Abstract: A method of maintaining a body of water in a usable condition where a sensor located in the body of water transmits information on water conditions to a server with the server including a database with the server generating a first maintenance recommendation if it is determined that the body of water contains a synergistic chemical combination and a different recommendation if it is determined that the body of water does not contain a synergistic chemical combination even though the transmitted information on the water conditions are the same.

Abstract: One variation of a method—for controlling a breathing mask comprising a flow control module configured to mate to nostrils of a user and comprising an actuator configured to adjust obstruction to airflow out of the flow control module—includes: accessing a wake alarm time; accessing a sleep delay duration; at a first time, receiving an indicator that the user is preparing for sleep; in response to receiving the indicator, triggering the actuator to transition from a minimum-restriction position toward a maximum-restriction position at a second time succeeding the first time by the sleep delay duration, the actuator minimally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the minimum-restriction position and maximally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the maximally—restriction position; and, prior to the wake alarm time, triggering the actuator to transition back to the minimum-restriction position.

Abstract: One variation of a method—for controlling a breathing mask comprising a flow control module configured to mate to nostrils of a user and comprising an actuator configured to adjust obstruction to airflow out of the flow control module—includes: accessing a wake alarm time; accessing a sleep delay duration; at a first time, receiving an indicator that the user is preparing for sleep; in response to receiving the indicator, triggering the actuator to transition from a minimum-restriction position toward a maximum-restriction position at a second time succeeding the first time by the sleep delay duration, the actuator minimally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the minimum-restriction position and maximally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the maximally-restriction position; and, prior to the wake alarm time, triggering the actuator to transition back to the minimum-restriction position.

Abstract: Calendar management devices and systems are disclosed that are configured with hardware to generate a calendar object and a calendar share identifier associated with the calendar object, and to cause the calendar share identifier to be provided to each of a plurality of calendar users. User input is received indicating a new event associated with the calendar object, and in response to the user input, the device(s) are configured to determine an authorization level of the new event based on the user input, generate a calendar event object comprising the authorization level, and automatically send a publication request to a remote server over a network, wherein said sending the publication request directs the remote server to determine a subset of the plurality of calendar users based on the authorization level and to send the event object to each of the subset of the plurality of calendar users.

Abstract: One variation of a method—for controlling a breathing mask comprising a flow control module configured to mate to nostrils of a user and comprising an actuator configured to adjust obstruction to airflow out of the flow control module—includes: accessing a wake alarm time; accessing a sleep delay duration; at a first time, receiving an indicator that the user is preparing for sleep; in response to receiving the indicator, triggering the actuator to transition from a minimum-restriction position toward a maximum-restriction position at a second time succeeding the first time by the sleep delay duration, the actuator minimally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the minimum-restriction position and maximally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the maximally-restriction position; and, prior to the wake alarm time, triggering the actuator to transition back to the minimum-restriction position.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer including a deformable region and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer, the substrate defining fluid channel and cooperating with the deformable region to define a variable volume fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a displacement device coupled to the bladder, displacing fluid into the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting, and displacing fluid out of the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting, the displacement device defining a equilibrium range of fluid pressures within the fluid channel; a reservoir fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and supporting a reserve volume of fluid; and a valve selectively controlling transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel.

Abstract: One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes: a tactile layer including a deformable region and a peripheral region adjacent the deformable region; a substrate coupled to the tactile layer, the substrate defining fluid channel and cooperating with the deformable region to define a variable volume fluidly coupled to the fluid channel; a displacement device coupled to the bladder, displacing fluid into the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the retracted setting to the expanded setting, and displacing fluid out of the variable volume to transition the deformable region from the expanded setting to the retracted setting, the displacement device defining a equilibrium range of fluid pressures within the fluid channel; a reservoir fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and supporting a reserve volume of fluid; and a valve selectively controlling transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable storage box comprising: a lower portion, where said lower portion includes a base and four sidewalls, where said sidewalls form a storage space; and a lid, where said lid covers the storage space. The lid may be slidably coupled to at least two sidewalls through a channel or a depression configured on a top portion of the at least two sidewalls. In another exemplary embodiment, the lid may be hingedly coupled to one of the sidewalls. The lid may also include a holding mechanism configured on a top surface thereof for manipulating, such as holding and sliding, the lid. Exemplary embodiments o the holding mechanism may include a clip or an aperture configured in the top surface of the lid.

Abstract: A dual band imager includes a radiation absorbing layer for absorbing light of a first wavelength coupled to a readout circuit (ROIC), and at least one radiation detector for detecting light of a second wavelength coupled to the ROIC via a corresponding opening extending through the radiation absorbing layer.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a detector of electromagnetic radiation includes: a substrate; at least one layer of semiconductor material formed on the substrate, said at least one layer of semiconductor material defining a radiation absorbing and detecting region; an electrical contact configured to couple said region to a readout circuit; and a fuse coupled between the region and the electrical contact. In another exemplary embodiment, a fusible link between a first component and a second component is provided and includes: a fuse with an undercut located underneath at least a portion of the fuse; a first contact coupling the first component to the fuse; and a second contact coupling the second component to the fuse, wherein the undercut is disposed between the first contact and the second contact. In another exemplary embodiment, a fusible link includes a fuse having a layer of material having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (10) are disclosed for handling pallets (S) to be inspected and sorted. The method can include tipping a substantially vertically oriented pallet (L) in a forward rotational direction to expose and allow inspection of a trailing major (17) surface of the pallet. A lower portion of the pallet then can be moved to cause the pallet to tip in a rearward rotational direction and land in a substantially horizontal position. The apparatus can include a pallet restraining device (16) for blocking the motion of an upper portion of the pallet as it tips in the forward rotational direction and a conveyor (30) for moving the lower portion of the pallet to cause the pallet to tip in the rearward rotational direction.

Abstract: A process for treating a gas comprising hydrogen suilfide and carbon dioxide by contacting the gas with a scrub solution comprising ammonium sulfite and ammonium bisulfite in a first contact zone to produce ammonium thiosulfate. The scrub solution can be formed in a second contact zone by contacting ammonia and hydrogen sulfide with an aqueous solution. The oxidation potential of the first contact zone effluent liquid can be controlled by modulating the amount of sulfur dioxide supplied to the second contact zone. Alternatively, the sulfite concentration of the first contact zone effluent can be measured with an infrared analyzer and the amount of sulfur dioxide supplied to the second contact zone modulated in response. Additionally, the amount of ammonia supplied to the second contact zone can be modulated in response to the pH in the second contact zone. The process can further comprise a solvent scrubber to remove carbon dioxide from the first contact zone overhead gas.

Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are thermally upgraded in a pressurized steam environment to remove moisture and other byproducts. A variety of water/solid separation devices may be employed in a process vessel to maximize moisture removal from the upgraded charge. Heating media inlet nozzles and process chamber vents are strategically positioned at the process vessel wall to minimize short circuiting of heating media to vessel outlet vents and to continuously separate hot water removed from the charge and condensed steam, such that the upgraded material removed from the process vessel is not discharged with accompanying free moisture. After upgrading, the charge may be rehydrated to improve its stability during shipping and storage.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the water content of a sulfuric acid catalyst in a sulfuric acid-catalyzed process carried out in a reactor comprising: (a) withdrawing a portion of catalyst from the acid settler, forming a withdrawn catalyst stream; (b) continuously adding an SO3-containing substance to the withdrawn catalyst stream at a desired rate, forming a fortified catalyst, while maintaining the temperature of the fortified catalyst stream below about 60° F.; (c) returning the fortified catalyst to the reactor; whereby the water concentration in the fortified catalyst is maintained at 1.5 to 4 weight percent of the catalyst. A method is also provided for drying paraffinic feed or recycle hydrocarbon streams in a reactor system comprising contacting the feed or recycle hydrocarbon streams with spent sulfuric acid, whereby the feed or recycle streams are dried and whereby a portion of the sulfuric acid esters in the spent acid are converted to sulfuric acid and alkylate.

Abstract: A control arm assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle includes a one-piece extruded control arm for operative connection to a frame of the vehicle. The control arm assembly also includes at least one of a bushing and/or balljoint connected to the control arm and for connection to structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing or assembling a plurality of printed circuit boards to reduce rework at a printed circuit board assembly facility, which may include the following: cutting a first solder paste stencil based on a first solder paste stencil data set on a solder paste stencil cutting machine or device; utilizing the first stencil to apply solder paste to a first printed circuit board at a manufacturing or assembly facility; identifying a solder paste error condition with solder paste error information on the first printed circuit board; transmitting the solder paste error information for remote analysis; generating an adjusted first data set; transmitting the adjusted first data set to the printed circuit board manufacturing or assembly facility; utilizing the adjusted first data set to cut another solder paste stencil based on the adjusted stencil data; and utilizing the adjusted first solder paste stencil to manufacture a second printed circuit board without the solder paste error cond

Abstract: Feed grains for livestock rations or ethanol production are treated with a solution containing a non-protein nitrogen compound, such as urea, to enhance digestibility. The enhanced digestibility of the treated grain improves the feed utilization efficiency of the livestock ration. The treatment solution of this invention may be used with or without accompanying mechanical processing, such as dry-rolling.

Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are thermally upgraded in a pressurized steam environment to remove moisture and other byproducts. A variety of water/solid separation devices may be employed in a process vessel to maximize moisture removal from the upgraded charge. Heating media inlet nozzles and process chamber vents are strategically positioned at the process vessel wall to minimize short circuiting of heating media to vessel outlet vents and to continuously separate hot water removed from the charge and condensed steam, such that the upgraded material removed from the process vessel is not discharged with accompanying free moisture. After upgrading, the charge may be rehydrated to improve its stability during shipping and storage.

Abstract: A vehicle vision system displays a vehicle pathway image that includes a reticle for visually identifying the in-path portion of the image. A reticle array is disposed between a video camera chip and a lens, and includes a conical or frustro-conical region of substantially un-attenuated light transmissivity surrounded by a region of perceptibly attenuated light transmissivity, such that in-path portions of the displayed image are substantially unchanged and out-of-path portions of the displayed image are perceptibly attenuated. The reticle array may also include a number of reduced transmissivity lines traversing its conical or frustro-conical region to produce a series of receding stadia lines in the in-path portion of the displayed image, enabling the driver to reliably discern the range of displayed objects.

Abstract: A back-up system for aiding a driver in backing a motor vehicle performs a number of functions when a motor vehicle is placed in a reverse direction. Initially, an image of an area at the rear of the motor vehicle provided by a camera is visually displayed on a monitor, which is positioned so as to be visually accessible by a driver of the motor vehicle. Then, a distance to an object that is within a path of the motor vehicle is sensed with a radar sensor. Next, a warning is provided when the object is within a predetermined collision distance. Finally, when the motor vehicle is placed in a forward direction, the display of the image on the monitor is discontinued.