Abstract: A system and method for heating a surface. The system can be a solar panel system and the surface can be a solar panel. The system includes a heat source and a processor. The processor determines an amount of heating energy for removing an accumulated material from the solar panel to obtain an unobstructed solar panel, determines an amount of energy production of the unobstructed solar panel, and controls the heat source to apply the determined amount of heating energy to the solar panel when the determined amount of energy production is greater than the amount of heating energy.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner including a housing, a cavity defined within the housing, and a removable debris container received within the cavity. The pool cleaner includes a modular components that may be individually accessed and/or removed for servicing or replacement without disturbing other system components. The pool cleaner can include electronics modularly housed in an electronics housing. The pool cleaner can include a modular drive system for moving the pool cleaner, and a modular hydraulic system that draws water and debris into the housing, and discharges filtered water, providing thrust to the pool cleaner. Also, scrubbers individually coupled to the housing can include helical vanes configured to guide debris into a debris inlet of the pool cleaner.

Abstract: A hub assembly includes a primary support defining a first primary support end and a second primary support end, the primary support defining a primary cut out portion; a secondary support defining a first secondary support end and a second secondary support end, the secondary support defining a secondary cut out portion, the second secondary support end defining a first opening and a second opening; a pin extending through the first primary support end and the first secondary support end, the pin hingedly coupling the first primary support end to the first secondary support end; and a locking mechanism extending through the second secondary support end, the locking mechanism including a first pin member engaging the first opening; a second pin member engaging the second opening; and a spring captured between the first pin member and the second pin member.

Abstract: A flexible hose support bracket assembly includes a first bracket portion including a first leg coupled to a first bar element; a second bracket portion including a second leg coupled to a second bar element; and a hub assembly including a primary support defining a first primary support end and a second primary support end, the second primary support end defining a slot; a secondary support defining a first secondary support end and a second secondary support end, the second secondary support end defining a first opening; a pin hingedly coupling the first primary support end to the first secondary support end; and a locking pin extending through the first opening.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket includes a first bracket portion with a first leg and a first bar element, a second bracket portion with a second leg and a second bar element, and a hub assembly supported on at least one of the first and second bracket portions. The hub assembly can be configured to couple a flexible hose to the adjustable bracket. The first bar element can be telescopically received by the second bar element so that a distance between the first and second legs is selectively adjustable. A fastener can fix the first and second bar elements in a desired relationship. The hub assembly can include first and second support members that are pivotably connected to rotate between open and closed positions. The second support member may have a slot that allows the second support member to rotate and move laterally with respect to the first support member.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical fiber is provided that includes the steps of flowing a first gas into an optical fiber draw furnace. The first gas is passed through a heated section configured to contain and heat a glass source from which the optical fiber is drawn, passing the first gas through a muffle which defines a capture chamber. A portion of the first gas is removed through at least one reclaim port operatively coupled to the capture chamber. A second gas flows into a gas screen at a rate configured to substantially recover a pressure drop associated with removing the portion of the first gas.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical fiber is provided that includes the steps of flowing a first gas into an optical fiber draw furnace. The first gas is passed through a heated section configured to contain and heat a glass source from which the optical fiber is drawn, passing the first gas through a muffle which defines a capture chamber. A portion of the first gas is removed through at least one reclaim port operatively coupled to the capture chamber. A second gas flows into a gas screen at a rate configured to substantially recover a pressure drop associated with removing the portion of the first gas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to monitor and evaluate vehicle operator behavior. An example apparatus includes at least one processor to process image data to identify a traffic sign in relation to a vehicle; identify a driver event using a pattern of objects including the traffic sign and the vehicle in the image data; and evaluate compliance with a driver event rule for the driver event by at least: a) calculating a proximity of the traffic sign to the vehicle based on i) a distance between the vehicle and the traffic sign and ii) an operating state of the vehicle; b) comparing the proximity of the traffic sign and the operating state of the vehicle to determine an actual vehicle operating behavior; and c) generating a score associated with operation of the vehicle by comparing the actual vehicle operating behavior with the reference vehicle operating behavior.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to monitor and evaluate vehicle operator behavior. An example method includes processing, using a particularly programmed processor, image data obtained with respect to a vehicle to identify an object in the image data. The example method includes measuring, using the mobile device, a geographic location of the vehicle. The example method includes determining, using the mobile device, an operating state of the vehicle. The example method includes analyzing the object in the image data, the geographic location, and the operating state of the vehicle to determine a behavior of the vehicle. The example method includes generating a score for a driver associated with the vehicle by comparing the behavior of the vehicle with a reference behavior, the reference behavior quantified by one or more driving metrics. The example method includes outputting the score.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket includes a first bracket portion with a first leg and a first bar element, a second bracket portion with a second leg and a second bar element, and a hub assembly supported on at least one of the first and second bracket portions. The hub assembly can be configured to couple a flexible hose to the adjustable bracket. The first bar element can be telescopically received by the second bar element so that a distance between the first and second legs is selectively adjustable. A fastener can fix the first and second bar elements in a desired relationship. The hub assembly can include first and second support members that are pivotably connected to rotate between open and closed positions. The second support member may have a slot that allows the second support member to rotate and move laterally with respect to the first support member.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket includes a first bracket portion with a first leg and a first bar element, a second bracket portion with a second leg and a second bar element, and a hub assembly supported on at least one of the first and second bracket portions. The hub assembly can be configured to couple a flexible hose to the adjustable bracket. The first bar element can be telescopically received by the second bar element so that a distance between the first and second legs is selectively adjustable. A fastener can fix the first and second bar elements in a desired relationship. The hub assembly can include first and second support members that are pivotably connected to rotate between open and closed positions. The second support member may have a slot that allows the second support member to rotate and move laterally with respect to the first support member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to monitor and evaluate vehicle operator behavior. An example method includes processing, using a particularly programmed processor, image data obtained with respect to a vehicle to identify an object in the image data. The example method includes measuring, using the mobile device, a geographic location of the vehicle. The example method includes determining, using the mobile device, an operating state of the vehicle. The example method includes analyzing the object in the image data, the geographic location, and the operating state of the vehicle to determine a behavior of the vehicle. The example method includes generating a score for a driver associated with the vehicle by comparing the behavior of the vehicle with a reference behavior, the reference behavior quantified by one or more driving metrics. The example method includes outputting the score.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for regenerating metal catalysts used in the purification of inert gases for use in fiber draw furnaces and other applications. The methods described herein can regenerate metal catalysts alone or in combination with molecular sieves. The methods disclosed herein are able to prevent the formation and retention of unwanted byproducts during and after the regeneration process, thereby efficiently converting oxidized catalysts to their reduced or elemental form. Gases purified with catalysts regenerated by the methods disclosed herein, when used in fiber draw furnaces and similar applications, can lead to extended equipment lifetimes and higher-quality products due to the lack of degradation by contaminants in the gas stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for regenerating metal catalysts used in the purification of inert gases for use in fiber draw furnaces and other applications. The methods described herein can regenerate metal catalysts alone or in combination with molecular sieves. The methods disclosed herein are able to prevent the formation and retention of unwanted byproducts during and after the regeneration process, thereby efficiently converting oxidized catalysts to their reduced or elemental form. Gases purified with catalysts regenerated by the methods disclosed herein, when used in fiber draw furnaces and similar applications, can lead to extended equipment lifetimes and higher-quality products due to the lack of degradation by contaminants in the gas stream.

Abstract: An electronic game for playing on a portable handheld game unit and on-line includes a dynamic animated virtual character that can be customized and updated both visually and functionally through game play and that can translate from a two dimensional visual presentation on a game unit to a higher order visual presentation in an interactive multi-player virtual world on-line and back while retaining any customization or upgrades is provided. Different versions of the electronic game produce different virtual characters that can interact on-line or through wireless linkage between game units.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical fiber is provided that includes the steps of flowing a first gas into an optical fiber draw furnace. The first gas is passed through a heated section configured to contain and heat a glass source from which the optical fiber is drawn, passing the first gas through a muffle which defines a capture chamber. A portion of the first gas is removed through at least one reclaim port operatively coupled to the capture chamber. A second gas flows into a gas screen at a rate configured to substantially recover a pressure drop associated with removing the portion of the first gas.

Abstract: An electronic game for playing on a portable handheld game unit and on-line includes a dynamic animated virtual character that can be customized and updated both visually and functionally through game play and that can translate from a two dimensional visual presentation on a game unit to a higher order visual presentation in an interactive multi-player virtual world on-line and back while retaining any customization or upgrades is provided. Different versions of the electronic game produce different virtual characters that can interact on-line or through wireless linkage between game units.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket includes a first bracket portion with a first leg and a first bar element, a second bracket portion with a second leg and a second bar element, and a hub assembly supported on at least one of the first and second bracket portions. The hub assembly can be configured to couple a flexible hose to the adjustable bracket. The first bar element can be telescopically received by the second bar element so that a distance between the first and second legs is selectively adjustable. A fastener can fix the first and second bar elements in a desired relationship. The hub assembly can include first and second support members that are pivotably connected to rotate between open and closed positions. The second support member may have a slot that allows the second support member to rotate and move laterally with respect to the first support member.

Abstract: An electronic game for playing on a portable handheld game unit and on-line includes a dynamic animated virtual character that can be customized and updated both visually and functionally through game play and that can translate from a two dimensional visual presentation on a game unit to a higher order visual presentation in an interactive multi-player virtual world on-line and back while retaining any customization or upgrades is provided. Different versions of the electronic game produce different virtual characters that can interact on-line or through wireless linkage between game units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for dispensing a viscous food product such as peanut butter. The container has a spiral groove in which a bottom fits into and can spiral upwards to dispense the product from the top of the container.