Abstract: A method for extraction and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) uses a solvent mixture that is effective for extraction and also compatible with disposable polypropylene solid phase extraction (SPE) tubes. The petroleum product is mixed with an organic solvent, then an extraction solvent made up of a volume ratio of 70:30 to 90:10 acetonitrile to ethyl acetate is added to the mixture. The organic solvent and PAHs are adsorbed in the extraction solvent mixture, leaving the oils behind. The extract, including the solvents and PAHs, can be transferred to a disposable SPE tube for further sample processing, analysis and disposal.

Abstract: A hydraulic system may include an electric motor and a power source electrically coupled to the electric motor. During operation of the hydraulic system in an energy recovery mode, a net negative torque may be applied to the electric motor causing the electric motor to convert a mechanical power output to an electrical input and provide the electrical input to the power source. The hydraulic system may include a controller configured to determine a time that the hydraulic system operates in the energy recovery mode and cause, during the time that the hydraulic system operates in the energy recovery mode, application of an energy recovery prevention torque to the hydraulic system. The energy recovery prevention torque may prevent the electric motor from converting the mechanical power output to the electrical input and providing the electrical input to the power source.

Abstract: A hydraulic system may include an electric motor and a power source electrically coupled to the electric motor. During operation of the hydraulic system in an energy recovery mode, a net negative torque may be applied to the electric motor causing the electric motor to convert a mechanical power output to an electrical input and provide the electrical input to the power source. The hydraulic system may include a controller configured to determine a time that the hydraulic system operates in the energy recovery mode and cause, during the time that the hydraulic system operates in the energy recovery mode, application of an energy recovery prevention torque to the hydraulic system. The energy recovery prevention torque may prevent the electric motor from converting the mechanical power output to the electrical input and providing the electrical input to the power source.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for location-based targeted recommendations comprising identifying a location of a user using a user device. Local business data within a vicinity of the identified location of the user, wherein the local business data comprises a list of local businesses with principal place of business or headquarters within the vicinity of the identified location is determined. The determined local business data is filtered based on user criteria, and the filtered local business data is provided to the user device.

Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, flap-type fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the flap-type sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process. One or more feedback loops may be used to improve the particle manipulation process, based on data acquired during the first interrogation and/or during a downstream confirmation. Artificial intelligence techniques may be used to good effect.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable container system comprising a container which comprises a floor, four upwardly-extending sidewalls, wherein at least one of the sidewalls is hinged to allow the at least one sidewall to open outwardly, and a top wall. The system also comprises a plurality of skids contained within the container. Each skid comprises a base and one or more upwardly extending members; and one or more cabinets mounted on the base or one or more upwardly extending members, wherein the one or more cabinets comprise: control power distribution panel cabinets, human-machine interface cabinets, programmable logic controller-redundancy cabinets, network cabinets, or remote I/O cabinets.

Abstract: Example remote assistance systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a diagnostics system receives a description of a home-related issue from a user and identifies a user profile associated with the user. The diagnostics system further determines a complexity associated with resolving the issue and determines the user's ability to perform activities to resolve the issue based on the user profile and the complexity associated with resolving the issue. The diagnostics system then determines a level of support based on the user's ability to perform activities to resolve the issue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable container system comprising a container which comprises a floor, four upwardly-extending sidewalls, wherein at least one of the sidewalls is hinged to allow the at least one sidewall to open outwardly, and a top wall. The system also comprises a plurality of skids contained within the container. Each skid comprises a base and one or more upwardly extending members; and one or more cabinets mounted on the base or one or more upwardly extending members, wherein the one or more cabinets comprise: control power distribution panel cabinets, human-machine interface cabinets, programmable logic controller-redundancy cabinets, network cabinets, or remote I/O cabinets.

Abstract: A motor includes an armature, a coil, and a magnetic support structure. The motor also includes at least one magnet that defines a space. The coil forms a tunnel. The space is defined by the at least one magnet being aligned with the tunnel formed by the coil. Portions of the armature extend through the space and the tunnel. An opening at an end of the coil is shaped so as to restrict movement of the armature.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a presentation offering an item for sale by a seller is provided on a computing device. An offer for purchase of the item including an offer amount and a buyer shipping address can be received. A notification identifying the item and the offer can be generated. The notification can include an option to respond to the offer with a request for an additional fee. An option to request a quote for the additional fee can be presented and a selection of the option to request a quote for the additional fee can be detected. A quote for the additional fee can be generated. A quote notification that includes the quote for the additional fee can be generated. The quote notification can include a first option to select the quote for the additional fee and a second option to provide a user quote for the additional fee.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a presentation offering one or more items is provided on a computing device and an offer for purchase of an item of the one or more items is received. In some instances, the offer for purchase identifies an offer amount. Payment method information related to a payment method is received and a request to authorize the payment method in a reserve amount can be transmitted. A confirmation that the payment method is authorized in the reserve amount can be received and a notification identifying the item and the first offer can be generated. The notification can include an option to respond to the first offer, in some instances, the option to respond can include an option to accept the first offer and an option to provide a counteroffer.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a first acoustic element, a second acoustic element, and a registration portion. The first acoustic element and the second acoustic element are elements such as a coil, a reed, or a yoke. The registration portion is configured to register the first acoustic element with respect to the second acoustic element such that an exact and relative alignment and positioning between the first acoustic element and second acoustic element is provided and ensured.

Abstract: A motor includes an armature, a coil, and a magnetic support structure. The motor also includes at least one magnet that defines a space. The coil forms a tunnel. The space is defined by the at least one magnet being aligned with the tunnel formed by the coil. Portions of the armature extend through the space and the tunnel. An opening at an end of the coil is shaped so as to restrict movement of the armature.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a first acoustic element, a second acoustic element, and a registration portion. The first acoustic element and the second acoustic element are elements such as a coil, a reed, or a yoke. The registration portion is configured to register the first acoustic element with respect to the second acoustic element such that an exact and relative alignment and positioning between the first acoustic element and second acoustic element is provided and ensured.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a first acoustic element, a second acoustic element, and a registration portion. The first acoustic element and the second acoustic element are elements such as a coil, a reed, or a yoke. The registration portion is configured to register the first acoustic element with respect to the second acoustic element such that an exact and relative alignment and positioning between the first acoustic element and second acoustic element is provided and ensured.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for electronically offering, scheduling, and/or coordinating follow-up communications regarding test drives of motor vehicles. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for electronically scheduling a test drive of a motor vehicle for an end-user and facilitating a motor vehicle purchase or lease by the end-user subsequent to the test drive.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically generating and filtering real-time data search results in a matrix display, filtered by client-side data manipulation. The method includes, responsive to a search request, retrieving a set of search results, wherein each search result is associated with an image. The method includes filtering the search results based on client-side manipulation of search results criteria. The method includes displaying a matrix of the associated search results and images, wherein each image is automatically resized, in part, based on the number of search results. The method includes, responsive to client-side manipulation of search result criteria, removing irrelevant search results and resizing remaining result images, in part, based on the number of remaining search results.

Abstract: A membrane connector (1) has a generally annular body (2) having an interior region (8). An elongate projection (10) projects from the body into the interior region (8). In use, the body (2) is attached to a membrane (14) such as a yacht sail and allows a fastener such as a rope to be attached to the membrane, via the connector (1), to control or secure the membrane. The fastener typically comprises a loop of flexible material (18, 24) which may be easily placed over the projection (10) so that force can be applied to the membrane in a direction that is generally coincident with a longitudinal axis of the projection. The connector (1) allows membranes such as sails to be easily and quickly taken down and reset and has no moving parts so it is not prone to failure.

Abstract: A system for data communication in a space illuminated by a plurality of illumination sources that are powered by a common power feed. The system includes a power modulation unit which is interposed in the common power feed, upstream of each of the illumination sources. The power modulation unit induces a change in the signal of the power feed in response to received data and effects variations in illumination intensity in the space provided by the illumination sources. The data is provided by a data source computer. At least one optical receiver is in the illuminated space and is in optical communication with at least one of the illumination sources. The optical receiver is responsive to changes in the incident light from the illumination sources resulting from the power modulation unit. The system can be used to communicate and display product data in an electronic shelf tag system.