Abstract: The invention is a continuous process for the preparation of polytrimethylene ether glycol from 1,3-propanediol reactant. In addition, the invention is directed to a continuous multi-stage process comprising reacting at least one reactant in a liquid phase in an upflow column reactor, and forming a gas or vapor phase by-product wherein the gas or vapor phase by-product is continuously removed at the top and at least one intermediate stage.

Abstract: The invention is a continuous process for the preparation of polytrimethylene ether glycol from 1,3-propanediol reactant. In addition, the invention is directed to a continuous multi-stage process comprising reacting at least one reactant in a liquid phase in an up-flow column reactor, and forming a gas or vapor phase by-product wherein the gas or vapor phase by-product is continuously removed at the top and at least one intermediate stage.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for supplying air to a fuel cell 12 for use within a vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an expander unit 18, a compressor unit 20, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, a controller 30, and vehicle sensors 32, and a secondary compressor 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through expander unit 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and rotatably drives compressor 20. By utilizing the potential energy within the hydrogen gas to drive compressor 20, system 10 conserves energy and improves the overall fuel economy of the vehicle 14.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an expander 18, a compressor 20, a motor/generator 76 which selectively generates electrical power and torque, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through expander 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas, rotatably drives compressor 20 and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.

Abstract: Information packets are error encoded for transmission through a communication channel (34) in a communication system (10) using a variable payload outer code and a common physical layer inner code. The variable payload outer code is selected for each packet based upon an application or service associated with the packet. Thus, less coding can be used for packets associated with error tolerant applications and more coding can be used for packets associated with error sensitive applications. A common header outer code is also used for the packets. The variable payload outer code is preferably applied at the system adaptation level within an interworking function (22, 24) in the communication system (10). The common header outer code and the common physical layer inner code are preferably applied at the data link layer.

Abstract: A communications system autonomously establishes, monitors, and maintains a secure and persistent internet “tunnel” communication path between one or more interconnected computers located at a “central” site and at least one host computer of a plurality of host computers at sites remote from the first site. The system includes a tunnel terminator server at the central site, following a secure tunneling protocol. The tunnel terminator server includes a public port interface coupled to the internet. The tunnel terminator initially establishes a clear communications link clients calling from the internet, and initially identifies and authenticates each of the clients as being “authorized.” For each client so identified and authenticated, the tunnel terminator establishes an encrypted communications link, and provides a new private IP address to each individual client by the link.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an expander 18, a compressor 20, a motor/generator 76 which selectively generates electrical power and torque, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through expander 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas, rotatably drives compressor 20 and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.

Abstract: A method for specifying a multi-component composition without human intervention includes customer specification of at least two physical property limitations, and determination of a recommended composition meeting those limitations using a continuous model relating the physical properties to the compositional variables. The method may extend to supplying a multi-component composition by further including one or more of calculating the cost of the recommended composition, calculating the price of the recommended composition, formulating a contracted amount of the recommended composition, and billing for a contracted amount of the recommended composition.

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus (33) for a roll of geotextile, which apparatus can be attached to a tractor's (conventional) three-point mounting, this apparatus comprising a long telescopic beam (34), or beam framework, having centrally thereof a three-point mounting (39) by which it can be attached behind a tractor (32) clear of the ground. The beam (34) has end plates (35) between which is a support rod (26) carrying a roll (27) of liner material. The present invention proposes that there be end beams (42) that can be moved in and out by a hydraulic ram (47, 48, 402) mounted between the main beam (41) and the end plates (43) to which the end beams (42) are secured, and that the bottom of each end plate (42) be provided with an inwardly-directed spigot (404, 405, 406) which can be directed into the hole through the liner roll (27) as the rams (47, 48, 402) draw back the end plates (42) to the correct spacing, and so provide the required roll support.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an energy conversion unit or assembly 18, a compressor unit or assembly 20, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through energy conversion unit 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to compressor 20, electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.

Abstract: A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set is provided for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit. The set comprises an arterial set component comprising arterial tubing having an arterial patient connector at one end and an arterial unit connector at the other. A venous set component has venous tubing with a venous patient connector at one end and a venous unit connector at the other end. The arterial and venous patient connectors, and the arterial and venous unit connectors, are respectively, substantially, and releasably directly connected to each other. As a result of this, the arterial, and venous set components cooperate to form a loop. Other features of improved sets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A remote monitoring diagnostic system and method utilize two different storage techniques. A time-coherent storage technique and change-detect storage technique are utilized to ensure that sensor signals are stored accurately and efficiently. A central diagnostic system can poll or pull the sensor values remotely. Additionally, an on-site monitor can perform anomaly detection to generate malfunction data.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an expander 18, a compressor 20, a motor/generator 76 which selectively generates electrical power and torque, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through expander 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas, rotatably drives compressor 20 and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for supplying air to a fuel cell 12 for use within a vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an expander unit 18, a compressor unit 20, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, a controller 30, and vehicle sensors 32, and a secondary compressor 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through expander unit 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and rotatably drives compressor 20. By utilizing the potential energy within the hydrogen gas to drive compressor 20, system 10 conserves energy and improves the overall fuel economy of the vehicle 14.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an energy conversion unit or assembly 18, a compressor unit or assembly 20, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through energy conversion unit 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to compressor 20, electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.

Abstract: A communication satellite system (100) is established using one or more satellite constellations (110, 120). The two or more satellite groups (110, 120) are connected via long range crosslinks (145) which provide a communication path between the long range satellites (150, 170) in the two satellite groups (110, 120). Each satellite group (110, 120) comprises long range satellites (150, 170) and short range satellites (160, 180) which are interconnected using short range crosslinks (155, 175). A single antenna on each satellite provides both crosslinks. The long range crosslink (145) is established using the antenna's main beam and the short range crosslinks (155, 175) are established using the antenna's sidelobes.

Abstract: A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set is provided for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit. The set comprises an arterial set component comprising arterial tubing having an arterial patient connector at one end and an arterial unit connector at the other. A venous set component has venous tubing with a venous patient connector at one end and a venous unit connector at the other end. The arterial and venous patient connectors, and the arterial and venous unit connectors, are respectively, substantially, and releasably directly connected to each other. As a result of this, the arterial, and venous set components cooperate to form a loop. Other features of improved sets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubular medical set as main blood flow tubing, a connected, flexible branch tube, a flow restriction device to suppress pressure pulses. The device is positioned to control flow through the branch tube. The flow restriction device permits substantially free, unhindered flow from the branch tube to the main blood flow tubing, while significantly restricting, but not completely blocking, flow from the main blood flow tubing to the branch tube.

Abstract: The invention is a continuous process for the preparation of polytrimethylene ether glycol from 1,3-propanediol reactant. In addition, the invention is directed to a continuous multi-stage process comprising reacting at least one reactant in a liquid phase in an up-flow column reactor, and forming a gas or vapor phase by-product wherein the gas or vapor phase by-product is continuously removed at the top and at least one intermediate stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of a cationic agrochemically active compound with an anionic polymer having negatively charged functional groups, with formation of electrostatic interactions for the controlled release of this active compound. This combination permits the suppression of antagonistic interactions of various active compounds with one another, and also better crop selectivity.