Abstract:
Various system embodiments of the present invention are directed to an automated concierge system through which users of the automated concierge system can request and obtain many types of information and services. Unlike traditional search engines and electronic query-processing interfaces, the automated concierge systems provide much greater flexibility with respect to means of access, including types of electronic devices and communications media that can be used to access the concierge services, greater flexibility in the timing of responses to information and service requests, more efficient information and service provision, and access to a much broader range of information sources and service providers. The automated concierge systems that represent embodiments of the present invention provide state-associated searches, in contrast to the stateless searches generally provided by search engines and many electronic query-processing interfaces, and employ a generally asynchronous message-based interface, rather than the rigid request/response interfaces provided by traditional search engines and other electronic query-processing systems.
Abstract:
Various system embodiments of the present invention are directed to an automated concierge system through which users of the automated concierge system can request and obtain many types of information and services. Unlike traditional search engines and electronic query-processing interfaces, the automated concierge systems provide much greater flexibility with respect to means of access, including types of electronic devices and communications media that can be used to access the concierge services, greater flexibility in the timing of responses to information and service requests, more efficient information and service provision, and access to a much broader range of information sources and service providers. The automated concierge systems that represent embodiments of the present invention provide state-associated searches, in contrast to the stateless searches generally provided by search engines and many electronic query-processing interfaces, and employ a generally asynchronous message-based interface, rather than the rigid request/response interfaces provided by traditional search engines and other electronic query-processing systems.
Abstract:
One aspect of the present invention is a spray gun adapted for spray-applying fiber-reinforced resins with ceramic fiber loadings of at least about 55 wt-%. Such novel spray gun has an inlet for admitting the fiber-reinforced resin; an air inlet for atomizing the fiber-reinforced resin; a catalyst inlet; and an outlet for expelling catalyzed fiber-reinforced resin from the spray gun. The spray gun also has a straight-line delivery channel in fluid communication with the resin inlet, the catalyst inlet, and the outlet. A flow actuator is provided for selectively actuating admission of the fiber-reinforced resin and the catalyst into the spray gun. The resin inlet and the catalyst inlet are disposed for admitting resin and catalyst, respectively, in line into the straight-line delivery channel. The air inlet is disposed for admitting air into the straight-line delivery channel at an acute angle with and in the direction of flow in the straight-line channel and is located after both the resin inlet and the catalyst inlet. Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for spray-applying fiber-reinforced resins with ceramic fiber loadings of at least about 55 wt-%. Such apparatus includes the novel spray gun, a tank for housing a fiber-reinforced resin; a pump for pumping fiber-reinforced resin from the resin tank to the spray gun resin inlet; a tank for housing catalyst for the resin; a pump for pumping catalyst from the catalyst tank to the spray gun catalyst inlet; and an atomizing air supply in communication with the spray gun air inlet.