Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating an acetic acid feed stream in a first reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product may comprise, among other components, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and residual acetic acid. The process further comprises the step of recovering acetaldehyde from the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the steps of feeding a first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to the first reactor and reacting the first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the first reactor to form additional ethanol. In addition, the inventive process may comprise the steps of feeding a second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to a second reactor and reacting the second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the second reactor to faun an additional product.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities.

Abstract: Recovery of an ethyl acetate solvent, optionally with the recovery of ethanol, from a crude product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude product are employed to allow recovery of the ethyl acetate solvent.

Abstract: Recovery of an ester feed stream, optionally with the recovery of ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of the ester feed stream and for integration of the ester feed stream with an esters production process. The composition of the ester feed stream may vary, but at least comprises ethyl acetate and ethanol. The ester feed stream may be fed to one or more locations within the esters production process depending on the composition of the ester feed stream.

Abstract: A method of treating exhaust gases is described comprising the introduction of a treatment composition including or comprising a micelle encapsulating compound. A preferred embodiment the treatment comprises by volume; from about 4 to about 40 parts of an alkoxylated C16-C18 tertiary amine surfactant, from about 1 to about 15 parts of at least one carboxylic acid having from 4 to 16 carbon atoms; about 1 to 6 parts of at least one of a C6-C14 alcohol, from 0 to 10 parts of a C4 and lower alcohol, with the balance being water to create a total of about 100 parts by volume. The treatment composition may be introduced into a confined flow path for exhaust gases at a rate of 0.1 to 6% although a range above and below that may be suitable. The invention also extends to a system for treating exhaust gases comprising a confined flow path for the exhaust gases and an application arrangement for applying a treatment composition comprising or including a micelle encapsulating surfactant.

Abstract: An elastomeric spherical bearing includes a multiple of shims, at least two of which have different thicknesses. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the shims has a different thickness with a generally equivalent stress on each shim.

Abstract: An elastomeric spherical bearing includes a multiple of elastomeric layers with an essentially equivalent fatigue life.

Abstract: Described are techniques used automatic generation of classification rules used in machine learning. A single rule is formed of one or more logical expressions and an associated target. Using a set of training data, rules are formed one logical expression at a time using special data structures that require each feature to be sorted only once per rule formation. The FOIL gain metric is used in determining optimal splits for categorical features. Rule formation ceases with the production of five bad rules in which a bad rule is one in which there are more negative than positive examples in the training data set.

Abstract: A flexible optical illumination system may be used to illuminate components or areas of an electronic device such as mobile and portable communication devices. The flexible lightguide may manipulate and channel light selectively throughout an electronic assembly providing illumination for selective areas or an entire device. The lightguide may further include various filters and components for modifying, detecting and processing light and characteristics thereof. A flexible lightguide may be created from numerous optically transparent materials and processes such as film lamination, adhesive binding and molding. The lightguide may be created by a process that combines the manufacturing and assembly of the lightguide with the manufacturing and assembly of other components of the device. The lightguide may further be integrated into various mechanical or electronic components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a towing device which can be attached to a vehicle, in order to tow a heavy equipment vehicle, such as a tractor. The towing device includes a towbar hitch having two ends, a first end which attaches to a towing vehicle and a second end attached to a vehicle to be towed; a holder disposed at the second end of the towbar hitch, which holds the vehicle to be towed; and an attachment mechanism which attaches the vehicle to be towed, to the holder. The attachment mechanism includes a plurality of connectors or turnbuckles; and a plurality of links or chains which are attached to the holder, and to the vehicle to be towed. The connectors and the links can be adjusted in length.

Abstract: A kinetic sculpture comprises an axis of rotation, a plurality of spiral vanes, and a first assembly member. Each of the vanes has a longitudinal length that spirals about and along the axis of rotation and opposite first and second longitudinal end margins. The first assembly member connects the first end margin of each of the vanes to each other in a manner such that the first end margins of the vanes are circumferentially spaced from each other about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A light reflective object comprises an outer surface that defines a volume. The outer surface has at least first and second outer surface portions. The first and second surface portions are each convex and are each formed by a solid material that is at least partially transparent. The light reflective object further comprises opposite first and second reflective surfaces positioned within the volume between the first and second portions of the outer surface. Substantially all matter between the first reflective surface and the first outer surface portion consists of the solid material. Likewise, substantially all matter between the second reflective surface and the second outer surface portion consists of the solid material.

Abstract: A bag dispensing assembly for holding a plurality of bags while having the ability to dispense a single bag. The bag dispensing assembly comprises a plurality of bags, a bag holding cartridge, a plurality of buttons and a bag dispenser. The bags contain holes which are positioned over raised portions of the bag holding cartridge. The buttons are used to secure the bags to the bag holding cartridge. The bag dispenser has slots to receive the bag holding cartridge, complete with the bags and buttons secured to it. A user may remove an individual bag from the bag dispensing assembly along a perforation line.

Abstract: A bag dispensing assembly for holding a plurality of bags while having the ability to dispense a single bag. The bag dispensing assembly comprises a plurality of bags, a bag holding cartridge, a plurality of buttons and a bag dispenser. The bags contain holes which are positioned over raised portions of the bag holding cartridge. The buttons are used to secure the bags to the bag holding cartridge. The bag dispenser has slots to receive the bag holding cartridge, complete with the bags and buttons secured to it. A user may remove an individual bag from the bag dispensing assembly along a perforation line.

Abstract: A reformer module (10) comprises a hollow support member (12) having at least one passage (14) extending longitudinally therethrough. The hollow support member (14) has an external surface (20), a barrier layer (22) arranged on at least a portion of the external surface (20) of the hollow support member (12), a catalyst layer (24) arranged on the barrier layer (22) and a sealing layer (26) arranged on the catalyst layer (24) and the external surface (20) of the hollow support member (12) other than the at least a portion of the external surface of the hollow support member (12). By providing the barrier layer (22) and the catalyst layer (24) on the exterior surface (20) of the hollow support member (12), the distribution of the barrier layer (22) and/or the catalyst layer (24) may be more precisely controlled and thus a non-uniform distribution of barrier layer (22) and/or catalyst layer (24) may be achieved.

Abstract: The air intake manifold assembly includes a manifold with a plurality of air intake ports for fluid communication with a plurality of engine cylinders, respectively, and a composite flange assembly associated with the air intake ports. The composite flange assembly is adapted to connect the air intake ports with the engine cylinders. The composite flange assembly includes a polymeric flange and a metal reinforcement member joined to the polymeric flange. The metal reinforcement member defines one or more openings and the polymeric flange is joined with the metal reinforcement member, such that at least a portion of the polymeric flange extends through the openings and forms one or more annular surfaces for contacting the engine cylinders. The metal reinforcement member may be integrally molded with the polymeric flange, or joined to the polymeric flange by interference engagement therewith. The polymeric flange may partially encapsulate the metal reinforcement member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a towing device which can be attached to a vehicle, in order to tow a heavy equipment vehicle, such as a tractor. The towing device includes a towbar hitch having two ends, a first end which attaches to a towing vehicle and a second end attached to a vehicle to be towed; a holder disposed at the second end of the towbar hitch, which holds the vehicle to be towed; and an attachment mechanism which attaches the vehicle to be towed, to the holder. The attachment mechanism includes a plurality of connectors or turnbuckles; and a plurality of links or chains which are attached to the holder, and to the vehicle to be towed. The connectors and the links can be adjusted in length.

Abstract: An EMI shield for blocking and dissipating electromagnetic interference. The EMI shield includes a primary conductive member having a plurality of catches extending into a plurality of receptacles defined in an absorptive member so as to firmly connect the members. Advantageously, the absorptive member is sufficiently solid to be retained against the primary conductive member during normal use. In addition, the absorptive member is constructed of materials capable of withstanding a temperature range of 139° C. to 260° C. associated with most soldering operations. In this manner, the conductive and absorptive members can be attached prior to soldering of the EMI shield to electronic circuitry of a mobile station. The catches may have sharp edges allowing the absorptive member to be pressed onto the catches.

Abstract: The information retrieval system, method and computer product of the present invention is an automated background process that requires no integration programming, manual mapping, or user intervention. In one embodiment, a task is initiated and communicated to at least one physician system having a text data collection. The task can be a query response or user defined. A predetermined template is selected from a plurality of templates which corresponds to the text data collection at the physician system. The plurality of templates are associated with dissimilar text data collections. Information is identified in the text data collection at the physician system. The information is extracted from the text data collection, and transmitted to the service provider system. In another embodiment, a system for identifying and extracting information from dissimilar text data collections is provided.

Abstract: An EMI shield for blocking and dissipating electromagnetic interference. The EMI shield includes a primary conductive member having a plurality of catches extending into a plurality of receptacles defined in an absorptive member so as to firmly connect the members. Advantageously, the absorptive member is sufficiently solid to be retained against the primary conductive member during normal use. In addition, the absorptive member is constructed of materials capable of withstanding a temperature range of 139° C. to 260° C. associated with most soldering operations. In this manner, the conductive and absorptive members can be attached prior to soldering of the EMI shield to electronic circuitry of a mobile station. The catches may have sharp edges allowing the absorptive member to be pressed onto the catches.