Abstract: Systems and method for providing a single sign in a gaming console that associates online activity that is out-of-game/cross game, and/or online activity that is in-game, and/or activity that is offline and in-game with that account. While online, a service tracks activity of gamers and provides usage statistics in a profile. While offline, the game console tracks the player's activity via a mechanism to collect detailed information about a specific player's in-game statistics and accomplishments. The offline activity is cached and uploaded when the console connects to the online service. Players can accumulate achievements offline that are credited towards online activities.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for a safe drive inducing game that includes a controller configured to execute the safe drive inducing game when a driver attention dispersion state is detected when a vehicle is driven. In addition, the controller recognizes a target driving path from vehicle driving information when executing the safe drive inducing game and generates a path guidance display according to the recognized target driving path to display on a game screen. The controller determines whether the vehicle follows the path guidance display by comparing a driving state of the vehicle with a position of the path guidance display displayed on the game screen and calculates a score of the safe drive inducing game according to whether the vehicle follows the path guidance display.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes an input-output processor, and by following an instruction from the input-output processor, messages are transmitted and received with other game apparatus 12 connected via a network. The messages are transmitted and received in an electronic mail format, and has identification information of an application being a creation source of the message as well as general information, such as a transmission source, a destination and a subject as header information.

Abstract: This disclosure presents systems and methods to facilitate user interactions with virtual objects depicted as being present in a real-world space. A representation of a first location in a real-world space may include one or more virtual objects depicted in the representation of the first location as being present in the first location. An orientation of a computing platform physically present at a second location may be obtained. An image may be generated based on one or more of the representation of the first location, the orientation, and/or other information. The image may depict the representation of the first location within a field of view of the real-world space and one or more virtual objects depicted as being present in the first location within the field of view. The user may interact with virtual object depicted as being present in the first location within the field of view.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a rotatable play device that comprises a central support post, a hub rotatably mounted to an upper end of the central support post, and a plurality of arms attached to the hub, wherein a seat is suspended from the distal end of each of the plurality of arms. Rotation of the hub about the central support post causes the plurality of seats to rotate around the central support post in a substantially circular rotation path. In addition, each of the seats may be configured to swing in substantial alignment with the circular rotation path. Each of the seats may also be configured to have at least a partially restricted range of motion toward the central support post, away from the central support post, or both.

Abstract: Track configurations for a roller coaster mounted on a tower area are disclosed. The track configurations allow the track to transition from traveling in a first direction around the circumference of the tower to a second direction around the circumference of the tower that is substantially opposite the first direction while maintaining the safety and comfort of the riders. Also disclosed is a wire rope drive to power the rider carriages up a helical track mounted on the tower, preferably on the inside the tower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a swing that is operable to promote attunement between a child and caretaker. The swing comprises two seats, one of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a caretaker, such as a parent, and another of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a child. The two seats are arranged so that the caretaker and the child can face one another and comfortably see each other's eyes. The two seats are also configured such that, during operation of the swing, both the caretaker and child share the experience of swinging. Thus, using the swing of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a caretaker and child may share the mutual enjoyment of the swinging action while maintaining eye contact with one another, resulting in attunement.

Abstract: An amusement ride includes a robot assembly having at least one multi-link robot arm with a base and a passenger holder for transporting at least one person. A controller for controlling the robot assembly includes a storage device for storing a limit of a working space arrangement having at least one work space, a distance device for determining a distance of the passenger holder from the working space arrangement, and a safety device for determining maximum permissible motion components in at least two spatial directions depending on the determined distance.

Abstract: The swinging apparatus includes a base, a support located above the base, a coupler disposed between the base and the support and including a universal joint, and linear actuators disposed between the base and the support. Each of the linear actuators includes a first end and a second end located on an opposing side to the first end. The first end is mechanically connected to one of the base and the support. The second end is configured to freely move touching a surface of the other of the base and the support.

Abstract: A cognitive system is provided which includes an interactive device, such as a toy, for communicating with a user. The cognitive system includes different levels of communication capability for communicating with the user via the interactive device. The system adjusts from one level of communication capability to another level of communication capability of the different levels of communication capability based on occurrence of one or more specified conditions of user communication with the interactive device. For instance, the different levels of communication capability may include multiple levels of language capabilities, and the one or more specified conditions may include one or more language-based interaction conditions, time-based interaction conditions, or physical-based interaction conditions of the user with the interactive device.

Abstract: As an embodiment of the present disclosure, a connection member of an assembly toy includes: a body formed as a solid figure similar to a rectangular parallelepiped, the body including a circular opening in a center of an upper surface and openings of oval shapes in a left side surface and a right side surface; a leg protruding out of the body through the openings of the oval shapes in the left and right side surfaces of the body; and foot models respectively connected to left and right end portions of the leg.

Abstract: An apparatus to quickly position a start assist device for backstroke swimmers and remove said start assist device once the apparatus detects or is signaled that the swimmer has left to prevent injuries and obstructions caused by the start assist device. A mechanical embodiment of such an apparatus and a motorized embodiment of such an apparatus with a data input system to position the start assist device according to the individual swimmers needs and means to signal the start event are disclosed.

Abstract: In order to eliminate liquid accumulation occurring between a gas-liquid mixing part and a vaporization part to stably perform liquid feeding to the vaporization part and vaporization in the vaporization part, a liquid material vaporization apparatus includes: a gas-liquid mixing part adapted to mix a liquid material and gas to produce a gas-liquid mixture; and a vaporization part adapted to heat the gas-liquid mixture to vaporize the liquid material. In addition, the gas-liquid mixing part has a gas-liquid mixture lead-out pipe for leading out the gas-liquid mixture, the vaporization part has a heating flow path HS for heating the gas-liquid mixture, and a lead-out port of the gas-liquid mixture lead-out pipe is arranged in the heating flow path HS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the vacuum purification of chemical compounds and to an apparatus for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A method of obtaining conjugated estrogens from pregnant mare's urine by supercritical fluid extraction and the product thus obtained is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of comprising: introducing a sample volume into an inlet end of a liquid chromatography column, wherein the liquid chromatography column includes a focusing segment proximal to the inlet end of the liquid chromatography column and a separation segment proximal to an elute outlet of the liquid chromatography column; maintaining only the focusing segment at a first temperature as the sample is introduced into the focusing segment; and subsequently heating the focusing segment to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature after the entire sample volume has been introduced into the focusing segment.

Abstract: A chromatography column having a longitudinal axis and comprising a column wall with a first end and a second end, a first end plate assembly removably connectable to said first end of the column wall, a second end plate assembly removably connectable to said second end of the column wall, wherein said first end plate assembly, said column wall and said second end plate assembly are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the column wherein the column wall, and/or first end plate assembly and/or second end plate assembly is/are rotatable about an axis of rotation wherein said axis of rotation is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said column and positioned outside the column.

Abstract: A lattice and distribution network for a stackable chromatography cassette comprising: a peripheral seal; at least one screen forming the lattice surrounded by the peripheral seal, each at least one screen comprising a plurality of struts in a latticed arrangement; a first internal distribution network fluidly coupled to the lattice and surrounded by the peripheral seal; a second internal distribution network disposed opposite the first internal distribution network, fluidly coupled to the lattice and surrounded by the peripheral seal; wherein a direction of fluid flow is established from the first internal distribution network through the lattice to the second internal distribution network; and wherein preferential streamlines are minimized.

Abstract: A moving section that moves in the horizontal plane direction at above a collection container section where collection containers are set is provided with a nozzle holding section for holding a nozzle, and a waste port holding section for holding a waste port. The moving section is capable of moving the nozzle holding section or the waste port holding section. Accordingly, one of a state where the waste port is at a position immediately below the tip of the nozzle and a state where the waste port is not at the position immediately below the tip of the nozzle may be achieved.

Abstract: A fluidic device and a method for degassing a fluidic device are presented. The fluidic device includes a plurality of fluidic components such as channels, chambers, and integrated valves and pumps, etc. A porous membrane is disposed on a degassing area of the fluidic device for removing gas (such as, for example, bubbles) contained in a liquid. A fluid control device monitors a pressure profile indicating a pressure in the fluidic device over time and applies a pressure differential between two sides of the membrane when activated. The membrane is permeable to gas in the fluidic device and is impermeable to liquids through the pores under the pressure differential. The disclosed method enables degassing large volume of gas at a high flow rate and provides a bubble free filling in a fluidic device which is critical to precision sample metering, mixing, fluid control, reaction, and detection, etc.

Abstract: A recess plate designed for use in a filter device for filtering a suspension includes a stationary head piece and a movable end piece, and a pack including copies of the recess plate, having a filter chamber inside the pack, adjoining the recess plate, having a first pipe for filling the suspension into the filter chamber, having a filter cloth for collecting a solid content out of the suspension, and having a second pipe for discharging a liquid fraction of the suspension out of the filter chamber as a filtrate, wherein the filter device may be closed before filtering by forcing the end piece in direction of the head piece, and opened after filtering by releasing the end piece, and moving the end piece away from the head piece for removing the filter cake from the filter cloth.

Abstract: In one example, a core cover includes an inner wall that defines a fluid passageway configured to communicate with an interior of a filter core when the core cover is engaged with the filter core. As well, the core cover includes an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall, and a complementary structure located on the outer wall and configured to engage a corresponding complementary structure of a filter core. Finally, the core cover includes one or more indicia that indicate a flow rate, or range of flow rates, associated with the core cover.

Abstract: A pressure filter for treating liquor suspensions of a cellulose pulp mill, the pressure filter including a container having tubular filtering elements suspended in a horizontal plate, through which elements filtrate flows and the interior of which communicates with a filtrate chamber located above. The filtering elements collect on their outer surface precipitate that is arranged to be periodically removed by making the filtrate in the filtrate chamber travel counter-currently through the filtration surface of the filtering elements. The filtering elements are cleaned by wash liquid passing from the filtrate chamber into the filtering elements and through their filtration surface. The interior of the filtering elements is provided with a flow distributor above the middle of a filtering element for distributing the flow from the filtrate chamber onto the filtration surface of the filtering element.

Abstract: A device for filtering a stream of water in a channel (2), includes: a wall (6) adapted to be mounted in the channel and including a through-opening, a filter member (10) mounted on the wall opposite the through-opening and including a filter surface projecting relative to the wall, the filter surface having a larger area than would have a flat filter surface fitted in the through-opening, the filter member including retaining members face to face with the filter surface for retaining the bodies that do not pass through the surface, a suction device disposed facing the retaining members, and elements for driving the filter member and/or the suction device in a relative movement of one in relation to the other such that the suction device is successively brought face to face with each retaining member.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a manifold and a filter cartridge removably mounted to the manifold. The filter cartridge includes a first cartridge component and a second cartridge component joined to the first cartridge component at a failure interface such that the second cartridge component moves relative to the first cartridge component when the filter cartridge fails.

Abstract: A strainer device includes a strainer element; a first lid member that covers an upper opening of the strainer element; a second lid member that covers a lower opening of the strainer element and has a fitting hole in a portion surrounded by the strainer element; a delivery pipe protruding upward inside a hydraulic oil tank in a state in which the delivery pipe is fitted into the fitting hole of the second lid member; and a check valve arranged at the first lid member. The check valve includes a valve main body having a valve passage whose one end opens to the internal space of the strainer element and whose other end opens to inside of the hydraulic oil tank; and a valve body which is arranged to be able to move in a vertical direction with respect to a valve seat provided in the valve passage.

Abstract: Provided is an improved filtration module assembly comprising a vessel having a filtration cartridge disposed within it and a header coupled to an end of the vessel, the header including a housing having an open-ended upper end and a lower end, and an end cap including a portion that mates with a complimentary structure defined by the inner all of the open ended upper end of the housing to removable engage with the housing and the end cap may further define a passageway for fluid to flow out of the vessel. The filtration module assembly may enable an improved manifold arrangement used to communicate fluids to and from a filtration system comprising a plurality of such modules and the configurations of the present invention may facilitate improved operation of such filtration systems.

Abstract: A powdered composite filtration medium includes composite particles that include at least one diatomite particle and at least one expanded perlite particle sintered together. The composite powdered filtration medium may include from about 7 wt % to about 90 wt % diatomite, from about 93 wt % to about 10 wt % expanded perlite. Less than about 1% total crystalline silica may be present in the medium. The medium may have a permeability of at least 0.25 darcy. The diatomite and expanded perlite may be sintered or calcined with or without a fluxing agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is composite media that may be utilized in coalescing elements, coalescing cartridges, coalescing systems, and coalescing methods. The disclosed media typically is a composite or laminate material formed by bonding adjacent layer of media material comprising bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A sterilization container for retaining surgical instruments in a sterilizer comprising a plurality of walls defining an interior volume sized to receive at least one instrument tray, least one of the walls defining a venting pass through area, and a filter occluding the venting passage area, wherein a ratio of the venting pass through area to the interior volume is at least 1 square inch:125 cubic inches.

Abstract: A cup-shaped housing assembly for a device for separating liquid from air has a cup-shaped housing body having an interior. At least one annular filter element for separating liquid from air is arranged in the housing body. A housing cover closes off an end face of the housing body. The housing cover has an inner side that is facing the interior and an outer side that is facing away from the interior. The housing cover has at least one raw air inlet through which raw air is supplied to the interior. The housing cover has at least one clean air opening though which filtered clean air is discharged from the interior.

Abstract: A filter media construction wherein at least two layers of a substantially open spacer and at least two layers of a filter media/material are combined in an alternating sequence and coiled around a core to form at least two distinct, continuous or segmented, coil-shaped fluid flow channels that are contiguous but separated by the filter media in the radial direction and extend axially from an inlet side to an outlet side of the filter media construction preventing direct fluid flow between the clean and dirty sides of the filter media construction. The spacer maintains substantially uniform width of the flow channels in the flow direction providing substantially uniform fluid flow. One flow channel is closed to fluid flow at the inlet side forming the clean side and the other flow channel is closed to fluid flow at the outlet side forming the dirty side of the filter media construction.

Abstract: A filter assembly (100) and a cleaner having the same are provided. The filter assembly (100) includes a tank (1) and an air intake pipe (2). The tank (1) is configured to accommodate a liquid therein and has an air inlet (13) and an air outlet (14). The air intake pipe (2) is connected to the air inlet, has an air output end (22) located in the tank (1) and extending towards the liquid (A) or submerged in the liquid (A), and has a cross sectional area gradually increased along a fluid flow direction inside the air intake pipe (2).

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for removing trace and low concentration CO2 from fluids using SIFSIX-n-M MOFs, wherein n is at least two and M is a metal. In some embodiments, the metal is zinc or copper. Embodiments include devices comprising SIFSIX-n-M MOFs for removing CO2 from fluids. In particular, embodiments relate to devices and methods utilizing SIFSIX-n-M MOFs for removing CO2 from fluids, wherein CO2 concentration is trace. Methods utilizing SIFSIX-n-M MOFs for removing CO2 from fluids can occur in confined spaces. SIFSIX-n-M MOFs can comprise bidentate organic ligands. In a specific embodiment, SIFSIX-n-M MOFs comprise pyrazine or dipryidilacetylene ligands.

Abstract: A method for producing oxygen by adsorbing a stream of atmospheric air, using a VPSA, including at least one adsorber, each adsorber undergoing a single pressure cycle including the following steps: a) producing a first stream of gas having an oxygen content T1 while loading the adsorber of the stream of atmospheric air upstream; b) producing a second stream of gas including an oxygen content T2<T1: c) producing a third stream of gas including an oxygen content T3<T2<T1 while simultaneously extracting a nitrogen-enriched residual stream; d) eluting the adsorber, from which the three streams of gas produced in steps a), b), and c) are taken with the second stream of gas produced in step b); e) repressurizing the adsorber consecutively with at least two streams, first and second repressurizing streams, with increasing oxygen content.

Abstract: A rotor includes a hub, a frame, several processing elements and several plates. There are ribs and slots formed between the frame and the processing elements, in which the ribs are engaged with the slots. Therefore, the ribs provide axial support and thus enhance the structural strength of the processing elements. In addition, the processing elements may include two layers of fiber substrates with different structural strength, so that the rotor can meet the requirements of both the structural strength and the processing efficiency by the combination of different substrates. Furthermore, there can be a perforated plate disposed on the frame for the processing elements to abut thereagainst. The rotor can thus have enhanced structural strength.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, comprising passing a fluid into a co-current contactor, passing a solvent into the co-current contactor, dividing the solvent into solvent droplets having a first average droplet size, placing the fluid in contact with the solvent droplets to create a combined stream, coalescing at least a portion of the solvent droplets to create solvent droplets having a second average droplet size, wherein the second average droplet size is greater than the first average droplet size, and separating the fluid and the solvent.

Abstract: A process for the stepwise separation of accompanying gases from a raw synthesis gas stream by a liquid absorbent countercurrently guided through all process steps and circulated via regeneration plants, wherein either the accompanying gases H2S, COS and CO2 are separated in a common absorption step or, in one of the selective absorption steps chiefly H2S and COS are separated and in the next step in flow direction of the gas chiefly CO2 is separated, and in the last step a separation of accompanying gas residues (fine wash) is effected, wherein before the separation of H2S and COS an absorption step chiefly for the separation of aromatics and subsequently an absorption step chiefly for the separation of methyl mercaptan is carried out.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for producing oil and gas while removing hydrogen sulfide from fluids produced from oil and gas reservoirs and injecting a sour gas stream containing the hydrogen sulfide into an underground formation. Hydrogen sulfide-selective membranes are used to debottleneck known systems and methods by removing hydrogen sulfide from bottlenecked plant process steps including sour gas compression, hydrogen sulfide removal and sour gas injection. Pressure ratio across the membranes can also be manipulated to provide further debottlenecking. Gas-gas eductors are also disclosed for use in leveraging relatively high-pressure streams to boost the pressure of low pressure streams. Oil production is thus increased.

Abstract: Processes for forming and sequestering CO2 clathrates in a marine environment are disclosed.

Abstract: A dryer is provided with a pressure vessel with a drying zone and regeneration zone. The regeneration zone comprises a first subzone and a second subzone. The dryer comprises a rotatable drum in the pressure vessel with a drying agent, and the outlet of the regeneration zone is connected to the drying zone via a connecting pipe with a cooler and condensate separator. A tap-off pipe is connected to the outlet of the drying zone and is also connected to the inlet of the second subzone. A blower is provided to realize a regeneration flow from the drying zone to the second subzone.

Abstract: A method and plant for capturing CO2 from a CO2 containing exhaust gas (1), where the exhaust gas is compressed (10) and thereafter cooled (13, 15, 22) before the exhaust gas is introduced into an absorber (30), where the exhaust gas is brought in counter-current flow with an aqueous CO2 absorbent solution (49), to give a lean exhaust gas (31) that is withdrawn from the absorber (30), reheated 22, 13) against incoming compressed exhaust gas, and thereafter expanded (34) and released into the atmosphere (4), where the aqueous CO2 absorbent solution is an aqueous potassium carbonate solution, and that the steam and CO2 withdrawn from the regenerator (40) is cooled in a direct contact cooler (61) by counter-current flow of cooling water (62), to generate a gaseous flow (70) of cooled CO2 and steam that is withdrawn for compression and drying of the CO2, and a liquid flow (64) of cooling water and condensed steam that is withdrawn and flashed (80), to give a cooled liquid phase (84) that is recycled as cooling wa

Abstract: A method, controller and computer readable storage medium for dosing ammonia in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for reducing NOx emissions in a flue gas, are disclosed. The method generally includes calculating a running long term average of NOx emissions, calculating a running short term average of NOx emissions and automatically adjusting an instantaneous NOx setpoint based on the running long term and short term averages to ensure compliance with a permit limit. The ammonia dosing requirement is based on a chemical mass-balance approach, and accuracy is enhanced by adjusting for the NO2 to NO composition of NOx.

Abstract: A particulate filter for use in an exhaust aftertreatment system includes a ceramic substrate and a plurality of ceramic nanofibers associated with pores of the ceramic substrate. The plurality of ceramic nanofibers may be positioned on pores of the ceramic substrate, within pore channels of the ceramic substrate, or both on pores of the ceramic substrate and within pore channels of the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: A method and system for mitigating a urea deposit within an SCR system that includes determining a mass of an accumulated urea deposit present within the SCR catalyst and SCR piping, comparing the mass of the accumulated urea deposit with a deposit upper threshold limit, and initiating an SCR regeneration event when the mass of the accumulated urea deposit is greater than the deposit upper threshold limit. The method further includes determining an amount of NH3 passing through the SCR catalyst downstream of the urea deposit, comparing the amount of NH3 passing through the SCR catalyst with an NH3 regeneration threshold limit, and terminating the SCR regeneration event when the level of NH3 passing through the SCR catalyst is less than the SCR NH3 regeneration threshold.

Abstract: An osmosis element comprising a central permeate tube and a membrane element, the membrane having a first part and a second part, the first part having a top edge for location adjacent the central tube, the second part being disposed at the opposite edge, the first part comprising a material to allow water to flow therethrough, the second part comprising at least two adjacent permeate spacers extending from the first part to allow water to flow therethrough, the permeate spacers having a semi-permeable membrane attached to opposed faces of the two adjacent permeate spacers, the first part comprising a barrier extending from the vicinity of the top edge, the central tube comprising an external wall and a longitudinally extending internal separator defining a first channel and a second channel each extending longitudinally of the central permeate tube, at least one first aperture extending from the first channel though the external wall and at least one second aperture extending from the second channel through

Abstract: A portable liquid-filtration device includes an inlet port, a filtering portion including a filtering medium and fluidly coupled to the inlet port, a filtered-liquid output port fluidly coupled to the filtering portion, a flush port fluidly coupled to the filtering portion, and a manually activated pump assembly fluidly coupled to the inlet port, filtering portion, output port and flush port. The pump assembly is configured, when activated, to create a negative fluid pressure at the inlet port and a positive fluid pressure at the output port and the flush port. As a consequence of activation of the pump assembly, the filtering portion receives unfiltered liquid from the inlet port, the output port receives from the filtering portion only liquid traversing the filtering medium in a first direction, and the flush port receives from the filtering portion liquid traversing the filtering medium in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: An end cap for a filtration module having a chamber includes an outlet channel extending therethrough which is part of or forms an aerodynamically shaped element having a cross section with an elongated shape mainly directed from the inlet to the first outlet, a width of the elongated shape at both ends thereof being smaller than at a center part of the elongated shape. An end cap may also include an inlet, a first and second outlet, and a flow guide element arranged between the inlet and the first outlet within the chamber at a second outlet side thereof, the flow guide element extending a part of an inlet wall to a corresponding part of a first outlet wall, the flow guide element defining one or more openings allowing a portion of a main flow to flow towards the second outlet.

Abstract: A monolithic separation membrane structure comprises a porous monolithic substrate and a separation membrane. The monolithic substrate includes a first end surface, a second end surface and a plurality of through-holes respectively passing from the first end surface to the second end surface. The separation membrane is formed on an inner surface of the respective plurality of through-holes. The surface roughness Ra of the separation membrane is no more than 1 micrometer and the thickness of the separation membrane is no more than 5 micrometers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the microfiltration, ultrafiltration, or nanofiltration and/or the emulsification of liquids. The device has at least one rotatable membrane medium, which has a filtrate/permeate side or a side facing a dispersed phase and a concentrate/retentate side or a side facing a coherent phase and which can be rotated in a container in order to produce a vacuum on an unfiltered liquid side or the side facing the coherent phase on partial regions of the at least one rotatable membrane medium in the container in small time segments at a frequency of 1-100 Hz. Said container has at least one feed for an unfiltered liquid or the coherent phase, at least one overflow for an unfiltered liquid or an emulsion, and at least one rotatable channel for filtrate/permeate drainage or feed of the dispersed phase, and a suction device, in particular in the manner of a suction strip or nozzle plate.