Abstract: An elevated colander facilitates separating a mixture of solids and fluid while reducing risk of contamination of the solids from backsplash than traditional methods and devices. The colander may be placed into a larger receptacle (e.g., sink) from which fluid may be disposed, and a mixture of solids and fluids may be poured into the colander to isolate the solids from the fluids. Fluids entering the colander may escape through a plurality of holes in outer walls of the colander and spill into the larger receptacle. A lower ring and bottom surface of the elevated colander below the outer walls may each prevent a measure of backsplash from reentering the colander, thereby minimizing contamination of the solids from the larger receptacle. A support structure extending from the bottom surface may elevate the colander and its contents above pooling fluid accumulating below.

Abstract: Apparatus. methods. and systems for heat treatment of solid materials utilizing an indirect rotary calciner comprising one or more thermal expansion tolerant inner tubes fixed to an outer rotating shell. for example. by one or more resilient support members. The described methods of thermal treatment may be particularly utilized with cement and lime production processes and/or other heat treatment applications. such as pyrolysis.

Abstract: A cable termination that enables the attachment of SMA connectors to controlled-impedance cables with a conductive foil wrap shield; for the separate ferrule embodiment, the sheath is stripped back on the cable, exposing the foil shield surrounding the dielectric; a ferrule is slid or clamped over the foil shield and bonded; the face of the ferrule is dressed so that the foil shield and dielectric are flush with the ferrule face and the signal conductor protrudes from the face this cable subassembly is installed in the boss of a housing that prevents movement of the ferrules relative to each other and so that each ferrule face is aligned with an opening in the boss through which an SMA connector barrel is attached to the ferrule a cover secures the cable subassembly in the housing.

Abstract: An elevated colander facilitates separating a mixture of solids and fluid while reducing risk of contamination of the solids from backsplash than traditional methods and devices. The colander may be placed into a larger receptacle (e.g., sink) from which fluid may be disposed, and a mixture of solids and fluids may be poured into the colander to isolate the solids from the fluids. Fluids entering the colander may escape through a plurality of holes in outer walls of the colander and spill into the larger receptacle. A lower ring and bottom surface of the elevated colander below the outer walls may each prevent a measure of backsplash from reentering the colander, thereby minimizing contamination of the solids from the larger receptacle. A support structure extending from the bottom surface may elevate the colander and its contents above pooling fluid accumulating below.

Abstract: A system for directly tracking human activity is described. The system comprises a plurality of interactive activity objects such as, construction toys, that interact with each other in one or more activities involving physical manipulation of the interactive activity objects by a person; at least one wearable device associated with the person to track the person's activity by sensing the person's movements, to obtain data directly relating to the person's activity; and a database to record the person's direct activity and at least some of the person's direct physical manipulation of with the interactive activity objects.

Abstract: An audio personalisation method for a user, to reproduce an area-based or volumetric sound source, includes the steps of, for a head related transfer function ‘HRTF’ associated with the user, smoothing HRTF coefficients relating to peaks and notches in the HRTF's spectral response, responsive to the size of the area or volume of the sound source; filtering the sound source using the smoothed HRTF for the notional position of the sound source; and outputting the filtered sound source signal for playback to the user.

Abstract: A cable termination that enables the attachment of SMA connectors to controlled-impedance cables with a conductive foil wrap shield; for the separate ferrule embodiment, the sheath is stripped back on the cable, exposing the foil shield surrounding the dielectric; a ferrule is slid or clamped over the foil shield and bonded; the face of the ferrule is dressed so that the foil shield and dielectric are flush with the ferrule face and the signal conductor protrudes from the face this cable subassembly is installed in the boss of a housing that prevents movement of the ferrules relative to each other and so that each ferrule face is aligned with an opening in the boss through which an SMA connector barrel is attached to the ferrule a cover secures the cable subassembly in the housing.

Abstract: A water heater that includes a cylindrical storage tank and at least one heating element, is modeled using a one-dimensional model that includes: a vertical stack of disks representing the water volume in the cylindrical storage tank, and a stack of annular segments surrounding the vertical stack of disks. Various temperature measurements are determined via resistance calculations of the at least one heating element. The stack of annular segments represents the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical storage tank. The one-dimensional model may be used by a condition-based maintenance system comprising an electronic data processing device configured to detect a failure mode present in the water heater based on an output of the water heating model component. Some illustrative failure modes include insulation disturbance, heating element failure, excessive sediment buildup, or a drip tube rupture.

Abstract: A water heater that includes a cylindrical storage tank and at least one heating element, is modeled using a one-dimensional model that includes: a vertical stack of disks representing the water volume in the cylindrical storage tank, and a stack of annular segments surrounding the vertical stack of disks. Various temperature measurements are determined via resistance calculations of the at least one heating element. The stack of annular segments represents the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical storage tank. The one-dimensional model may be used by a condition-based maintenance system comprising an electronic data processing device configured to detect a failure mode present in the water heater based on an output of the water heating model component. Some illustrative failure modes include insulation disturbance, heating element failure, excessive sediment buildup, or a drip tube rupture.

Abstract: A cold load pickup device includes a load controller comprising a microprocessor or microcontroller. The device is programmed to detect restoration of power after a power outage on a circuit powering an electric load. A power outage time for the power outage is determined, and a startup delay for the electric load is determined based on the power outage time. A startup delay mechanism, such as a power relay operated by the load controller or switching of the load on/off by the load controller, is configured to apply the startup delay after the detected restoration of power before restarting the electric load. In some embodiments, the startup delay for the electric load is determined based on the power outage time and a startup delay versus power outage time curve stored in a non-volatile memory of the load controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing activated carbon from a particulate coal feedstock that involve one or more of the introduction of a buffering gas, a moisture spray, a finest carbon fraction as a fuel, and certain gas ratios. Different methods and system configurations allow the production of activated carbon or other heat-treated carbons while concurrently avoiding adverse reaction conditions.

Abstract: A cold load pickup device includes a load controller comprising a microprocessor or microcontroller. The device is programmed to detect restoration of power after a power outage on a circuit powering an electric load. A power outage time for the power outage is determined, and a startup delay for the electric load is determined based on the power outage time. A startup delay mechanism, such as a power relay operated by the load controller or switching of the load on/off by the load controller, is configured to apply the startup delay after the detected restoration of power before restarting the electric load. In some embodiments, the startup delay for the electric load is determined based on the power outage time and a startup delay versus power outage time curve stored in a non-volatile memory of the load controller.

Abstract: A thermal distribution and regulation system for a garment that includes a self-contained heat source, such as a catalytic heat source. A heat manifold extends about a surface of the heat source and is mechanically adjusted relative to the surface of the heat source to control the contact surface area between the heat source and heat manifold to regulate heat conducted from the heat source. The heat manifold is configured to engage the surface of the heat source at more than one predetermined location to prevent inadvertent movement between the heat source and heat manifold. The system also includes a plurality of heat conductors coupled to the heat manifold and affixed to the garment. An end of each heat conductor is coupled to the heat manifold for conducting heat from the heat manifold to the garment to warm the garment.

Abstract: Tool for finishing a plastic filler includes an elongate member having a first end and an opposing second end; on the first end of the member is an absorbent/adsorbent structural component; and on the second end of the member is a spatula blade. The elongate member may have a stabilizing contrivance for the absorbent/adsorbent structural component and/or spatula blade. The spatula blade may have a laterally extending rib.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing activated carbon from a particulate coal feedstock that involve one or more of the introduction of a buffering gas, a moisture spray, a finest carbon fraction as a fuel, and certain gas ratios. Different methods and system configurations allow the production of activated carbon or other heat-treated carbons while concurrently avoiding adverse reaction conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing activated carbon from a particulate coal feedstock that include the introduction of a buffering gas, a moisture spray, a finest carbon fraction as a fuel, and certain gas ratios. Different methods and system configurations allow the production of activated carbon or other heat-treated carbons while concurrently avoiding adverse reaction conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing activated carbon from a particulate coal feedstock that include the introduction of an activation medium such that the water content of the coal feedstock is equal to or greater than that of the feedstock's naturally occurring state. Different methods and system configurations allow the production of activated carbon or other heat-treated carbons while concurrently avoiding adverse reaction conditions.

Abstract: Methods for preparing metakaolin-enhanced industrial minerals. Mixing and heating kaolinite clay with an industrial mineral, such as activated carbon, that is between 750° F. and 1400° F. results in a metakaolin/activated carbon complex that provides good mercury sorbent qualities while producing a fly ash (after use as a sorbent in emissions applications) that has a lower foaming index.

Abstract: Handle for an object includes a member for grasping with a hand. The member has a lower opening for passage or accommodation of fingers and a web or palm of the hand, and an upper opening for passage or accommodation of a thumb of the hand. A strap may be attached to the member for embracing and securing the object. The strap can include a band portion having a tension buffer segment, and a band lock. The handle can be found in combination with the object, for example, a metal paint can, say, a one-gallon metal paint can.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing activated carbon from a particulate coal feedstock that include the introduction of a buffering gas, a moisture spray, a finest carbon fraction as a fuel, and certain gas ratios. Different methods and system configurations allow the production of activated carbon or other heat-treated carbons while concurrently avoiding adverse reaction conditions.