Abstract: Processes are described for the production of a pitch for use in the manufacture of carbon composite materials. The process comprises the steps of providing a purified coal product (PCP), wherein the PCP is in particulate form, and wherein at least about 90% by volume (% v) of the particles are no greater than about 25 ?m in diameter; wherein the PCP has an ash content of less than about 10% m; and combining the PCP with a feedstock for pitch to create a combined blended mixture suitable for thermal reaction followed by distillation to create a resultant pitch. The combined blended mixture comprises at least around 0.1% m and at most around 90% m PCP. Composite materials that find utility as carbon electrodes, particularly electrolytic baked carbon anodes, can be made from combining the pitch and PCP with a filler material, such as a pet coke.

Abstract: A fenestration assembly is provided. The assembly includes a stationary member, a moveable member coupled to the stationary member, a primary biasing member disposed between the stationary member and the moveable member to provide tension to a film coupled to the moveable member, and a reinforcement member coupled to the stationary member and configured to reinforce the assembly upon tension being provided to the film.

Abstract: A music sharing system that links an audio file to a location, and to music sharing systems that permit a first user to associate an audio file with a particular location, and share this information with a second user.

Abstract: A latch for an electrical device enclosure, wherein the latch comprises a moveable member operable in response to high pressure conditions inside the enclosure, and is configured to prevent opening of the enclosure in the event of high pressure conditions inside the enclosure.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun configured to emit an ablative plasma along an axis, and a plurality of electrodes, wherein each electrode is electrically coupled to a respective conductor of a circuit and is arranged substantially along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis such that each electrode is positioned substantially equidistant from the axis.

Abstract: A process to create a fungible global investment grade standard for cannabis. The process involves grouping various strains in an investment grade standard according to their specific characteristics and minimum expectations. Cannabis that conforms to the investment grade standard is interchangeable within a specific range according to an equivalent monetary bundling process. Cannabis subjected to the standard conform to a specified set of requirements that enables it to be used to create baskets of cannabis to form an index/benchmark for cannabis pricing, financial instruments, and a global investment grade standard that can be used for certifying cannabis as investment grade to ensure top measures of quality, consistency, and liquid market pricing. All forms of medical and recreational cannabis are included within the scope of this standard.

Abstract: A connection apparatus includes a housing portion comprising a back panel and side panels, the back panel and side panels partially defining a cavity having an access orifice, the side panels partially defining an entry area to the access orifice, a fuse holder assembly disposed in the cavity, and a cover disposed in the cavity between a portion of the fuse holder assembly and the entry area to the access orifice, the cover obscures a portion of the fuse holder assembly.

Abstract: A gas spring assembly is used to control movement of a vehicle body panel relative to a vehicle body member. The gas spring assembly includes a rod and piston that are received within a tube or cylinder. A first rod end is coupled to the piston to move the piston back and forth within the cylinder. A second rod end is mounted to one of the vehicle body panel or the vehicle body member. The cylinder is mounted to the other of the vehicle body panel or the vehicle body member. The gas spring assembly includes a resilient cover that covers the rod and cylinder and extends from the second rod end to a distal cylinder end. The resilient cover extends and retracts with rod movement and is sealed at each end of the resilient cover to provide a completely sealed gas spring assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing portion comprising a back panel, side panels, and a front panel, the back panel and side panels partially defining a cavity having an access orifice, the side panels partially defining an entry area to the access orifice, the front panel arranged to at least partially obscure the entry area to the access orifice and pivot about an axis of rotation, and a first switch disposed in the cavity including a first contact portion secured to the housing portion, and a removable contact portion connected to the front panel.

Abstract: A connection apparatus includes a housing portion comprising a back panel and side panels, the back panel and side panels partially defining a cavity having an access orifice, the side panels partially defining an entry area to the access orifice, a fuse holder assembly disposed in the cavity, and a cover disposed in the cavity between a portion of the fuse holder assembly and the entry area to the access orifice, the cover obscures a portion of the fuse holder assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing portion comprising a back panel, side panels, and a front panel, the back panel and side panels partially defining a cavity having an access orifice, the side panels partially defining an entry area to the access orifice, the front panel arranged to at least partially obscure the entry area to the access orifice and pivot about an axis of rotation, and a first switch disposed in the cavity including a first contact portion secured to the housing portion, and a removable contact portion connected to the front panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for a photovoltaic system in which multiple poles are connectable with multiple fuses is provided. The apparatus includes a rotor configured to occupy at least first and second rotational angles, a disconnect unit including a plurality of interrupter housings respectively configured to connect at least one of the multiple poles with at least one of the multiple fuses in accordance with a rotational angle of the rotor, at least one of the plurality of the interrupter housings being mutually connectable, a transmission unit disposed and configured to electrically combine the multiple poles into a lesser number of the multiple poles, a housing sized to house the rotor, the disconnect unit and the transmission unit and an actuator arm disposed at the exterior of the housing and configured to be selectively actuated to cause the rotor to occupy the at least one of the rotational angles.

Abstract: An ablative plasma gun includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein a chamber is defined by the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A controller for a power system including a plurality of power system components includes a memory for storing computer-executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions program the processor to determine an operating condition of at least one first power system component and at least one second power system component of the plurality of power system components. The processor is also programmed to determine whether a predetermined condition is met based on at least one operating condition, and transmit a command to at least one other controller to at least one of electrically couple the first power system component to the second power system component and electrically decouple the first power system component from the second power system component based on whether the predetermined condition is met.

Abstract: A controller for a power system including a plurality of power system components includes a memory for storing computer-executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions program the processor to determine an operating condition of at least one first power system component and at least one second power system component of the plurality of power system components. The processor is also programmed to determine whether a predetermined condition is met based on at least one operating condition, and transmit a command to at least one other controller to at least one of electrically couple the first power system component to the second power system component and electrically decouple the first power system component from the second power system component based on whether the predetermined condition is met.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun configured to emit an ablative plasma along an axis, and a plurality of electrodes, wherein each electrode is electrically coupled to a respective conductor of a circuit and is arranged substantially along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis such that each electrode is positioned substantially equidistant from the axis.

Abstract: An ablative plasma gun includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein a chamber is defined by the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A latch for an electrical device enclosure, wherein the latch comprises a moveable member operable in response to high pressure conditions inside the enclosure, and is configured to prevent opening of the enclosure in the event of high pressure conditions inside the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the enhancement of surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based detection assays of toxic industrial chemicals, biological agents and chemical agents. The methods can be used in any molecular recognition assay that uses a solid support and may be used in air. The invention also provides an SPR instrument that operates in imaging mode and utilizes both positive and negative shifts in SPR to identify analytes.