Abstract: An improved exhaust system and method for an apparatus that removes support material from additively manufactured parts is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosed chamber in which the additively manufactured parts are placed. A heated detergent fluid is sprayed at the additively manufactured parts. The improved exhaust system exhausts heated air from the chamber. The improved exhaust system includes an exhaust channel having an inlet end open to the chamber through which heated air from the chamber is caused to flow. Relatively cooler air is caused to flow across the outside of the exhaust channel. When the heated air from the chamber encounters the exhaust channel across which the relatively cooler air is caused to flow, evaporated fluids in the heated air condense and fall back into the chamber. The improved exhaust system can be retrofitted onto older models of the support removal apparatus that do not have the improved exhaust system.

Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.

Abstract: Compositions or finishing solutions configured to remove unwanted material, such as uncured resin and ceramic filler, from surfaces of additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. The finishing solutions may be configured to remove such uncured resin and ceramic filler through submersion of the object in the finishing solution and agitating the submerged object at an ultrasonic frequency, without subjecting the object to any subsequent mechanical acts (such as brushing, sanding, or bead blasting) to remove any remaining uncured resin and/or ceramic filler from the object. In one example, the finishing solution includes a first glycol ether and a second glycol ether and/or a high flash point hydrocarbon, wherein the finishing solution has a flash point of at least 93.3° C. In alternative examples, the finishing solution may also include a third glycol ether, a high flash point alcohol, and/or an acetate of a glycol ether.

Abstract: Compositions or finishing solutions configured to remove unwanted material, such as uncured material or resin, from additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein, in one example, the finishing solution includes a first glycol ether and a second glycol ether and/or a high flash point hydrocarbon, wherein the finishing solution has a flash point of at least 93.3° C. In alternative examples, the finishing solution may also include a third glycol ether, a high flash point alcohol, and/or an acetate of a glycol ether.

Abstract: A portable detection system (10) for hazardous materials including explosives and infectious or hazardous biological agents readily adapted to conventional mail collection boxes (12), rural mailboxes (100), mailbags (40), and the like. The system includes a fan (14) and a sensor (16). The fan (14) provides sufficient airflow to circulate the air within a mailbox such that the internal air after coming in contact with the contents is directed the sensor for analysis. The air quality can be determined visually (137), audibly (138), or electronically (139). Consequently once such detection is made and the air is verified as being safe, the contents can be removed safely. If it is determined that the air contains some type of hazardous material, further steps can be taken to specifically locate the source of such hazardous material. An alternative embodiment includes a filter (15) to improve fan efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an AGC function by using multiple feedback sources which provide both narrow band and wide band AGC signals in an adaptive manner. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner operative to generate first and second IF signals. A first demodulator is operative to generate a first AGC signal responsive to the first IF signal. A second demodulator is operative to generate a second AGC signal responsive to the second IF signal. A wide band AGC detector is operative to generate a third AGC signal responsive to at least one of the first and second IF signals. A switch is operative to selectively provide one of the first, second and third AGC signals to the tuner responsive to a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver employs an efficient and cost-effective signal processing architecture which enables, among other things, the reception and processing of both analog and digital signals from multiple signal sources, such as but not limited to, terrestrial and cable signal sources. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a first tuner operative to generate a first IF signal corresponding to a first RF signal. A first demodulator is operative to generate a first demodulated signal corresponding to the first IF signal. A second tuner is operative to generate a second IF signal corresponding to a second RF signal. A second demodulator is operative to generate a second demodulated signal corresponding to the second IF signal. A third demodulator is operative to generate a third demodulated signal corresponding to one of the first and second IF signals.

Abstract: A tuning apparatus compensates for temperature-related frequency variations of a filter. According to an exemplary embodiment, the tuning apparatus includes an RF signal source, a tuner, and the filter. The tuner includes a local oscillator and is coupled between the RF signal source and the filter and provides an IF signal for the filter. The tuner also includes a frequency adjustment mechanism for adjusting the frequency of the local oscillator in response to a temperature characteristic of the filter.

Abstract: A pet grooming aid comprises a flexible, elongate handle coupled to a head bearing rigid tines adapted to reach through a pet's fur to its skin. The handle includes a reservoir for treatment fluids, the reservoir being coupled through a gate valve to a manifold within the head that distributes the fluid to a tube within each tine. Squeezing the handle forces treatment fluid through the manifold and tines onto the pet's skin, while the gate valve prevents fluid flow when the handle is not squeezed. A recharge nozzle and cap at on the handle opposite the head allows filling the reservoir without spilling fluid out the tines, and seals the reservoir for use.