thermal energy to PCM, an inert gas system, insulation layers and outer enclosure member. The conductive unit has trench(es) for holding the PCM. The trench has opposing significantly curved longitudinal walls and side walls meeting at a base thereby having a greater internal pressure withstanding capacity. In some embodiments, the conductive units are configured to maximise the volume ratio of the PCM to conductive material. In one embodiment, the trench is partially elliptical in a planar cross section that is perpendicular to a major axis or a minor axis of the trench. The apparatus is in thermal contact with thermal energy conversion system for transferring retrieved thermal energy to thermal energy conversion system that converts retrieved thermal energy into electrical energy.

Abstract: The apparatus for storing and retrieving thermal energy by employing a phase change material (PCM) comprises thermally conductive units, energy sources for providing thermal energy to PCM, an inert gas system, insulation layers and outer enclosure member. The conductive unit has trench(es) for holding the PCM. The trench has opposing significantly curved longitudinal walls and side walls meeting at a base thereby having a greater internal pressure withstanding capacity. In some embodiments, the conductive units are configured to maximise the volume ratio of the PCM to conductive material. In one embodiment, the trench is partially elliptical in a planar cross section that is perpendicular to a major axis or a minor axis of the trench. The apparatus is in thermal contact with thermal energy conversion system for transferring retrieved thermal energy to thermal energy conversion system that converts retrieved thermal energy into electrical energy.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus, including: a block of a heat-absorbing material, and a plurality of heat storage elements, the heat storage elements including a phase change material stored in a containment vessel; wherein each heat storage element is in thermal contact with the block of heat-absorbing material.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus, including: a block of a heat-absorbing material, and a plurality of heat storage elements, the heat storage elements including a phase change material stored in a containment vessel; wherein each heat storage element is in thermal contact with the block of heat-absorbing material.

Abstract: Described herein is a computer processing system configured to: display a profile depiction of a work site terrain feature being designed, the profile depiction comprising a design plane line depicting a desired surface profile of the terrain feature; receive input from a pointing device, the input adjusting the elevation of a point on the design plane line; based on receiving input adjusting the elevation of the point on the design plane line, recalculate coordinates of the design plane line in accordance with the input received from the pointing device; and redisplay the design plane line in accordance with the recalculated coordinates.

Abstract: A method for effecting communication between devices in a communications network, the method comprising managing a communications process control flow; providing a plurality of re-usable components of the process control flow in which each component comprises a process control activity between two of the devices; aggregating the plurality of re-usable components into a sequence of the communications process control flow; in which each re-usable component is arranged to process a data structure; in which the data structure is the same for each re-usable component of the communications process control flow.

Abstract: Network architectures, methods, and operations for routing telephone calls are disclosed. A customer premise includes a conventional POTS dedicated communication line to a central office switch and a broadband connection to a data network. The central office switch and the data network are connected by a communication link. A first telephone call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the dedicated communication link. A second or subsequent call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the data network. Optionally, the same call identifier may be assigned to the first and second or subsequent calls.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus, including: a block of a heat-absorbing material, and a plurality of heat storage elements, the heat storage elements including a phase change material stored in a containment vessel; wherein each heat storage element is in thermal contact with the block of heat-absorbing material.

Abstract: A multi-user communications service is configured by: setting up a choreography linking a plurality of user process control flows and a multi-user service configuration process; receiving via the choreography at the multi-user service configuration process requests from the plurality of user process control flows for access to the multi-user communications service and granting access to the multi-user communications service to selected users; in which the choreography provides a fixed interface supporting the independent reconfiguration of the user process control flows and the multi-user service configuration process.

Abstract: Network architectures, methods, and operations for routing telephone calls are disclosed. A customer premise includes a conventional POTS dedicated communication line to a central office switch and a broadband connection to a data network. The central office switch and the data network are connected by a communication link. A first telephone call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the dedicated communication link. A second or subsequent call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the data network. Optionally, the same call identifier may be assigned to the first and second or subsequent calls.

Abstract: Network architectures, methods, and operations for routing telephone calls are disclosed. A customer premise includes a conventional POTS dedicated communication line to a central office switch and a broadband connection to a data network. The central office switch and the data network are connected by a communication link. A first telephone call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the dedicated communication link. A second or subsequent call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the data network. Optionally, the same call identifier may be assigned to the first and second or subsequent calls.

Abstract: Provided is a combustion apparatus (10) for combusting one or more combustible media such as mine methane and waste coal. The apparatus has a combustion unit (24) with a fuel inlet (26,27) through which the combustible media enters the combustion unit for combustion therein, and a gas outlet (28) for gases formed during combustion to flow out of the combustion unit to provide heat energy to a downstream apparatus such as a turbine engine(14).

Abstract: A heat engine system for producing work by expanding a working fluid comprising first and second components, the system comprising, an apparatus for combining the second component of the working fluid as a liquid with the first component, the first component being a gas throughout the system, a compressor for compressing the first component, a pump for compressing at least most of the second component, a heater for heating the first and second components, an expander for expanding the first and second components to produce the work, and a recuperator for transferring at least some of the energy of the working fluid from the outlet of the expander, to the working fluid from the outlet of the apparatus, wherein a substantial portion of the energy transferred in the recuperator is at least a portion of the latent heat of the second component from the outlet of the expander.

Abstract: A device for picking up solid material within a flexible bag is provided. The disclosed device comprises an outer body; an inner body substantially and slidably enclosed by the outer body; at least one spring mounted between the outer body and the inner body, wherein the inner and outer bodies each comprises an open end, wherein the inner body comprises an edge margin which is slidably protrudable from the open end of the outer body, wherein an elastic band is stretchably fittable around the protruding edge margin, wherein the outer body can be pushed downwards over the protruding edge margin of the inner body, causing the elastic band to be dislodged from the edge margin of the inner body.

Abstract: A device for picking up solid material within a flexible bag is provided. The disclosed device comprises an outer body; an inner body substantially and slidably enclosed by the outer body; at least one spring mounted between the outer body and the inner body, wherein the inner and outer bodies each comprises an open end, wherein the inner body comprises an edge margin which is slidably protrudable from the open end of the outer body, wherein an elastic band is stretchably fittable around the protruding edge margin, wherein the outer body can be pushed downwards over the protruding edge margin of the inner body, causing the elastic band to be dislodged from the edge margin of the inner body.

Abstract: A multi-user communications service is configured by: setting up a choreography linking a plurality of user process control flows and a multi-user service configuration process; receiving via the choreography at the multi-user service configuration process requests from the plurality of user process control flows for access to the multi-user communications service and granting access to the multi-user communications service to selected users; in which the choreography provides a fixed interface supporting the independent reconfiguration of the user process control flows and the multi-user service configuration process.

Abstract: A method for effecting communication between devices in a communications network, the method comprising managing a communications process control flow; providing a plurality of re-usable components of the process control flow in which each component comprises a process control activity between two of the devices; aggregating the plurality of re-usable components into a sequence of the communications process control flow; in which each re-usable component is arranged to process a data structure; in which the data structure is the same for each re-usable component of the communications process control flow.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating voice communications between an end user and a third party Internet web application. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the communication interface unit is operated by an entity separate from the entity operating the third party Internet web application. The communication interface unit receives a voice communication from the end user device and converts the voice communication into a data communication capable of being received and processed by the third party Internet web application. The communication interface unit then transmits the data communication to the third party Internet web application for processing. After the third party Internet web application has processed at least a portion of the data communication, the communication interface unit receives a data communication back from the third party Internet web application.