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| 20110082486 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20120310262 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120310263 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120310264 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20150182251 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. | 07-02-2015 |
| 20150182276 | SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES - A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal. | 07-02-2015 |
| 20150182277 | SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES - A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal. | 07-02-2015 |
| 20150196318 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal. | 07-16-2015 |
| 20150327883 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. In accordance with the method, a generator is configured to generate at least one time varying electrical signal having a resonant frequency, monitor the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal, compare the resonant frequency to a threshold frequency, and trigger a first response of the generator when the resonant frequency crosses the threshold frequency. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150328484 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. In accordance with the method, a generator is configured to generate at least one time varying electrical signal having a resonant frequency, monitor the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal, calculate a frequency slope between frequency data points of the time varying electrical signal, where the frequency slope is the change in resonant frequency over time, compare the frequency slope to a threshold frequency slope, and trigger a first response of the generator when the frequency slope crosses the threshold frequency slope. | 11-19-2015 |
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| 20130118948 | TRANSPORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED ASSAY FACILITY AND METHOD OF USING SAME TO PROCURE AND ASSAY PRECIOUS METALS - A transportable, self-contained assay facility built in a modified standard shipping container that is completely equipped to melt and assay precious metals, particularly gold and silver. An induction furnace melts the metal that is then poured into an ingot. The ingot is weighed and analyzed using an XRF alloy analyzer and the percentage of gold and/or other metals recorded. The value of the gold at current market prices is calculated and the assay and the value of the ingot is printed and given to the seller. The seller may opt to receive the ingot and pay the assayer an assay fee. Alternately, the seller may ask to be paid in cash, by bullion, wire transfer, or by an open hedge. A transfer or hedge is initiated and confirmed from the assay facility. The ingots may be securely stored in a safe within the assay facility. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130276479 | CUSTOMIZABLE, LIQUID FILLED SEALED GLASS JEWELRY AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME - A method for making customizable liquid-filled glass jewelry wherein a hollow glass vessel is blown or otherwise manufactured and then partially filled with small diamonds, gems, stones, pieces of metal, etc. Thereafter, the hollow glass vessel is completely filled with a semi-viscous liquid having a specific index of refraction. Once filled with liquid, a sealing cap is attached to the glass vessel, the cap typically being decorative. With a properly selected index of refraction, the vessel appears to be solid glass with the small diamonds, etc. being suspended therein. Colorized diamonds produced by irradiation produce particularly attractive results. A process for creating custom molds for blowing custom glass vessels is described. Molds are created using instructions derived from images generated by 3-D solid rendering software to direct a numerically controlled milling machine or other such machine tool. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20140040151 | Mobile assay facility and method of using same to procure and assay precious metals - A self contained, mobile assay facility built in a modified armored truck is completely equipped to smelt and assay precious metals, particularly gold and silver. An induction furnace melts the metal that is then poured into an ingot. The ingot is weighed and analyzed using an XRF alloy analyzer and the percentage of gold and/or other metals recorded. The value of the gold at current market prices is calculated and the assay and the value of the ingot is printed and given to the seller. The seller may opt to receive the ingot and pay the assayer an assay fee. Alternately, the seller may ask to be paid cash or by wire transfer that may be initiated and confirmed from within the mobile assay facility. The ingots may be safely stored or shipped directly from the mobile facility to a wholesaler for further processing. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140042728 | ELECTROMAGNETICALLY LOCKABLE ROTATING BINDING FOR A SPORTBOARD OR THE LIKE - An apparatus for facilitation selective rotation of a sportboard binding relative to a sportboard interposed between the binding and the sportboard. An electro-magnetically actuated locking mechanism controls the rotation of a retaining ring assembly relative to a bottom capture plate and a top plate assembly. The bottom capture plate is attached to the sportboard. The retaining ring assembly is attached to the binding by teeth on an outer perimeter thereof. One or more pairs of diametrically opposed ferromagnetic inserts placed in the retaining ring assembly define specific angular positions at which the binding may be locked. An external power source (e.g., a battery) is connected to the electro-magnetically actuated locking mechanism via a switch adapted to be operated by a rider of the sportboard such that he or she can selectively control the locking and unlocking of the mechanism to allow rotation of the binding as desired. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140122376 | Method of preparing and using an armored truck as a mobile assaying platform - There is provided a method for modifying an armored truck to create a self-contained, mobile smelting and assaying facility for the processing of precious metals. There is further provided a method for using the mobile facility to visit a client site, receive precious metal from the client, smelt the metal, pour an ingot therefrom, assay the ingot and pay the client for the received precious metal based on a current market price obtained within the mobile facility. A security/surveillance system included interior and exterior cameras whose images are both recorded and transmitted to a remote location. The communications system provides continuous Internet access within the facility. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140353205 | TRANSPORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED ASSAY FACILITY AND METHOD OF USING SAME TO PROCURE AND ASSAY PRECIOUS METALS - A transportable, self-contained assay facility built in a modified standard shipping container that is completely equipped to melt and assay precious metals, particularly gold and silver. An induction furnace melts the metal that is then poured into an ingot. The ingot is weighed and analyzed using an XRF alloy analyzer and the percentage of gold and/or other metals recorded. The value of the gold at current market prices is calculated and the assay and the value of the ingot is printed and given to the seller. The seller may opt to receive the ingot and pay the assayer an assay fee. Alternately, the seller may ask to be paid in cash, by bullion, wire transfer, or by an open hedge. A transfer or hedge is initiated and confirmed from the assay facility. The ingots may be securely stored in a safe within the assay facility. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20150032667 | SELF-CONTAINED ASSAY FACILITY IN AN AIRCRAFT AND METHOD OF USING SAME TO PROCURE AND ASSAY PRECIOUS METALS - A self-contained assay facility housed in a fixed-wing or rotary wing aircraft that is completely equipped to melt and assay precious metals, particularly gold and silver. An induction furnace melts the metal that is then poured into an ingot. The ingot is weighed and analyzed using an XRF alloy analyzer and the percentage of gold and/or other metals recorded. The value of the gold at current market prices is calculated and the assay and the value of the ingot is printed and given to the seller. The seller may opt to receive the ingot and pay the assayer an assay fee. Alternately, the seller may ask to be paid in cash, in bullion, by wire transfer, or by an open hedge. A transfer or hedge is initiated and confirmed from the assay facility. The ingots are securely stored in a safe within the assay facility. | 01-29-2015 |
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| 20120034150 | Method for Producing Solid Carbon by Reducing Carbon Oxides - A method for the production of various morphologies of solid carbon product by reducing carbon oxides with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst. The carbon oxides are typically either carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. The reducing agent is typically either a hydrocarbon gas or hydrogen. The desired morphology of the solid carbon product may be controlled by the specific catalysts, reaction conditions and optional additives used in the reduction reaction. The resulting solid carbon products have many commercial applications. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20140021827 | PRIMARY VOLTAIC SOURCES INCLUDING NANOFIBER SCHOTTKY BARRIER ARRAYS AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME - Primary voltaic sources include nanofiber Schottky barrier arrays and a radioactive source including at least one radioactive element configured to emit radioactive particles. The arrays have a semiconductor component and a metallic component joined at a metal-semiconductor junction. The radioactive source is positioned proximate to the arrays such that at least a portion of the radioactive particles impinge on the arrays to produce a flow of electrons across the metal-semiconductor junction. Methods of producing voltaic sources include reacting at least one carbon oxide and a reducing agent in the presence of a substrate comprising a catalyst to form a solid carbon product over the substrate. Material is disposed over at least a portion of the solid carbon product to form a nanofiber Schottky barrier array. A radioactive source is disposed adjacent the nanofiber Schottky barrier array. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140141248 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING SOLID CARBON BY REDUCING CARBON OXIDES - A method for production of various morphologies of solid carbon product by reducing carbon oxides with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst. The carbon oxides are typically either carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. The reducing agent is typically either a hydrocarbon gas or hydrogen. The desired morphology of the solid carbon product may be controlled by the specific catalysts, reaction conditions, and optional additives used in the reduction reaction. The resulting solid carbon products have many commercial applications. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140348739 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR FORMING CARBON NANOTUBES - Systems and a method for forming carbon nanotubes are described. A method includes forming carbon nanotubes in a reactor, using a Bosch reaction. The carbon nanotubes are separated from a reactor effluent to form a waste gas stream. The feed gas, a dry waste gas stream, or both, are heated with waste heat from the waste gas stream. The waste gas stream is chilled in an ambient temperature heat exchanger to condense water vapor, forming a dry waste gas stream. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150059527 | METHODS FOR TREATING AN OFFGAS CONTAINING CARBON OXIDES - A method of treating an offgas includes purifying the offgas to remove particulate matter, water, undesirable gaseous components and inert gases to produce a dried carbon oxide gas feedstock, and converting at least a portion of carbon oxides in the dried carbon oxide gas feedstock into solid carbon. In other embodiments, a method includes passing a dried carbon oxide gas feedstock through a multi-stage catalytic converter. A first stage is configured to catalyze methane-reforming reactions to convert methane into carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen with residual methane. A second stage is configured to catalyze the Bosch reaction and convert carbon oxides and hydrogen to solid carbon and water. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150059571 | REMOVING CARBON NANOTUBES FROM A CONTINUOUS REACTOR EFFLUENT - Systems and a method for removing carbon nanotubes from a continuous reactor effluent are provided herein. The method includes flowing the continuous reactor effluent through a separation vessel, separating carbon nanotubes from the continuous reactor effluent in the separation vessel, and generating a stream including gaseous components from the continuous reactor effluent. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150064092 | METHODS AND REACTORS FOR PRODUCING SOLID CARBON NANOTUBES, SOLID CARBON CLUSTERS, AND FORESTS - Methods of producing fibrous solid carbon forests include reacting carbon oxides with gaseous reducing agents in the presence of a catalyst having a predetermined grain size to cause growth of fibrous solid carbon forests upon a surface of the metal. The fibrous solid carbon forests are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the metal thus creating the “forests”. A bi-modal forest composition of matter is described in which a primary distribution of fibrous solid carbon comprises the forest and a secondary distribution of fibrous solid carbon is entangled with the primary distribution. A reactor includes a catalyst, a means for facilitating the reduction of a carbon oxide to form solid carbon forests on a surface of the catalyst, and a means for removing the solid carbon forest from the surface of the metal catalyst. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150064096 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THERMAL ENERGY RECOVERY FROM PRODUCTION OF SOLID CARBON MATERIALS BY REDUCING CARBON OXIDES - A method of thermal energy recovery from production of at least one solid carbon material comprises reacting at least one carbon oxide material and at least one gaseous reducing material at a temperature of greater than or equal to about | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150064097 | CARBON NANOTUBES HAVING A BIMODAL SIZE DISTRIBUTION - A composition comprising a mixture of carbon nanotubes having a bi-modal size distribution are produced by reducing carbon oxides with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst. The resulting mixture of nanotubes include a primary population of multiwall carbon nanotubes having characteristic diameters greater than 40 nanometers, and a secondary population of what are apparently single wall nanotubes with characteristic diameters of less than 30 nanometers. The resulting mixture may also contain one or more other allotropes and morphologies of carbon in various proportions. The mixture of carbon nanotubes has specific apparently uncommon properties, including unusual resistivity and density | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150071846 | METHODS FOR PRODUCING SOLID CARBON BY REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE - A two-stage reaction process includes reacting gaseous carbon dioxide with a reducing agent to form carbon monoxide and water. At least a portion of the water is condensed to form a dry tail gas. The dry tail gas, with the possible addition of a reducing agent, reacts to convert at least a portion of the carbon monoxide to solid carbon and water. Other methods include reacting a feed gas mixture to form a reaction mixture, condensing water from the reaction mixture to form a dried reaction mixture, mixing the dried reaction mixture with a recirculating gas to form a catalytic converter feed gas mixture, flowing the catalytic converter feed gas mixture through a catalytic converter to form solid carbon and a tail gas mixture containing water, and flowing the tail gas mixture through a heat exchanger. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150071848 | FEEDSTOCKS FOR FORMING CARBON ALLOTROPES - Methods and systems are provided for forming carbon allotropes. An exemplary method includes forming a feedstock that includes at least about 10 mol % oxygen, at least about 10 mol % carbon, and at least about 20 mol % hydrogen. Carbon allotropes are formed from the feedstock in a reactor in a Bosch reaction at a temperature of at least about 500° C., and the carbon allotropes are separated from a reactor effluent stream. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150078981 | METHODS FOR USING METAL CATALYSTS IN CARBON OXIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS - A method of reducing a gaseous carbon oxide includes reacting a carbon oxide with a gaseous reducing agent in the presence of a steel catalyst. The reaction proceeds under conditions adapted to produce solid carbon of various allotropes and morphologies the selective formation of which can be controlled by means of controlling reaction gas composition and reaction conditions including temperature and pressure. A method for utilizing a steel catalyst for reducing carbon oxides includes placing the steel catalyst in a suitable reactor and flowing reaction gases comprising a carbon oxide with at least one gaseous reducing agent through the reactor where, in the presence of the steel catalyst, at least a portion of the carbon in the carbon oxide is converted to solid carbon and a tail gas mixture containing water vapor. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150078982 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CAPTURING AND SEQUESTERING CARBON AND FOR REDUCING THE MASS OF CARBON OXIDES IN A WASTE GAS STREAM - Methods of capturing or sequestering carbon include introducing a reaction gas stream to a catalytic converter to convert a portion of the carbon in the carbon oxide to solid carbon and a tail gas stream containing water vapor, removing the solid carbon from the catalytic converter for use, disposal, or storage, and recycling at least a portion of the tail gas stream to the catalytic converter. Methods may also include removing a portion of the water from the tail gas stream. The tail gas stream includes a portion of the initial process gas stream and at least a portion of water vapor produced in the catalytic converter. Methods may also include removing water vapor from various streams and reacting the carbon oxide with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst. Systems for capturing or sequestering carbon from a gaseous source containing carbon oxides are also described. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150086468 | METHODS AND STRUCTURES FOR REDUCING CARBON OXIDES WITH NON FERROUS CATALYSTS - A method of reducing a gaseous carbon oxide includes reacting a carbon oxide with a gaseous reducing agent in the presence of a non-ferrous catalyst. The reaction proceeds under conditions adapted to produce solid carbon of various allotropes and morphologies, the selective formation of which can be controlled by means of controlling reaction gas composition and reaction conditions including temperature and pressure. A method for utilizing a non-ferrous catalyst in a reactor includes placing the catalyst in a suitable reactor and flowing reaction gases comprising a carbon oxide with at least one gaseous reducing agent through the reactor where, in the presence of the catalyst, at least a portion of the carbon in the carbon oxide is converted to solid carbon and a tail gas mixture containing water vapor. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150093323 | GENERATING CATALYSTS FOR FORMING CARBON ALLOTROPES - A system and methods for forming carbon allotropes are described. The system includes a reactor configured to use a catalyst to form a carbon allotrope from a feed stock in a Bosch reaction. The catalyst includes a roughened metal surface. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150114819 | REMOVING CARBON NANOTUBES FROM A WATER SYSTEM - Methods and a system for removing carbon nanotubes from a water stream are provided herein. The system includes a purification vessel, wherein the purification vessel is configured to form a carbon oxide from the carbon nanotubes within the water stream. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150147259 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FORMING AMMONIA AND SOLID CARBON PRODUCTS - Methods of concurrently forming ammonia and solid carbon products include reacting a carbon oxide, nitrogen, and a reducing agent at preselected reaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst to form a solid carbon product entrained in a tail gas mixture comprising water and ammonia; separating entrained solid carbon product from the tail gas mixture; and recovering water and ammonia from the tail gas mixture. Systems for forming ammonia and solid carbon products from a gaseous source containing carbon oxides include mixing means for mixing the gaseous source with a reducing agent, reactor means for reacting at least a portion of the gaseous source with the reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst to produce the solid carbon products and a tail gas mixture comprising the ammonia, and solid separation means for separating the solid carbon products from the tail gas mixture. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150147261 | CARBONACEOUS FEEDSTOCKS FOR FORMING CARBON ALLOTROPES - Methods and systems are provided for forming carbon allotropes. An exemplary method includes treating a carbonaceous compound to form a feedstock that includes at least about 10 mol % oxygen, at least about 10 mol % carbon, and at least about 20 mol % hydrogen. Carbon allotropes are formed from the feedstock in a reactor in a Bosch reaction at a temperature of at least about 500° C. The carbon allotropes are separated from a reactor effluent stream. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150225242 | SOLID CARBON PRODUCTS COMPRISING CARBON NANOTUBES AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME - Methods of forming solid carbon products include disposing a plurality of nanotubes in a press, and applying heat to the plurality of carbon nanotubes to form the solid carbon product. Further processing may include sintering the solid carbon product to form a plurality of covalently bonded carbon nanotubes. The solid carbon product includes a plurality of voids between the carbon nanotubes having a median minimum dimension of less than about 100 nm. Some methods include compressing a material comprising carbon nanotubes, heating the compressed material in a non-reactive environment to form covalent bonds between adjacent carbon nanotubes to form a sintered solid carbon product, and cooling the sintered solid carbon product to a temperature at which carbon of the carbon nanotubes do not oxidize prior to removing the resulting solid carbon product for further processing, shipping, or use. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150291424 | REACTORS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING SOLID CARBON MATERIALS - A reactor for producing a solid carbon material comprising at least one reaction chamber configured to produce a solid carbon material and water vapor through a reduction reaction between at least one carbon oxide and at least one gaseous reducing material in the presence of at least one catalyst material. Additional reactors, and related methods of producing a solid carbon material, and of forming a reactor for producing a solid carbon material are also described. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150321918 | METHODS FOR PRODUCING SOLID CARBON BY REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE - A two-stage reaction process includes reacting gaseous carbon dioxide with a reducing agent to form carbon monoxide and water. At least a portion of the water is condensed to form a dry tail gas. The dry tail gas, with the possible addition of a reducing agent, reacts to convert at least a portion of the carbon monoxide to solid carbon and water. Other methods include reacting a feed gas mixture to form a reaction mixture, condensing water from the reaction mixture to form a dried reaction mixture, mixing the dried reaction mixture with a recirculating gas to form a catalytic converter feed gas mixture, flowing the catalytic converter feed gas mixture through a catalytic converter to form solid carbon and a tail gas mixture containing water, and flowing the tail gas mixture through a heat exchanger. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20160023902 | SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCING SOLID CARBON BY REDUCING CARBON OXIDES - An apparatus for producing solid carbon and water by reducing carbon oxides with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst includes a reactor configured to receive reaction gas comprising at least one carbon oxide, at least one reducing agent, and water. The apparatus includes at least one mixing means configured to mix the reagents to form a combined feed, a first heat exchanger configured to heat the combined feed, at least one heater configured to further heat the combined feed, and a reaction vessel configured to receive the combined feed. The reaction vessel is configured to contain a catalyst, to maintain predetermined reaction conditions of temperature and pressure, and has an output configured to deliver a tail gas to the first heat exchanger. The system also includes a product separator, a water separation unit, and a product packaging unit. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160027934 | ELECTRODES COMPRISING NANOSTRUCTURED CARBON - An electrode includes a network of compressed interconnected nanostructured carbon particles such as carbon nanotubes. Some nanostructured carbon particles of the network are in electrical contact with adjacent nanostructured carbon particles. Electrodes may be used in various devices, such as capacitors, electric arc furnaces, batteries, etc. A method of producing an electrode includes confining a mass of nanostructured carbon particles and densifying the confined mass of nanostructured carbon particles to form a cohesive body with sufficient contacts between adjacent nanostructured carbon particles to provide an electrical path between at least two remote points of the cohesive body. The electrodes may be sintered to induce covalent bonding between the nanostructured carbon particles at contact points to further enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of the electrodes. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160030925 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FORMING CATALYTIC ASSEMBLIES, AND RELATED CATALYTIC ASSEMBLIES - A method of forming a catalytic assembly comprises forming a support structure comprising at least one surface comprising at least one catalyst material. At least one mounted nanocatalyst is formed on the at least one support structure, the at least one mounted nanocatalyst comprising a nanoparticle of the at least one catalyst material bound to a nanostructure. A catalytic assembly and system for producing a catalytic assembly are also described. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160030926 | Compositions of Matter Comprising Nanocatalyst Structures, Systems Comprising Nanocatalyst Structures, and Related Methods - Methods of forming and producing nanocatalysts mounted on or within nanofiber or nanotube structures are disclosed. The mounting structures prevent the nanocatalysts from agglomerating and retain the nanocatalysts in a reactor. The nanocatalysts may be grown over a bulk catalyst material without treating the nanotubes after forming the nanotubes. The resulting nanocatalysts remain catalytically active immediately after formation of the mounting supports and are effective in a wide variety of reactions. Systems are disclosed for reacting reaction gases to form mounting structures with at least one embedded nanocatalyst in the growth tips. The mounting structures may catalyze a different, subsequent reaction than the nanofiber formation reaction, which may take place in the same or a different reactor. Methods of forming a mass of nanocatalysts and catalyzing a reaction with the mass of nanocatalysts are disclosed. Systems are disclosed for forming a mass of nanocatalysts and catalyzing another reaction with the mass of nanocatalysts. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160031710 | CARBON OXIDE REDUCTION WITH INTERMETALLIC AND CARBIDE CATALYSTS - A method of reducing a gaseous carbon oxide includes reacting a carbon oxide with a gaseous reducing agent in the presence of an intermetallic or carbide catalyst. The reaction proceeds under conditions adapted to produce solid carbon of various allotropes and morphologies, the selective formation of which can be controlled by means of controlling reaction gas composition and reaction conditions including temperature and pressure. A method for utilizing an intermetallic or carbide catalyst in a reactor includes placing the catalyst in a suitable reactor and flowing reaction gases comprising a carbon oxide with at least one gaseous reducing agent through the reactor where, in the presence of the catalyst, at least a portion of the carbon in the carbon oxide is converted to solid carbon and a tail gas mixture containing water vapor. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160039677 | DIRECT COMBUSTION HEATING - An electrode includes a network of compressed interconnected nanostructured carbon particles such as carbon nanotubes. Some nanostructured carbon particles of the network are in electrical contact with adjacent nanostructured carbon particles. Electrodes may be used in various devices, such as capacitors, electric arc furnaces, batteries, etc. A method of producing an electrode includes confining a mass of nanostructured carbon particles and densifying the confined mass of nanostructured carbon particles to form a cohesive body with sufficient contacts between adjacent nanostructured carbon particles to provide an electrical path between at least two remote points of the cohesive body. The electrodes may be sintered to induce covalent bonding between the nanostructured carbon particles at contact points to further enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of the electrodes. | 02-11-2016 |
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| 20080253901 | Jet Ejector System and Method - According to one embodiment of the invention, a jet ejector method includes providing a primary jet ejector having a primary inlet stream, coupling one or more secondary jet ejectors to the primary jet ejector such that all of the jet ejectors are in a cascaded arrangement, bleeding off a portion of the primary inlet stream and directing the portion of the primary inlet stream to the secondary jet ejector that is closest to the primary jet ejector in the cascaded arrangement, and directing a motive fluid into the secondary jet ejector that is farthest from the primary jet ejector in the cascaded arrangement. The method further includes, at each secondary jet ejector, receiving at least some of the portion of the primary inlet stream and at least some of the motive fluid to create respective mixtures within the secondary jet ejectors, and at each secondary jet ejector, directing at least a portion of the respective mixture to adjacent jet ejectors in the cascaded arrangement. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20090324432 | Gerotor apparatus for a quasi-isothermal brayton cycle engine - According to one embodiment of the invention, an engine system comprises a housing, an outer gerotor, an inner gerotor, a tip inlet port, a face inlet port, and a tip outlet port. The housing has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first endwall, and a second endwall. The outer gerotor is at least partially disposed in the housing and at least partially defines an outer gerotor chamber. The inner gerotor is at least partially disposed within the outer gerotor chamber. The tip inlet port is formed in the first sidewall and allows fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber. The face inlet port is formed in the first endwall and allows fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber. The tip outlet port is formed in the second sidewall and allows fluid to exit the outer gerotor chamber. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100202936 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SOLUBILIZING PROTEIN - A process for solubilization of protein including application of an alkali, such as lime, and heating. The process may also involve lime recovery and may be accomplished in a single stage or two stages to separate protein solubilized from labile and recalcitrant sources. Systems and devices for use in such process, including a continuous stirred tank reactor and a plug flow reactor are also involved. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100203625 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING BIOMASS - According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for processing biomass comprises a chamber, a biomass input device, a fluid input device, and a retrieval device. The chamber is defined by at least a bottom, at least one wall, and a cover supported by the at least one wall. The biomass input device operable to deliver biomass into the chamber to form a biomass pile. The fluid input device is operable to deliver fluid into the chamber to the biomass pile. The retrieval device operable to receive fluid from the chamber. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100247360 | Gerotor Apparatus for a Quasi-Isothermal Brayton Cycle Engine - According to one embodiment of the invention, an engine system comprises a housing, an outer gerotor, an inner gerotor, a tip inlet port, a face inlet port, and a tip outlet port. The housing has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first endwall, and a second endwall. The outer gerotor is at least partially disposed in the housing and at least partially defines an outer gerotor chamber. The inner gerotor is at least partially disposed within the outer gerotor chamber. The tip inlet port is formed in the first sidewall and allows fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber. The face inlet port is formed in the first endwall and allows fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber. The tip outlet port is formed in the second sidewall and allows fluid to exit the outer gerotor chamber. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20120225460 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING BIOMASS - A method for processing biomass that includes forming a first pile comprising biomass; inoculating said first pile comprising biomass; circulating a liquid in said first pile; fermenting the biomass in said first pile to produce a carboxylate salt; and extracting at least a portion of the liquid in the first pile and passing said portion of liquid to a second pile comprising biomass, wherein said second pile is operating at a higher carboxylate salt concentration than said first pile. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20130231467 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SOLUBILIZING PROTEIN - A method of solubilizing protein that includes applying an alkali to a protein source to form a slurry; heating the slurry to a temperature sufficient to allow hydrolysis of protein in the protein source to obtain a reaction liquid comprising solubilized proteins, prions, and reactive solids; separating reactive solids from the reaction liquid to produce a separated reaction liquid, wherein the reactive solids comprise unsolubilized proteins; further heating the separated reaction liquid to an elevated temperature and holding for a time period sufficient to destroy prions in the separated reaction liquid, wherein the elevated temperature is between 75° C. and 250° C. and the time period is between 1 second and 5 hours; and neutralizing the reaction liquid with acid or an acid source to produce a neutralized liquid. | 09-05-2013 |
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| 20140278762 | Methods and systems for signal construction for distribution and monetization by signal sellers - Methods and systems for generating signals or indicators from distributed data sources controlled by a multiplicity of owners are also provided. Signals are indicators of data that are derived from data sources and abstracted to protect the underlying data. Each entity that sells data in the virtual marketplace first converts data into a “signal” or indicator that represents the data without disclosing it or providing it. The value of the signal cannot be determined separately from one or more buyers and their objectives. Sellers of signals determine if it wants to share information based upon buyer, price, and other rules. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278763 | Methods and systems for signals management - Methods and systems for managing signals by signal owners. Signals are indicators of data that are derived from data sources and abstracted to protect the underlying data. The signal owner first converts its own underlying data into a “signal” or indicator that represents the data without disclosing it or providing it. Signal sellers determine if they wants share signals based upon buyer, price, and other rules, including limitations on signal use. Signal buyers determine signal value based upon their objectives. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278764 | Methods and systems for a virtual marketplace or exchange for distributed signals including data correlation engines - Methods and systems for providing an automated virtualized signal marketplace or exchange for signals from distributed data sources that are controlled by a multiplicity of signal sellers or signal owners, including at least one data correlation engine that is operable for processing the signals to generate at least one correlation value relating to a specific objective for signal buyers corresponding to the behavior of the object and/or the activity and/or the event. Signals are indicators of data that are derived from data sources and abstracted to protect the underlying data. Each entity that sells data in the virtual marketplace first converts data into a “signal” or indicator that represents the data without disclosing it or providing it. Signal sellers determine if they wants share signals based upon buyer, price, and other rules, including limitations on signal use. Signal buyers determine signal value based upon their objectives. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278776 | Methods and systems for a virtual marketplace or exchange for distributed signals - Methods and systems for providing an automated virtualized signal marketplace or exchange for signals from distributed data sources that are controlled by a multiplicity of signal sellers or signal owners. Signals are indicators of data that are derived from data sources and abstracted to protect the underlying data. Each entity that sells data in the virtual marketplace first converts data into a “signal” or indicator that represents the data without disclosing it or providing it. Signal sellers determine if they wants share signals based upon buyer, price, and other rules, including limitations on signal use. Signal buyers determine signal value based upon their objectives. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140278777 | Method and systems for distributed signals for use with advertising - Methods and systems for providing an automated virtualized signal marketplace or exchange for signals from distributed data sources for use in advertising. Systems and methods to automatically discover and recommend which of the signals controlled by multiple entities may be most effective toward a given objective associated with advertising campaigns. Signals are indicators of data that are derived from data sources and abstracted to protect the underlying data. Each entity that sells data in the virtual marketplace first converts data into a “signal” or indicator that represents the data without disclosing it or providing it. Signal sellers determine if they want share signals based upon buyer, price, and other rules, including limitations on signal use; signal buyers determine signal value based upon their objectives. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20150178744 | Methods and systems for signals management - Methods and systems for managing signals based upon agreements, parameters, and rules governing signal(s) use, including limitations on signal use. Signals are indicators of data that are derived from data sources and abstracted to protect the underlying data. The signal owner first converts its own underlying data into a “signal” or indicator that represents the data without disclosing it or providing it. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150213465 | Systems and Methods for Identity Management - Methods and systems for managing signals based upon agreements, parameters, and rules governing signal(s) use, including limitations on signal use. Signals are indicators of data that are derived from data sources and abstracted to protect the underlying data. The signal owner first converts its own underlying data into a “signal” or indicator that represents the data without disclosing it or providing it. | 07-30-2015 |
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| 20110106727 | Weather Risk Management System - This disclosure relates to a system for managing financial risk associated with weather-based service contracts, and more specifically, to a system based on the purchase of weather derivatives to select, manage, minimize, and redistribute financial burdens associated with costs incurred from the payment of services related to greater than average weather-based events. An option contract having a tick price, and an associated premium at a fixed strike price is selected at a desired coverage, in one embodiment, the desired coverage is associated with a payout with the associated tick price that covers the base price of performing the service for a nominal weather condition, the premium of buying the option, and the price of performing the services for exceptional weather precipitations of a three standard deviation from the nominal value. If a hedge trader offers this service rather than a service provider, the desired coverage will also cover the a commission for the trade. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20140019197 | WEATHER RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - This disclosure relates to a system for managing financial risk associated with weather-based service contracts, and more specifically, to a system based on the purchase of weather derivatives to select, manage, minimize, and redistribute financial burdens associated with costs incurred from the payment of services related to greater than average weather-based events. An option contract having a tick price, and an associated premium at a fixed strike price is selected at a desired coverage, in one embodiment, the desired coverage is associated with a payout with the associated tick price that covers the base price of performing the service for a nominal weather condition, the premium of buying the option, and the price of performing the services for exceptional weather precipitations of a three standard deviation from the nominal value. If a hedge trader offers this service rather than a service provider, the desired coverage will also cover the a commission for the trade. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140337088 | WEATHER RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - This disclosure relates to a system for managing financial risk associated with weather-based service contracts, and more specifically, to a system based on the purchase of weather derivatives to select, manage, minimize, and redistribute financial burdens associated with costs incurred from the payment of services related to greater than average weather-based events. An option contract having a tick price, and an associated premium at a fixed strike price is selected at a desired coverage, in one embodiment, the desired coverage is associated with a payout with the associated tick price that covers the base price of performing the service for a nominal weather condition, the premium of buying the option, and the price of performing the services for exceptional weather precipitations of a three standard deviation from the nominal value. If a hedge trader offers this service rather than a service provider, the desired coverage will also cover the a commission for the trade. | 11-13-2014 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20110109758 | CAMERA PARAMETER-ASSISTED VIDEO ENCODING - This disclosure describes techniques for improving functionalities of a back-end device, e.g., a video encoder, using parameters detected by a front-end device, e.g., a video camera. The techniques may involve detecting a scene change in a captured frame, based on one or more parameters of auto exposure (AE), auto white balance (AWB), and auto focus (AF) functions. If a scene change is detected in a captured frame, a video processing device, which may be a stand-alone device, or may be integrated into one of the front-end or back-end devices, provides an indication of the scene change. The video encoder interprets the signal as a trigger to encode the frame indicated as the frame where a scene change occurred as a reference I frame. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20120105668 | REGION OF INTEREST EXTRACTION - An example image capture device determines a region of interest using a first image captured while a light source is powered off and a second image captured while a light source is powered on and uses the region of interest to automatically set configurations. In one example, an image capture device includes a controlled light source, an image sensor configured to capture images, and a processing unit configured to cause the image sensor to capture a first image of a scene while the controlled light source is powered off, cause the image sensor to capture a second image of the scene while the controlled light source is powered on, calculate luminance differences between a plurality of regions in the first image and a plurality of collocated regions in the second image, and determine that a region of interest includes those regions for which the luminance differences exceed a threshold. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120236181 | GENERATING A ZOOMED IMAGE - An apparatus and method of generating a zoomed image is disclosed. A particular method includes receiving an instruction to perform a zoom operation. Window information is sent to an image sensor based on the instruction. The window information corresponds to a portion of the image sensor. In addition, a request to reduce the pixel clock rate may be sent to the image sensor. The request may cause the image sensor to reduce the pixel clock rate such that a frame rate of image data captured by the image sensor is maintained. Cropped image data corresponding to the portion of the image sensor is received. The cropped image data is upscaled to generate a zoomed image | 09-20-2012 |
| 20140198237 | GENERATING A ZOOMED IMAGE - An apparatus and method of generating a zoomed image is disclosed. A particular method includes receiving an instruction to perform a zoom operation. Window information is sent to an image sensor based on the instruction. The window information corresponds to a portion of the image sensor. In addition, a request to reduce the pixel clock rate may be sent to the image sensor. The request may cause the image sensor to reduce the pixel clock rate such that a frame rate of image data captured by the image sensor is maintained. Cropped image data corresponding to the portion of the image sensor is received. The cropped image data is upscaled to generate a zoomed image. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140354859 | AUTOMATIC BANDING CORRECTION IN AN IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - Certain embodiments relate to banding detection and correction techniques to improve the quality of captured imagery, such as video or still images. In particular, this disclosure describes banding correction techniques that cycle between detection of rolling banding and static banding to determine the power line frequency of ambient light, for example 50 Hz or 60 Hz. The banding correction techniques may also compare different image frames to detect rolling banding. The banding correction techniques may compare row sum data of a plurality of image frames and apply a Fourier analysis to determine a periodic signal of static banding at a particular ambient light power line frequency. | 12-04-2014 |
