Abstract: An instrumented pin sensor includes: a support body in the form of a pin having an axial cross section that is only partially circular, forming a first outer surface with a profile that follows the partially circular axial cross section, and a second outer surface with a profile that does not follow the partially circular axial cross section; a strain sensing electrical circuit having at least one strain sensing gauge, the strain sensing electrical circuit fixedly disposed on the second outer surface; a plurality of electrical leads having a first end electrically connected to the strain sensing electrical circuit and fixedly attached to the second outer surface of the support body, and a second end extending from the support body; wherein the second outer surface runs the entire length of the support body with material of the support body only on an underside of the second outer surface.

Abstract: A track tension system including a hydraulic cylinder coupled between a drive frame and idler of a track system, an accumulator and a hydraulic valve that controls flow between the cylinder and accumulator. The cylinder extends and retracts to change the distance between the drive frame and idler which increases and decreases, respectively, tension on the track system. The hydraulic valve can be opened to allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator, and closed to block flow between the cylinder and accumulator. Control factors can be monitored to control valve position. An overload pressure relief can allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed and pressure in the cylinder reaches overload pressure. An orifice can allow constricted flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed. A check valve can connect the track tension system to a vehicle hydraulic system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for distributing, delivering and collecting freight, with a number I of mobile freight stations, with I?1, each having a first interface for automatically loading freight into freight vehicles from a freight storage of the mobile freight station and for automatically unloading freight from freight vehicles into the freight storage, wherein the freight vehicles are arranged and executed for automatically loading/unloading freight via the first interface and for automatically securing/fixing freight in a storage space of the freight vehicles, the mobile freight stations each have a number ni?Ni, with i=1, . . .

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for distributing, delivering and collecting freight, with a number I of mobile freight stations, with I ?1, each having a first interface for automatically loading freight into freight vehicles from a freight storage of the mobile freight station and for automatically unloading freight from freight vehicles into the freight storage, wherein the freight vehicles are arranged and executed for automatically loading/unloading freight via the first interface and for automatically securing/fixing freight in a storage space of the freight vehicles, the mobile freight stations each have a number ni ?Ni, with i=1, . . .

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a direction of infrasound. Infrasound is received by a directional infrasound sensor comprising a plurality of channels and a plurality of sensor devices. Each channel in the plurality of channels comprises a single opening at a first end of the channel and a closed end opposite the opening. The opening of each channel in the plurality of channels is pointed in a different direction from the opening of each other channel in the plurality of channels. The plurality of sensor devices includes a sensor device at the closed end of each channel in the plurality of channels. Each sensor device in the plurality of sensor devices is configured to generate a sensor signal in response to pressure. The sensor signals generated by the plurality of sensor devices are processed to determine the direction of the infrasound received by the directional infrasound sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a direction of infrasound. Infrasound is received by a directional infrasound sensor comprising a plurality of channels and a plurality of sensor devices. Each channel in the plurality of channels comprises a single opening at a first end of the channel and a closed end opposite the opening. The opening of each channel in the plurality of channels is pointed in a different direction from the opening of each other channel in the plurality of channels. The plurality of sensor devices includes a sensor device at the closed end of each channel in the plurality of channels. Each sensor device in the plurality of sensor devices is configured to generate a sensor signal in response to pressure. The sensor signals generated by the plurality of sensor devices are processed to determine the direction of the infrasound received by the directional infrasound sensor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for distributing, delivering and collecting freight, with a number I of mobile freight stations, with I >1, each having a first interface for automatically loading freight into freight vehicles from a freight storage of the mobile freight station and for automatically unloading freight from freight vehicles into the freight storage, wherein the freight vehicles are arranged and executed for automatically loading/unloading freight via the first interface and for automatically securing/fixing freight in a storage space of the freight vehicles, the mobile freight stations each have a number ni?Ni, with i=1, . . .

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to sequential encoding for RFID tags. An encoding line transports an RFID tag from the reading zone of a first reader to the reading zone of a second reader. The first reader communicates with the tag, writes a portion of an identifier to the tag, and sends a tag write status to the second reader. The second reader, situated after the first reader, communicates with the tag, receives the tag write status from the first reader, then determines a remaining portion of the identifier to be written to the tag based on the tag write status. The second reader then attempts to write the remaining portion to the tag. If the attempt fails, the second reader initiates an error-handling procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to sequential encoding for RFID tags. An encoding line transports an RFID tag from the reading zone of a first reader to the reading zone of a second reader. The first reader communicates with the tag, writes a portion of an identifier to the tag, and sends a tag write status to the second reader. The second reader, situated after the first reader, communicates with the tag, receives the tag write status from the first reader, then determines a remaining portion of the identifier to be written to the tag based on the tag write status. The second reader then attempts to write the remaining portion to the tag. If the attempt fails, the second reader initiates an error-handling procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to sequential encoding for RFID tags. An encoding line transports an RFID tag from the reading zone of a first reader to the reading zone of a second reader. The first reader communicates with the tag, writes a portion of an identifier to the tag, and sends a tag write status to the second reader. The second reader, situated after the first reader, communicates with the tag, receives the tag write status from the first reader, then determines a remaining portion of the identifier to be written to the tag based on the tag write status. The second reader then attempts to write the remaining portion to the tag. If the attempt fails, the second reader initiates an error-handling procedure.

Abstract: Alkoxysilanes are prepared by a process which uses microwave or RF energy. Thus, silicon metal and a copper catalyst are exposed to microwave radiation in the presence of an appropriate hydroxy compound, such as, an alcohol, and a catalyst, to yield the corresponding trialkoxysilane. The desired alkoxysilanes are prepared with high selectivity and at lower temperatures and shorter times than traditional approaches allow.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide virtual reality tools used to develop improved infection control solutions. The virtual reality tools may be applied to a variety of health care environments to develop improved infection control solutions, including improved training systems for modifying human behavior regarding hand washing (or other infection control behaviors), improved systems for evaluating the effectiveness of a proposed infection control solution, and for a producer/seller of anti-microbial products to demonstrate the superiority of one product over another or the superiority of one proposed solution over another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide virtual reality tools and simulations used for improved health care customer management. The virtual reality tools may be used by a product manufacturer or seller to assist in relationship management with health care partners including identifying improved solutions for a variety of problems, strengthening infection prevention processes and systems, improving order and flow in the operating room and other care-delivery environments, identifying benefits from new products, providing techniques for evaluating new health care systems and processes, etc.

Abstract: Alkoxysilanes are prepared by a process which uses microwave or RF energy. Thus, silicon metal and a copper catalyst are exposed to microwave radiation in the presence of an appropriate hydroxy compound, such as, an alcohol, and a catalyst, to yield the corresponding trialkoxysilane. The desired alkoxysilanes are prepared with high selectivity and at lower temperatures and shorter times than traditional approaches allow.

Abstract: A process for reducing the oil content of oil-containing articles, such as food products. The food products are placed in contact with subcritical liquid carbon dioxide for a period of time sufficient to extract a predetermined amount of oil. The predetermined amount of oil to be extracted is within the range of about 5 percent to about 90 percent of the original oil content of the oil-containing article, in addition ranging from about 5 percent to about 75 percent of the original oil content of the oil-containing article, and further in addition ranging from about 5 percent to about 50 percent of the original oil content of the oil-containing article. The extracted oil optionally may be separated from the liquid carbon dioxide. The separated oil may be reused in the manufacture or processing of the oil-containing article, and the separated liquid carbon dioxide may be reused in the extraction process.