A valve assembly (10) is to be used in conjunction with a tubular member having an internal surface surrounding a passage into which the valve assembly is to be sealingly inserted. The valve assembly includes a tubular body (25) having a longitudinal passage and an outer surface to be located adjacent the internal surface. A seal (29) is mounted on the outer surface to engage the internal surface to sealingly connect the tubular body with the tubular member. A movable valve member (33) is movable between an open position providing for the flow of water from an upstream end to a downstream end of the passage of the tubular body and a closed position closing the passage. Resilient means, such as a spring (34) urges the valve member to the closed position. The resilient means is configured to provide for displacement of the valve member toward the open position when pressure beyond a predetermined pressure is applied upon the movable valve member.

To provide an opening degree detection device for an automatically operated valve which is easily assembled into an automatically operated valve, makes it easy to ensure detection accuracy at the time of assembling the opening degree detection device, and is easily applicable to an existing automatically operated valve. The opening degree detection device includes: a base plate 4 which is detachably mounted on an automatically operated valve 2; a displacement sensor 5; and a target 6 having an inclined detection surface 6a which is detected by the displacement sensor 5. The target 6 is fixed to the base plate 4. The displacement sensor 5 is supported on a valve stem 14 by way of a sensor support member 21, and the sensor support member 21 is supported on the base plate 4 by way of a guide means.

A method of fabricating a mechanical member for aircraft, including a plurality of operations of braiding and depositing layers of braided reinforcing fibers on a mandrel (11) by using braiding machine. Each operation comprises braiding a braided layer and depositing it by moving the mandrel (11) along a central axis of the braiding machine. Each of the various superposed braided layers comprises both longitudinal fibers (12, 12G) that are parallel to a main direction of the mandrel (11), and interlacing fibers that are inclined. At least one operation is configured to form and deposit a braided layer having, in at least one cross-section of the member, a density of longitudinal fibers that differs depending on whether consideration is given to one angular region (S1) or another angular region (S2) of the same extent around the center of gravity (G) of the mandrel (11) in the section under consideration.

Methods of forming a structure for treating a vessel include providing a mandrel and braiding a plurality of filaments around the mandrel. The mandrel may include a strand having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of balls coupled to the strand along the longitudinal axis. Pairs of the plurality of balls may be spaced along the longitudinal axis. Braiding the plurality of filaments around the mandrel may include, during braiding, forming a plurality of bulbs around the plurality of balls and forming necks between pairs of the plurality of balls. The methods may include, after braiding the plurality of filaments, heat treating (e.g., shape setting) the plurality of filaments on the mandrel. Portions of the braided plurality of filaments may be secured to the mandrel, for example using bangles, wire, and/or adhesive.

A mandrel for manufacturing a vascular device for treating a vessel includes an elongate strand and a plurality of bulbs coupled to the elongate strand. The elongate strand may extend through each of the plurality of bulbs. The mandrel may include first and second elongate strands each including a plurality of bulbs. The first and second elongate strands may be separable at an intermediate portion coupling the first and second elongate strands. A vascular device manufactured utilizing the mandrel may be configured to treat a vessel.

The invention relates to a medical implant, particularly a stent, having a wall (11) braided out of multiple wires (10a, 10b) said wall extending along a longitudinal axis L and curving around the longitudinal axis L at least in sections, wherein in each case at least two wire ends (12) of the wires (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) are connected to at least two first braid ends (13a, 13b) forming a first circumferential section (16a) of the wall (11) extending around the longitudinal axis L. The invention is characterised in that in each case at least two first braid ends (13a, 13b) are connected to one or more second braid ends (14a, 14b), wherein the second braid ends (14a, 14b) form a second circumferential section (16b) of the wall (11) extending around the longitudinal axis L and following the first circumferential section (16a) in sequence in the longitudinal direction or the second braid ends (14a, 14b) are arranged in the circumferential direction U of the wall (11).

An electrical device not only controls train signals as trains advance, but also alters the voltage in the tracks leading up to the signals so that the trains will actually stop at a red signal, slow at an amber aspect and continue on at full speed when the signal is showing green. The electrical device of the present invention can change the “block signal” from “green” to “red”, thereby signaling the engineer behind the train to come to a stop. In addition, the electrical device can simultaneously change the voltage in the tracks to stop the approaching train at the red signal. Only when the forward train has cleared will the approaching train get a clear signal and voltage to resume its forward progress.

A system and method for interactively producing a 3D representation of a vector graphic is disclosed. A vector graphic representing a 2D graphic having a number of endpoints joined by vector segments is automatically or interactively converted into a triangulated mesh in a form readable by a 3D printer. The conversion from vector graphic to a triangulated mesh is accomplished by generating an n-sided polygon in the vicinity of each endpoint of the vector graphic. Each of the vertices of the polygon are then be joined by a line to a corresponding vertex on the next adjacent polygon. Each vertex is also joined to an adjacent vertex on the next adjacent polygon. The process is continued until all polygons are joined, resulting in a triangulated mesh, which is then converted into a format readable by a 3D printer and sent to a 3D printer to produce the 3D representation.

A method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system. The system comprises at least one sensor for providing trackside conditions electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad, said sensor being powered by voltage applied to the circuit such that the sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The system and method further comprises a method and system which is failsafe and which enables the control system to independently verify signals from each sensor.

A locomotive warning system includes an acoustical warning subsystem configured to emit variably directed sound. A controller subsystem is responsive to an initiation command and is configured to trigger the acoustical warning subsystem to begin a sounding sequence when the initiation command is received at a first directivity angle and to continue the sound blast sequence at increasing directivity angles for a pre-establish time and/or distance traveled.

A system and method for determining dynamically changing distributions of vehicles in a vehicle system are disclosed. The system and method determine handling parameters of the vehicle system. The handling parameters are determined for different distributions of the vehicles among different groups at different potential change points along a route. The system and method also determine whether to change the distributions at potential change points based on the handling parameters. Based on determining that the distributions are to change, a selected sequence of changes to the distributions is determined at one or more of the potential change points along the route. Change indices are generated based on the selected sequence. The change indices designate times and/or the one or more potential change points at which the distributions changes. The vehicles included in a common group have common designated operational settings while the vehicles are in the common group.

The invention describes a regulating device that adapts to the aerodynamic profile of a mold bed made of composite material offsetting the geometrical deviations occurring in the mold bed. The device comprises some stiffening ribs (20) supported on a surface of the bed (10) of the mold and is equipped with actuators (21) that modify the curvature of the bed (10) of the mold.

An optical lens mold includes a mold body, a magnetic fluid, a plurality of thermocouples, a plurality of electromagnets, a controlling unit and a power source. The mold body defines a plurality of injection chambers and a cooling channel surrounding the plurality of injection chambers. The magnetic fluid contains magnetic particles and flows in the cooling channel. The thermocouples are capable of sensing temperatures of the plurality of injection chambers correspondingly. The electromagnets are positioned above the cooling channel corresponding to the plurality of thermocouples. The plurality of thermocouples and the plurality of electromagnets are connected to the controlling unit via the power source, the controlling unit is capable of the comparing the standard temperature value with temperature values sensed by the plurality of thermocouples, and maintaining the temperature of the plurality of injection chambers in a normal state.

A sight and range finder for a projectile launching device are disclosed. The range finder calculates a range between a target and a projectile launching device, and transmits a signal indicative of the range. The sight visually aligns the target with the projectile launching device. A drive assembly moves an alignment member of the sight, and at least one processor receives the signal and actuates the drive assembly to move the alignment portion a selected distance based on the range.

An adjustable mechanical vibration limiting and absorbing device for an archery bow including a hollow housing and two groups of elastomer washers provided in the hollow housing with a means for preventing the first group from advancing out of the hollow housing and separating the first group from the second group. In addition, a fastener extends through the center of the first and second groups of elastomer washers and a lock nut and weight are provided on the projecting end of the fastener.

Interfaces for electrical (e.g., lighting) devices involve use of electrically conductive edge contacts arranged on or protruding from edges of printed circuit boards (PCBs) that provide or facilitate electrical connections to first and second externally accessible electrical contacts, such as may include threaded and foot contacts of a lighting device including a screw-shaped male base. First and/or second edge contacts of a PCB may protrude through first and second openings in a housing to form first and second externally accessible contact, or directly engage first and second externally accessible contact elements associated with (e.g., retained by) the housing. A contact element retained by a housing may define a slot in the interior of the housing to directly engage an edge contact of the PCB. Electric power is supplied to the PCB via edge contacts without need for intervening wires or soldered connections.

Magnetically adjusting color-converting particles within a matrix and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A magnetic-adjustment process can include applying a magnetic field to a mixture including a non-solid matrix and a plurality of color-converting particles (e.g. magnetically anisotropic color-converting particles). The magnetic field can cause the plurality of color-converting particles to move into a generally non-random alignment (e.g., a generally non-random magnetic alignment and/or a generally non-random shape alignment) within the non-solid matrix. The non-solid matrix then can be solidified to form a solid matrix. A magnetic-adjustment process can be performed in conjunction with testing and/or product binning of solid-state radiation transducer devices. For example, a position, direction, strength, or duration of a magnetic field used to perform a magnetic-adjustment process can be controlled according to optical output collected from a solid-state radiation transducer device. Measuring the optical output and performing the magnetic-adjustment process can be at least partially concurrent.

A dispenser system for delivering various combinations of dispersants to a body of water with the various combinations of dispersants supplied to the body of water through the interchanging of dispensing cartridges which are attachable to a main dispensing cartridge where a condition for interchanging of dispensing cartridges may be triggered by an event.

A ride system for giving passengers a flying roller coaster experience. The ride system includes a train of vehicles, with each of the vehicles including seat assemblies that each has a seat and seat back for receiving a passenger. The vehicles are supported by the track to roll along a length of the track, and the ride path is adapted for gravity-based movement of the train of vehicles in at least portions of the ride path. The track includes a vertical segment, and the ride system includes a station including a platform assembly with horizontal platforms vertically spaced-apart to provide multi-level loading. The train is positioned on the vertical segment with each of the vehicles proximate to an end of one of the horizontal platforms. The seat backs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track to provide vertical loading and, then, vertical launching from the station.

A coin dispensing apparatus has a cabinet serving as an apparatus housing for the apparatus. The apparatus has a control means for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus further has a module for receiving, optionally validating and optionally sorting coins of different types and at least one dispenser for coins to be dispensed. The apparatus also comprises a filling compartment comprising a plurality of dispense locations. Each dispense location is adapted for receiving a portable coin receptacle for collecting dispensed coins from a specific dispenser. The apparatus is adapted to dispense a specific amount of coins under control of said control means to at least one portable coin receptacle at a specific dispense location in said filling compartment. The control means is adapted to only start the dispense operation at said specific dispense location if a portable coin receptacle is present at the location.

A spherical annular seal member 40 includes: a spherical annular base member 38 which is defined by a cylindrical inner surface 34 defining a through hole 33 in a central portion, a partially convex spherical surface 35, and annular end faces 36 and 37 on large- and small-diameter sides of the partially convex spherical surface 35; and an outer layer 39 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 35 of the spherical annular base member 38.

The invention relates to a loudspeaker mounting and adjustment system and method for installing and operating a professional audio system used in a stadium, concert hall or the like. The system comprises a vertical array of loudspeaker cabinets that can be suspended from a ceiling and that enables the horizontal and vertical angle of the sound dispersion field to be adjusted remotely and/or automatically while the system is suspended. Each loudspeaker cabinet is connected to a vertically adjacent loudspeaker cabinet via a pair of levers located on either side of the cabinet that control the angle between adjacent loudspeaker cabinets. A linear actuator is connected to each lever for controlling the lever position. Each loudspeaker cabinet also comprises a waveguide with at least one actuator for modifying the waveguide angle and thus the horizontal angle of the sound dispersion field.

A system and method for monitoring and mitigating leakage currents is disclosed. The data acquisition system records data from multiple monitoring locations over extended periods of time to identify stray voltage and/or leakage currents present at the monitoring location. The data is processed to identify trends in the stray voltage and/or leakage currents and to suggest methods for mitigating the same.

A Vertically Integrated Aquaculture System for producing high quality consumer seafood products at a significantly reduced cost. The Vertically Integrated Aquaculture System includes at least one aquaculture grow-out module for containing an aquaculture species, a feed handling system for distributing feed to the aquaculture species located in the aquaculture grow-out module(s), an aquaculture species moving system for routing the aquaculture species at least out of the aquaculture grow-out module(s), and a processing system for processing the aquaculture species after harvesting from the aquaculture grow-out module(s).

A protective coating solution, liquid, gel, or film and a method of using such a material to provide a sterile covering for fingers, hands, arms or other selected skin surface for use as a glove substitute.

A method for disposing electrical and electronic equipment comprising plastic and metal components, the method comprising: melt processing the equipment and/or comminuted parts thereof to form a melt processed product; transferring the melt processed product into a vessel and heating the product using far infrared radiation such that it liberates volatile hydrocarbons and leaves behind non-volatile residue comprising metal; and collecting one or both of the volatile hydrocarbons and the non-volatile residue for subsequent use.

A method for producing individual compacts made of coke and suitable for coke oven chambers by dividing a coal cake in a non-mechanical manner, wherein the coal cake is produced by a compression method according to the prior art and the coal cake is divided by non-mechanical, energy-supplying media, and the non-mechanical media supplying shearing energy are, for example, a laser beam, a high-pressure water jet, an abrasive-solid jet, an ultrasonic beam, a compressed-air jet, or a gas jet. By using the method, coal compacts can be produced from coal cakes without forming dust, without wearing out cutting tools, and with high precision.

Provided are a data structure including a header area, and a payload area comprising data, a method of generating the data structure, and extracting information from the data structure. At least one of the header area and the payload area includes at least one sub-area in which one or more signal fields are included. At least one signal field among the signal fields includes information for signalling presence or absence of one or more information fields located at least partly in the data structure, the one or more information fields corresponding to the one or more signal fields.

Provided are video encoding and decoding methods and apparatuses. The video encoding method includes: encoding a video based on data units having a hierarchical structure; determining a context model used for entropy encoding a syntax element of a data unit based on at least one piece of additional information of the data units; and entropy encoding the syntax element by using the determined context model.

A system constructs an optical flow field that corresponds with a selected video frame. The optical flow field is constructed based on a first motion of a mobile platform having an imaging device and a status of the imaging device. The first motion and the status are determined with measurements of sensors installed on the mobile platform and/or the imaging device installed on the mobile platform. The first motion includes at least one of a first rotation, a horizontal movement, or a vertical movement of the mobile platform. The status includes a rotation of the imaging device and/or an orientation of the imaging device relative to the mobile platform.

A system and method of producing fluid from a wellbore by pressurizing the fluid and then directing the pressurized fluid to a centrifugal pump. Pressurizing the fluid compresses gas or vapor within the fluid, thereby decreasing the volume ratio of the gas or vapor within the fluid, which in turn increases operating efficiency of the centrifugal pump. A positive displacement pump, such as a gerotor pump, is used for pressurizing the fluid prior to sending it to the centrifugal pump.

A control valve for an air conditioning compressor is disclosed. The control valve comprises a control piston, an electric motor, a sensor, and a control unit. The control piston connects a refrigerant flow between a high-pressure area and a crankcase pressure area of the air conditioning compressor in a first position. The control piston further connects the refrigerant flow between the crankcase pressure area and a low-pressure area of the air conditioning compressor in a second position. The electric motor moves the control piston between the first position and the second position. The sensor determines the position of the control piston. The control unit is connected to the sensor and the electric motor. The control unit controls the electric motor to move the control piston and control the refrigerant flow based on the position of the control piston determined by the sensor.

A pump system (120) has a central pump unit (110), with which at least one hook-up unit (130). The least one hook-up unit (130) is from a group of a plurality of hook-up units (130) that can be combined in modular form for setting an operating point of a pump (10) that forms the pump unit (110). A method uses such a hook-up unit (130) in a pump system (120) for setting an operating point of the pump unit (110) thereof. A medical device is provided with such a pump unit (110) or with such a pump unit (110) and at least one hook-up unit (130) combined with the pump unit (110).

A tool is provided for moving a first clamping or gripping member toward or away from a second facing clamping or gripping member, the tool having a double threaded drive shaft coupled to opposed threaded linkage driving members for causing the threaded linkage driving members to be driven toward or away from each other. As the threaded linkage driving members move closer, the resulting angle of the links becomes steeper, thus increasing the mechanical advantage of the clamping tool, enhancing clamping forces. A beneficial result is a clamping apparatus that requires less manual energy than a traditional clamp. Another beneficial result is provided if the same amount of energy is applied to the driveshaft as in a traditional clamp, the resulting clamping force is significantly higher. If the second clamping member is adjustable, it accommodates wide variations in thickness of an object positioned between the first and second clamping members.

A strip die is prepared with cutouts according to a pre-determined pattern, e.g., on a cutting table and positioned on a stripping station that has a removal tool to remove waste material. After a sheet of material is cut on the same or another cutting table, the sheet is positioned in the stripping station over the female strip die. The removal tool moves to programmed positions in the stripping station and removes pieces of waste material. The final stripped cut sheet is the brought to the out-stack.

A process is disclosed for converting biomass to fuels and/or valuable chemicals. The process comprises the steps of a) activating biomass to make it more susceptible to conversion; c) partially converting the biomass to a solubilized material; and d) subjecting the unconverted biomass to a second conversion step. The process optionally comprises a step b) of adding a solvent to the activated biomass. In a preferred embodiment the solubilized biomass obtained in step c) is removed before the unconverted biomass is subjected to step d).

A web product having at least two plies is disclosed. One of the at least two plies has a continuous pillow area disposed upon a surface thereof. A first portion of the continuous pillow area has a first width, W1, and a length, L1, and a second portion of the continuous pillow area in contacting engagement and in fluid communication with the first portion has a second width, W2, and a length, L2, wherein, W1≠W2 and L1=L2. The web product has a Basis Weight, BW, value greater than 51.6 gsm and a Dry Bulk, DB, value greater than 15.5 cc/g.

The disclosure provides a dispersion for making décor paper having improved optical performance without negatively impacting mechanical strength comprising a TiO2 particle slurry comprising a treated TiO2 particle having a surface area of at least about 30 m2/g, and a cationic polymer; wherein the treatment comprises an oxide of silicon, aluminum, phosphorus or mixtures thereof; and the treatment is present in the amount of at least 15% based on the total weight of the treated titanium dioxide particle; paper pulp; and a cationic polymer; wherein the cationic polymer in the slurry and the cationic polymer in the dispersion are compatible; wherein for equal optical performance, the amount of treated TiO2 particle in the dispersion is reduced by about 10% when compared to a dispersion not comprising the treated TiO2 particle of (a). These dispersions are useful in making décor paper that may be used in paper laminates.

A method for mixing a chemical into a process liquid including: injecting the chemical into the process liquid flowing through a flow pipe; forming reaction products by a reaction involving the chemical occurring in the process flow; applying an electric field or magnetic field to a region of the flow pipe adjacent to the reaction occurring in the process flow, and suppressing the precipitation of the chemical or the reaction products on the surfaces of the pipe due to the electric or magnetic field.

A web product having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction orthogonal thereto is disclosed. The web product has at least one ply having a first plurality of pillow regions having a first total area in the machine and cross-machine directions and a second plurality of pillow regions having a second total area in the machine and cross-machine directions where the first and second total areas have a different value. The web product has a Dry Bulk, DB, value greater than 15.5 cc/g and a Total Tensile Strength, TT, value greater than 2000 g/25.4 mm.

A comparison system includes a memory including a first compiled version and a second compiled version of a target application, at least one processor, and a comparison engine, executing on the at least one processor. The comparison engine is configured to identify a method in the first compiled version, locate the method in the second compiled version, compare the method in the first compiled version to the method in the second compiled version, and providing an indication that the method is an altered method from the first compiled version to the second compiled version of the target application.

Dynamically identifying performance anti-patterns in a software system is based on a set of documented symptoms that are evaluated in real-time. The evaluation is based on the observed system behavior and its comparison against the documented symptoms of different types of performance issues.

System and method for dynamically composing an integrated open source stack are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a stack specification. The method further comprises extracting a list of products from an open source product repository based on the stack specification and determining a product strength value for each product present in the list of product. The method further comprises generating one or more stack options comprising at least one of the products based on the product strength value and determining a stack strength value for each of the one or more stack options based on the product strength value and the user requirements. The method further comprises selecting a stack from the one or more stack options as the integrated open source stack and composing the integrated open source stack based on at least one of product metadata, adaptor metadata, or product scripts.

Asymmetrical formatting of word spaces according to the uncertainty between words includes an initial filtering process and subsequent text formatting process. An equivocation filter generates a mapping of keys and values (output) from a corpus or word sequence frequency data (input). Text formatting process for asymmetrically adjusts the width of spaces adjacent to keys using the values. The filtering process, which generates a mapping of keys and values can be performed once to analyze a corpus and once generated, the key-value mapping can be used multiple times by a subsequent text processing process.

Systems and methods for managing a collaborative environment are provided. A plurality of sheets is stored in a collaboration system. The collaboration system tracks user interactions with the plurality of sheets and generates a collaboration graph based on the interactions. The collaboration graph is analyzed to determine similarities between the sheets and/or the users. One or more visualizations are generated based on the collaboration graph and the determined similarities. In some embodiments, the collaboration system is able to provide project management information even for dynamic workflows that are not explicitly defined.

Various embodiments of systems, computer program products, and methods for dynamically designing webpages are described herein. In an aspect, a request for designing a webpage may be received. Based upon the request, a metadata related to the webpage may be identified. Based upon the identified metadata, one or more widgets for designing the webpage may be rendered. A selection of a widget from the one or more widgets may be received from a user. Multiple sections of the webpage and the widgets positioned in corresponding sections may be identified. The identified widgets of the webpage may be integrated with one or more security rules.

Computer implemented systems and methods are provided for generating a predictive graphical user interface. In some embodiments, a system for generating a predictive graphical user interface may comprise at least one processor configured to receive real-time and historical data associated with utilization of a facility. The at least one processor may be configured to generate, based on the real-time and historical data, instructions to display a user interface depicting a first representation of utilization of the facility at a first time. The at least one processor may be configured to receive a request to display a second representation of utilization of the facility, the request including a selection of a second time, and generate, based on the real-time and historical data, instructions to display, within the interface, a second representation of utilization of the facility, the second representation reflecting utilization at the second time, wherein the second time is a future time relative to the first time.

A lock assembly (10) including a plug (12) having a keyway (14) for inserting therein a key (16), and a movable element (18) movingly disposed in the plug (12), the movable element (18) being divided into at least two separate magnetic portions (20, 22) arranged to move relative to one another and having identical magnetic polarity, wherein the magnetic portions (20, 22) are sufficiently near one another such that one of the magnetic portions (20, 22) applies a magnetic repelling force on the other magnetic portion (20, 22).

A guarded surgical knife handle includes a handle portion with a blade holder, a chamber within the handle portion, and a slot. The guarded surgical knife handle also includes a guard having an open distal end slidably mounted within the handle portion that can slide longitudinally between an unguarded position and a guarded position. The guard is sized to surround the blade in the guarded position. The guarded surgical knife handle also includes a latch that latches the guard when the guard is slid into the guarded position and a first button that disengages the latch. The guarded surgical knife handle includes a bias member that forces the guard in a proximal direction to an unguarded position when the latch is disengaged along with a second button extending through the slot used to slide the guard in a distal direction into the guarded position.

An exemplary surgical probe and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary surgical probe may include a tubular body and a scissor assembly received at least partially within the body. The scissor assembly may include a first blade fixed to the tubular body that includes a body portion and an end portion. The scissor assembly may further include a second blade that is configured to move longitudinally within the tubular body. The body portions of the first and second blades may each define respective cross sections normal to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The cross sections may each define centrally disposed edges adjacent one another, and the cross sections may each be asymmetrical about a line substantially parallel to the centrally disposed edges.