Abstract:
A metering device that allows the two-way exchange of electrical energy between the power grid and electric vehicles by giving customers the option to upload electrical energy from their vehicle's electrical power system to the power grid or to another vehicle, or the option to download electrical energy from the power grid or another vehicle, to charge their vehicle's electric storage system, depending on the current market price of electricity. This allows users to both buy and sell electricity as a commodity to offset their fuel costs and to generate income. The metering device and the associated server may maintain a database of the user's preferences and identification. The metering device may allow customers to upload and sell electricity from their vehicles during peak, high cost, energy consumption periods, download and buy electricity to their vehicles during low energy, low cost, consumption periods, or algorithmically engage in bi-directional transfer depending on the user's preferences and other variables (see [0043]) in order to maximize the customer's monetary returns and minimize the customer's monetary expenses.
Abstract:
An interactive language instruction system employs a setting and characters with which a learner can interact with verbal and text communication. The learner moves through an environment simulating a cultural setting appropriate for the language being learned. Interaction with characters is determined by a skill level matrix to provide varying levels of difficulty. A visual dictionary allows querying of depicted objects in the environment for verbal and text definitions as well as testing for skill determination.
Abstract:
A process for recovering suitable polyester feedstock material from recycled polyester includes the steps of depolymerizing the polyester into its component ester monomers and half-esters; separating the monomers and half-esters from other secondary materials; and mixing the component ester monomers and half-esters with additional monomers to produce a low molecular weight polyester. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the recycled polyester is contacted with a component monomer or oligomer thereof to liquefy the polyester before the polyester is depolymerized.The invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out the process. The apparatus includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from the liquefied separator products.
Abstract:
A system for providing content to client computing devices. The system is configured to receive an audio feed that includes audio segments. Each audio segment includes either regular audio content or preemptory audio content. The system may determine whether each audio segment includes regular or preemptory audio content. For each audio segment determined to include preemptory audio content, the system may direct the client computing devices to preempt, with the preemptory audio content, any current content being presented by the client computing devices. For each audio segment determined to include regular audio content, the system may identify the regular audio content, match multimedia video content with the identified regular audio content, and direct the matched multimedia video content to the client computing devices for presentation thereby to users.
Abstract:
A polyester having increased UV absorption comprising (i) a residue of a dicarboxylic acid component comprising terephthalic and from about 1 to about 20 mole % of isophthalic acid, (ii) a residue of a glycol component comprising ethylene glycol, and (iii) from about 0.01 mole % to about 15 mole % of a residue of an aromatic diol derivative, wherein the aromatic diol derivative has a least two polyester reactive groups that are capable of participating in a polyester-forming reaction and the total mole % for components (i), (ii) and (iii) is 200 mole %.
Abstract:
A prosthetic foot having an adjustable height heel includes a frame portion with an ankle link pivotally supported on the frame portion at a first pivot axis. A detent rod is pivotally connected to the ankle at a second pivot axis, and a detent member is pivotally affixed to the frame portion at a third pivot axis. The detent member is selectively operable to receive and releasably retain a length of the detent rod therein so that the length of the detent rod extending between the second and third pivot axes may be selectably adjusted. When the length of the rod is so adjusted, the angular relationship of the frame portion and the ankle link is changed thereby changing the heel height of the foot. The detent mechanism may be activated by various means including fluidic means, mechanical means, electromechanical means, and the like.
Abstract:
A prosthetic foot having an adjustable height heel includes a frame portion with an ankle link pivotally supported on the frame portion at a first pivot axis. A detent rod is pivotally connected to the ankle at a second pivot axis, and a detent member is pivotally affixed to the frame portion at a third pivot axis. The detent member is selectively operable to receive and releasably retain a length of the detent rod therein so that the length of the detent rod extending between the second and third pivot axes may be selectably adjusted. When the length of the rod is so adjusted, the angular relationship of the frame portion and the ankle link is changed thereby changing the heel height of the foot. The detent mechanism may be activated by various means including fluidic means, mechanical means, electromechanical means, and the like.
Abstract:
An apparatus for depolymerizing recycled polyester into its component ester monomers and half esters includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from liquefied separator products.
Abstract:
A safety jump training apparatus designed for safely mounting on a wall to permit an athlete to safely measure their vertical leap. The safety jump training apparatus includes a jump measurement device and a rotating support to rotably attach the measurement device to a mounting plate, as well as numerous safety features. The safety features include cooperating locking pin recesses and a locking pin to secure the apparatus in either an operating position or a storage position, a lock to adjustably secure the vertical height of the measurement device, a translation resistor to control the movement of the measurement device when the lock is disengaged, a safety position limiter to ensure that the measurement device is always a predetermined distance above the ground, and a safety cover to safely contain majority of the apparatus.