Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core and cover are provided. The ball contains an inner core made of a foam composition and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, foamed polyurethane is used to form the inner core and polybutadiene rubber is used to make the outer core. The specific gravity (density) of the inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. The ball preferably has a high Moment of Inertia (MOI). The ball includes a single or multi-layered cover surrounding the core structure.

Abstract: Golf balls containing a core having at least two layers made from a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. At least one layer is made from a relatively low modulus polyalkenamer rubber composition and at least one layer is made from a relatively high modulus polyalkenamer rubber composition. The rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core.

Abstract: A sport ball may incorporate a casing that includes a plurality of joined panels. At least one of the panels may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The casing defines at least one indentation in the exterior surface, and the first layer is bonded to the third layer adjacent to the indentation. In some configurations, the casing may also define at least one indentations in a surface of the third layer, which may correspond in location with the indentation in the exterior surface. Additionally, the sport ball may include an intermediate structure and a bladder located within the casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a single cover layer of heterogeneous composition. One embodiment of the invention describes a method wherein a core, comprising one or more layers, has pre-molded hemispherical cover cups placed about the core and each cover cup has at least two layers of distinct resinous materials, and the cover cups are heated and compressed such that the resinous materials in the cover cups intermingle with each other to form a single heterogeneous cover layer.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a golf club having a cover comprising an internal surface adapted to conform to a golf club hosel and a portion of a golf club shaft. One or more sensors are disposed within the internal surface of the cover and adapted to actuate between a passive state and an alarm alert state. An alarm is coupled to the one or more sensors, the alarm emitting a signal when the one or more sensors are actuated from the passive state to the alarm alert state. The one or more sensors are retracted in the passive state when the golf club hosel is housed within the cover. The one or more sensors are advanced in the alarm alert state when the golf club hosel is removed from the cover.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods associated with a golf tee configured to reduce or eliminate spin imparted on a golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball. In one embodiment, the golf tee includes a retracting mechanism to retract the support member of the golf tee prior to impact between the golf club face and the golf ball, at least one swing sensor to measure motion parameters of an approaching golf club, and a processing unit to control the retracting mechanism based on the measured motion parameters. In another embodiment, the golf tee includes a contactless support mechanism to support the golf ball, a position sensor to detect a position of the golf ball, and a processing unit to control the support mechanism, based on data from the position sensor, to manipulate the position of the golf ball.

Abstract: The present Invention provides a surfing device comprising at least one energy projecting means and at least one energy projecting structure for supporting and positioning the energy projecting means. The energy projecting structure positions the energy projecting means at one or more energy projecting positions. Energy is projected from the energy projecting means from positions to enable a person to surf at least partially solely via the projected energy. The present invention also provides a surface for a surfing device, either the device of the present Invention or another surfing device. The surface, is designed for a person to surf on either via the projected energy of the surfing device of the present Invention or by at least partially direct contact with the surface via fluid projected out of, over or upon it. The surface has an Impact absorption material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a training apparatus for developing fundamental skill for the game of football which comprises a base pad having at least one of a hand grip and a shoulder pad, and an outer pad mounted and securely stitched to a front of the base pad. The outer pad includes a torso region and a shoulder region shaped to mimic shoulder pads of a football player. In some embodiments, the outer pad is covered with a grippable mesh material adapted to mimic a texture and form of a football jersey. The outer pad may be smaller than and fit within a perimeter of the front of the base pad, and during training, the outer pad is adapted to draw attention to the center of the training apparatus to draw hands of a training player inside the perimeter of the base pad.

Abstract: A golf training aid is provided that teaches a golfer the proper motion of the lead knee during a backswing by providing the golfer with a positive feedback alert. A motion sensor detects a predetermined optimal position of the lead knee and a positive feedback alert is produced when the predetermined optimal position is achieve. The positive feedback alert may be an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert to notify a user that the predetermined optimal position is achieved.

Abstract: A golfing platform includes a standing region, for a user to stand to make their golf swing, and a striking zone, where a golf ball may be placed for striking by a golf club. The striking zone may be configured to replicate the feel of real turf, but where the artificial turf covering is not taken up as divots during a golf club swing. The striking zone can include a striking zone insert which may be formed from a hollow region surrounded by a flexible tubular material and encased with a covering material. The striking zone insert may have a height substantially the same as the height of the standing platform. A matting insert material may surround the striking zone to make the entire golf platform (the standing platform, the matting insert material and the striking zone insert) of uniform height, thereby mimicking a typical golf swing from the ground.

Abstract: A basketball shot-tracking system comprising a wrist tracker, a net tracker, and a shot-tracking mobile application. The wrist tracker is worn on the wrist or arm of a basketball player and the net tracker is attached to the net of the basketball hoop. The wrist tracker and net tracker automatically detect shot-attempt and made-shot events, respectively, and asynchronously transmit messages to the shot-tracking mobile application reporting these events. The shot-tracking mobile application, which runs on a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer, includes program instructions that, when executed by the CPU of the wireless mobile device, causes the wireless mobile device to automatically receive and process the asynchronous event data sent by the wrist tracker and net tracker, and to automatically tabulate, store and/or display the basketball player's shooting statistics (such as total shots taken, total shots made, shooting percentage, shot locations, and the like).

Abstract: An article is provided that includes a core including a plurality of triangular core members. Two or more edges of each triangular core member are each attached to respective edges of other triangular core members in the plurality of triangular core members by respective hinges in a plurality of hinges. Each hinge in the plurality of hinges joins respective edges of a respective pair of substantially adjacent triangular core members in the plurality of triangular core members, is of a length to provide an offset between the pair of triangular core members, has a thickness less than thicknesses of the pair of triangular core members, and is integrally connected to the pair of triangular core members.

Abstract: A fixation seat for ski shoe includes a seat, a connecting structure, a left support element, a right support element, and an ankle protecting board. The connecting structure is disposed on the seat for connecting with a ski board. The left and the right support elements extend upward and obliquely from two sides of the seat toward the rear side of the seat. At the rear side of the seat, the left support element is distant from the right support element a predetermined distance. The ankle protecting board is connected to tops of the left and the right support elements.

Abstract: A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the positioning of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game. The shoe includes a mechanism for increasing the force needed to pull a card from the shoe in certain circumstances. The engagement of this mechanism may be tied to the rules of the game, or may relate to circumstances apart from the rules of the game, such as the detection of a cut card or a virtual cut card.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for presenting Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) in an online game. In one method, a player becomes a “regular” visitor of a friend when the player visits the friend a predetermined amount of times within a certain period (e.g., three times within the last seven days). When a player becomes a regular visitor, the player may obtain items (e.g., pepper) that are not obtainable in any other way. As long as a player is a regular visitor, the player may continue visiting the friend to continue obtaining the special items. However, if the player falls below the threshold of visits required within the period, the status of regular visitor is lost by the player, and the player may regain the regular status by meeting the requirement again.

Abstract: An interactive gaming system is disclosed. The system comprises at least one sensor that conveys information to the system about the physical, intellectual, mental, emotional, psychological or other type of ability of a user. The system uses the information to assess the existence and extent of a disability, and then implements a change to an aspect of the gaming environment, thus optimizing the gaming experience for the game player by accounting for the game player's disabilities.

Abstract: A virtual universe application and a media (e.g. 3-D movie) presentation application communicate with each other to obtain a location of a current activity application and find, using a search engine or a content addressable index developed during use, a corresponding location accessible from the other application to synchronize the location and time of location and time of scenes in both applications. Point of view can optionally be synchronized and additional search criteria or parameters can be applied to find the best match of views presented to a user when the user toggles between the VU location and the media presentation.

Abstract: Example systems and methods relate to a video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a game world. Movements and actions of each game character are controlled in accordance with a first game character control operation during the playing of the video game. If a condition is voluntarily satisfied by one of the players, the one player's game character is protected from harm in the game world. Movements and actions of the protected game character are controlled in accordance with a second game character control operation. The protecting of the one player's game character is stopped in response to one or more protecting stopping conditions, whereby the game character is again controllable in accordance with the first game character control operation.

Abstract: Example systems and methods relate to a multi-player video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a game world. Movements of each game character in the game world are controlled in accordance with respective first game character control operations during the playing of the multi-player video game. In response to satisfaction of any one of a plurality of conditions, protecting one player's game character from harm in the game world, wherein at least one of the plurality of conditions is a condition triggered voluntarily by the one player. Movements of the protected game character in the game world are controlled in accordance with a second game character control operation which is different than the first game character control operation for that game character.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a game apparatus and a game program, which are capable of more strategically conducting a battle with an enemy character, deepening interest, winning a battle with a formidable enemy even without any level up, and enjoying a game that is rich in strategic feature. When an enemy character starts to attack a player character (step S11), time counting to set a chink occurrence flag starts. When an attack operation of the player character on the enemy character is received (step S12) and the attack hits the enemy character (step S13), it is determined whether or not a chink occurrence flag remains set on the enemy character (step S14). When the chink occurrence flag remains set (YES in step S14), a special effect is generated (step S15).

Abstract: In a video game that progresses a game using a limited number of items, the game can be made more interesting. In an area data table 126-1 of a first area, a brand ‘CAT’ having a previous brand point ‘14%’ is ‘BEST 1’, and a brand ‘BOAR’ having a previous brand point ‘13%’ is ‘BEST 2’. In addition, a brand ‘TIGER’ having a previous brand point ‘3%’ is ‘WORST 2’, and a brand ‘RAT’ having a previous brand point ‘2%’ is ‘WORST 1’. Accordingly, if a player character executes a battle against an enemy character in the first area, when an item of the brand ‘CAT’, which is ‘BEST 1’, is used, its power becomes three times higher than a reference power, and when an item of the brand ‘BOAR’, which is ‘BEST 2’, is used, its power becomes one and half times higher than the reference power. In addition, when an item of the brand ‘TIGER’, which is ‘WORST 2’, is used, its power becomes 0.5 times lower than the reference power, and an item of the brand ‘RAT’, which is ‘WORST 1’, becomes unavailable.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing custom features in a game is provided. A themed game board associated with a first set of rules of a computer-implemented game is generated. The first set of rules relates to a theme of the themed game board and is different than a second set of rules associated with a game board without a theme. Game board display data is provided to a first client device of a first player to display the themed game board. A move on the themed game board is received from the first client device, and a score associated with the move is generated. The score is based on the first set of rules relating to the theme, where the score is different than a score associated with the move on the game board without a theme.

Abstract: A device for bursting an amusement balloon, and that includes a housing having sides that define an open bottom leading into an internal chamber; tape or the like for securing the housing to an outer surface of the balloon in an orientation so that the open bottom of the housing is directed at the outer surface of the balloon; and an electro-mechanical member supported in the internal chamber of the housing. The electro-mechanical member includes a movable plunger having respective rest and extended positions. A puncture pin is carried by the plunger. The electro-mechanical member is activated so as to move the plunger from the rest position to the extended position thereof so as to move the puncture pin against the outer surface of the balloon to puncture the balloon. The activation can be either hard wired or wireless.

Abstract: A hand-held interactive entertainment device which winds and unwinds a lighter-than-air balloon on a tether by applying pressure to the device.

Abstract: A suspended play structure includes a floor, a sidewall, and a roof that defines an inner space. The structure includes top and bottom ring structures that provide additional support to the play structure. The play structure can be suspended from a tree, a stand, a ceiling, or similar structure. The structure is collapsible for easy storage and can also include a removable cushion that can fit within an internal pocket. The structure can also include a removable string of LED lights within the inner space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a labyrinth of mirrors with elemental cells in the form of an equilateral triangle, each cell having at least one passage portal covered with opaque vinyl and at least one arch with a mirror forming a reflective obstacle. Each cell has a short-throw projector for projecting moving images with different designs or themes. The images are projected over the variable surface or contour of the passage portal which is covered with light opaque vinyl, the other two arches being covered with reflective vinyl or a mirror, as are the inner surfaces of the holding pillars or posts. The projection is defined by means of masks wherein the pixels outside the contour are covered in black or are rendered transparent, a technology called “projection mapping”. In each cell, there is at least one opaque arch and two reflectors.

Abstract: A system for vaporizing and sublimating a slurry comprising a fluid including solid particles therein. The system includes a first heat exchanger configured to receive the fluid including solid particles and vaporize the fluid and a second heat exchanger configured to receive the vaporized fluid and solid particles and sublimate the solid particles. A method for vaporizing and sublimating a fluid including solid particles therein is also disclosed. The method includes feeding the fluid including solid particles to a first heat exchanger, vaporizing the fluid, feeding the vaporized fluid and solid particles to a second heat exchanger and sublimating the solid particles. In some embodiments the fluid including solid particles is liquid natural gas or methane including solid carbon dioxide particles.

Abstract: A process for separation of solid and liquid components in a distillation whole stillage utilizing airless spray drying is disclosed, which is more efficient and economical than conventional processes. In the process, distillation whole stillage resulting from distillation of fermented biomass is first subjected to an evaporation step for separating the whole stillage into a condensate and a concentrate including water, dissolved solids and suspended solids. The concentrate is then subjected to airless steam spray drying for converting the concentrate into dried solids, steam and vapors. All steam and vapors resulting from the airless steam spray drying step are then redirected as energy source to a processing step upstream of the airless spray drying step. At least some of the steam generated in the airless spray drying step is airless steam.

Abstract: We provide an alkylation process, comprising: separating and recycling a hydrogen gas and a hydrogen chloride from an offgas of a hydrogenation reactor; wherein the hydrogen gas is recycled to the hydrogenation reactor; and wherein the hydrogen chloride is recycled to an alkylation reactor. We also provide an alkylation process unit for performing this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device with the aid of which hydrogen halide and water are removed from biomass hydrolyzates containing halogen acid. The core of the invention is an evacuated container (B1), which is continuously supplied with a heat-transfer medium and which is completely filled with the heat-transfer medium in a part. In said evaporation chamber, the biomass hydrolyzate is likewise continuously introduced. In the container (B1), heat is transferred from the heat-transfer medium to the hydrolyzate, wherein hydrogen halide and water are continuously evaporated. The remaining hydrolyzate particles are continuously discharged with the cooled heat-transfer medium and continuously removed by means of the heat-transfer medium and continuously separated from said heat-transfer medium. The invention described can also be used to treat other mixtures or solutions for the purpose of evaporation.

Abstract: To provide a crystallization device with a simple structure and high classification performance in crystallization at a center part of an upper part in a vertical container having a classification leg on a bottom portion, rotor blade unit for generating a swirling flow of a raw material liquid of a suspension slurry in the container along an inner circumferential surface of the container is provided, and at a center part on a bottom surface of the container, liquid-flow direction changing unit for causing the raw material liquid to flow upward at the center part of the container is provided, and the liquid-flow direction changing unit is formed of baffles, each being made of a band-shaped plate, provided radially on the bottom surface.

Abstract: Method for removing hydrogen sulfide from fluids such as oil and gas well drilling, treatment, and production fluids and effluents from hydrocarbon operations and mineral mining operations. The sulfide scavenger used in the method is a gluconate salt other than ferrous gluconate. The gluconate salt is added to the fluid along with an iron source if iron is not already in the fluid. The gluconate reacts with the iron and forms iron gluconate in the fluid, which in turn reacts with the hydrogen sulfate to form iron sulfide which may be readily removed from the fluid.

Abstract: A method of assembling a sand screen assembly includes the steps of providing inner and outer shrouds having radial protrusions, such as ribs, louvers, splines, etc., that are radially unaligned during a first assembly step thereby providing clearance for positioning of a filter layer between the shrouds. The outer or inner shroud is then rotated until the protrusions are aligned and the clearance between the shrouds and filter layer is eliminated to provide a tight fit between the layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a filter structure. A second porous film having a plurality of second holes is disposed on a first porous film having a plurality of first holes. The second holes are smaller than the first holes. The filter structure is dried by an easy and power-saving method such as compression.

Abstract: A liquid filter with a replaceable filter insert and a housing having a raw liquid inlet, a central clean liquid outlet, and an eccentric liquid discharge channel. A standpipe extends above the liquid outlet and receives the insert. The insert has an eccentric closing pin. A first positioning arrangement is arranged on the clean liquid outlet and a lower end region of the standpipe so that, when the standpipe is plugged into the clean liquid outlet, the standpipe is guided into a particular position relative to the filter housing. A second positioning arrangement is arranged on the standpipe and the insert so that, when the insert is plugged onto the standpipe, it is guided into a particular position relative to the standpipe. The positioning arrangements are matched to one another so that the closing pin on the insert enters into engagement with the discharge channel in the filter housing.

Abstract: An air filter system, in particular for the intake air of internal combustion engines, is provided.

Abstract: A filter including a filter housing with a horizontal partition wall dividing the filter housing into a dean-gas chamber and a dust chamber. The filter has an inlet part in open communication with the dust chamber. The inlet part is configured for supplying a dust-containing flow of gas to the dust chamber. The gas flow is conveyed through the filter elements and upwards into the dean-gas chamber where the filtered gas is discharged through a clean-gas outlet. In the filter housing, a cylindrical inner portion is arranged that encircles the filter elements. A round-going inlet part is opposed to the cylindrical inner part. The round-going inlet part has a larger diameter than at least a portion of the filter housing that adjoins the inlet part. Gas flow is divided into an upwardly and downwardly oriented gas flow controlled by arrangement of the cylindrical inner part.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an air purifier with over pressurization relief, including the following components. A room air inlet is configured to fluidly receive air from a room. A supply duct inlet is configured to fluidly receive air from a forced air system. An air filter and or air purification means is configured to filter/purify air. An outlet is configured to expel filtered/treated air into the room. A bypass damper system has at least one air filtering mode position and a bypass mode position. A pressure control mechanism is configured to automatically allow the bypass damper system to move from at least one air filtering mode position to a bypass mode position when the air received from the supply duct inlet exceeds a bypass threshold. The bypass mode position guides air from the supply duct inlet into the room without requiring passage through the filter and the outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hotmelt adhesive comprising a hotmelt adhesive mixture, the mixture including a) 15-85% by weight of a first, polyester-based hotmelt adhesive and b) 15-85% by weight of a second, polyamide-based hotmelt adhesive.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production, hydrocarbon chemical production, and aerosol capture are provided. For example, a carbon-oxygen-hydrogen (C—O—H) compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 800 degrees Celsius such that the C—O—H compound reacts through a non-oxidation reaction to generate at least a hydrocarbon compound that may be at least a component of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or a hydrocarbon chemical. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be a liquid when at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. The C—O—H compound may include biomass. In some cases, the hydrocarbon compound produced through the non-oxidation reaction includes a hydrocarbon aerosol form as the hydrocarbon compound at least as it is produced or cools. Some embodiments include aerosol capture methods, systems, and devices, which may include passing a hydrocarbon aerosol form through a material in a liquid phase in order to gather the aerosol material.

Abstract: In a reclaiming apparatus (106) that includes an airtight container (106a) as an absorbent storing unit that stores a part of an absorbent that absorbs CO2 included in an exhaust gas and a heating unit that heats the absorbent stored in the airtight container (106a), a part of the absorbent stored in the airtight container (106a) is distributed, and a gaseous body is brought into counterflow contact with the absorbent that is distributed. As a result, since the gaseous body is brought into counterflow contact with a part of the absorbent stored in the absorbent storing unit, an absorbent component volatilizes and is separated from a degraded material, and the absorbent component can be extracted from the degraded material, whereby a loss of the absorbent can be reduced.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the invention preferably relates to a hollow fiber membrane mat having hollow fiber membranes arranged parallel to one another and adjacent to one another, the membranes having a wall and a continuous lumen, wherein the hollow fiber membranes are connected to one another by means of a plurality of linear connecting elements which are arranged spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another and the membranes are kept apart from one another by the linear connecting elements and wherein the hollow fiber membranes are composed of a thermoplastic polymer and wherein the walls of the hollow fiber membranes arranged adjacent to one another are fluid-tight in at least one stripe extending parallel to the linear connecting elements, inside of which stripe the hollow fiber membranes are fluid-tight, preferably have a superheated steam shrinkage of at most 5%. Other embodiments of the invention preferably relate to a method for producing and/or using such hollow fiber membrane mats.

Abstract: A filter module includes a first filter stage and a second filter stage which are substantially concentrically arranged. The first filter stage and the second filter stage each include a plurality of hollow fiber membranes having a first fiber end and a second fiber end, which are embedded in a respective casting compound. The first filter stage is a filter stage for the filtration of a first medical fluid, and the second filter stage is a filter stage for the filtration of a second medical fluid. The first filter stage has unilaterally closed fiber ends, and is surrounded by a boundary element which separates the first filter stage and the second filter stage from one another. The boundary element has at least one opening which provides fluid communication between the first filter stage and the second filter stage.

Abstract: Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are crosslinked porous membranes comprising a cellulosic material and an aromatic hydrophobic moiety or a copolymer of the formula A-B-A (I) or A-B (II), wherein block A, for example, polyglycerol, a polymer of allylglycidyl ether, or a copolymer of glycidol and allyl glycidyl ether, or a polymer of allyl glycidyl ether or a copolymer of glycidol and allyl glycidyl ether wherein one or more allyl groups having been replaced by hydrophilic groups. Block B is an aromatic hydrophobic moiety. An example of the aromatic hydrophobic moiety is polyethersulfone. Also disclosed is a method for preparing such membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air-permeable filter with an adhesive layer. This air-permeable filter is imparted with oil repellency and includes: a porous membrane having a surface coated with an oil-repellent agent; and an adhesive layer disposed on the surface. The oil-repellent agent contains a linear fluorine-containing hydrocarbon group represented by (1) —R1C5F10CH2C4F9 or (2) —R2C6F13, where R1 and R2 are each independently an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a phenylene group. This air-permeable filter is imparted with oil repellency without significantly reducing its adhesive strength to the adhesive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formulated refrigerant systems of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (R-1233zd) that are sufficiently thermally and chemically stable such that they can be effectively used sans additional stabilizers. The formulations of the present invention are particularly useful compositions for refrigeration, heat transfer and foam blowing.

Abstract: A technology for producing synthesis gas from crude gas from various gasification processes for solid or liquid fuels. To limit the temperatures in a subsequent strongly exothermic CO shift reaction to adjust the H2/CO ratio, the crude gas which has been freed of dust flows through two shift reactors arranged in series. The first reactor has a specific reaction-kinetically limited catalyst and the second reactor has a conventional sour gas catalyst. The specific catalyst used in the first reactor limits the exothermic shift reaction to such an extent that the reaction temperatures in the first and second reactors remain so low to avoid thermal damage to the catalysts even without introduction of external steam, and the desired gas composition is achieved.

Abstract: Transition support rings for joining tubular segments of different inner cross-sectional dimensions to make segmented liners for use in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) for making polysilicon-coated granulate material are disclosed. Segmented liners comprising the transition support rings and fluidized bed reactors including segmented liners are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synthesizing an F-18 labeled radioactive pharmaceutical by labeling a precursor with an F-18 radioactive isotope, by reacting the labeled precursor to obtain a labeled pharmaceutical, by separating impurities from the labeled pharmaceutical to provide a purified labeled pharmaceutical, and by collecting the purified labeled pharmaceutical. The apparatus includes a labeling cartridge that contains the precursor, receives the isotope, and causes a labeling reaction to provide the labeled precursor; a synthesizing container that receives the labeled precursor, receives at least one reagent effective to hydrolyze the labeled precursor, and within which the labeled precursor undergoes a hydrolysis reaction to provide the labeled pharmaceutical; and a separation cartridge that receives the labeled pharmaceutical, and contains a polymer compound that separates impurities into polar compounds and nonpolar compounds to provide the purified labeled pharmaceutical.