Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently and accurately connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector having a plurality of connector pins with corresponding wire receptacles. The system generally includes a housing, a removable alignment plate, a robotic positioner, a heating device, a touch responsive display, and a control unit. The alignment plate removably holds a selected electrical connector in a specific position and orientation with the connector pins exposed in the housing and the wire receptacles exposed outside. The display provides a visual representation of the connector pins and selections of the connector pins. The control unit receives inputs indicating the pin selections and controls the robotic positioner to sequentially move the heating device along three orthogonal longitudinal axes to a series of heating positions relative to the selected connector pins to provide heat for melting solder to connect wires to the wire receptacles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an aquaculture environment control system comprising one or more control apparatuses positioned within a vessel at an angle relative to a proximal vessel wall and configured for scouring of the vessel, wherein each control apparatus has a discharge conduit and each discharge conduit has one or more orifices; and a fluid source in fluid communication with each of the control apparatuses. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of controlling an aquaculture environment comprising supplying one or more of a fluid and gas to a control apparatus positioned within a vessel at an angle relative to a proximal vessel wall; and discharging one or more of the fluid and gas from the control apparatus at a fluid velocity sufficient for scouring of the vessel.

Abstract: A preformed solder-in-pin system for use with electrical connectors. The preformed solder-in-pin system generally includes a connector pin having an open cavity at one end, into which a preformed solder member can be first inserted and then pressed, rather than melted, in place, such that voids and air spaces within the cavity are eliminated. The preformed solder-in-pin system can be assembled in high quantities, where the preformed solder members are placed in a fixture and the fixture is placed on a shaker table, so that large numbers of connector pins, pre-installed in connector grommets, can be inserted largely simultaneously.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an aquaculture environment control system comprising one or more control apparatuses positioned within a vessel at an angle relative to a proximal vessel wall and configured for scouring of the vessel, wherein each control apparatus has a discharge conduit and each discharge conduit has one or more orifices; and a fluid source in fluid communication with each of the control apparatuses. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of controlling an aquaculture environment comprising supplying one or more of a fluid and gas to a control apparatus positioned within a vessel at an angle relative to a proximal vessel wall; and discharging one or more of the fluid and gas from the control apparatus at a fluid velocity sufficient for scouring of the vessel.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an aquaculture environment control system comprising one or more control apparatuses positioned within a vessel at an angle relative to a proximal vessel wall and configured for scouring of the vessel, wherein each control apparatus has a discharge conduit and each discharge conduit has one or more orifices; and a fluid source in fluid communication with each of the control apparatuses. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of controlling an aquaculture environment comprising supplying one or more of a fluid and gas to a control apparatus positioned within a vessel at an angle relative to a proximal vessel wall; and discharging one or more of the fluid and gas from the control apparatus at a fluid velocity sufficient for scouring of the vessel.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: An aquaculture environment control system comprising a plurality of discharge conduits positioned in a vessel, the discharge conduits including one or more orifices; a fluid source in fluid communication with the plurality of discharge conduits; a gas supply source in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of discharge conduits; wherein discharging fluid from the plurality of discharge conduits into the vessel creates or maintains a current throughout fluid present within the vessel. A method of controlling an aquaculture environment comprising supplying one or more of a fluid and a gas to a plurality of discharge conduits positioned in a vessel; and discharging the one or more of the fluid and the gas from at least one of the plurality of discharge conduits to the vessel, the discharging creating or maintaining a current within the vessel.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector. The robotic wire termination system generally includes a frame, a connector support attached to the frame, a robot manipulator having at least one arm, a heating device attached to the at least one arm and a control unit in communication with the robot manipulator to control the operation of the robot manipulator. The arm of the robot manipulator is adapted to move the heating device so that the heating device can apply heat to a selected connector pin of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A magnetic latching connector for making electrical connections between cables, electrical power and signal sources, equipment and the like in a variety of medical and other applications in which it is desired to have the connection maintained with a predetermined amount of magnetic attractive force. The magnetic latching connector generally includes male and female connector components. The male and female connector components comprise male and female couplings and male and female coupling housings. The male and female coupling housings enclose electrical connections between the male and female couplings and electrical cables. Recessed within the male and female couplings are electrically conductive pins and sockets and male and female magnetic latching elements. When the male and female connector components are coupled, the pins and sockets provide electrical connections and the recessed magnetic latching elements provide a predetermined magnetic attraction force to maintain the connections.

Abstract: An aquaculture environment control system comprising a plurality of discharge conduits positioned in a vessel, the discharge conduits including one or more orifices; a fluid source in fluid communication with the plurality of discharge conduits; a gas supply source in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of discharge conduits; wherein discharging fluid from the plurality of discharge conduits into the vessel creates or maintains a current throughout fluid present within the vessel. A method of controlling an aquaculture environment comprising supplying one or more of a fluid and a gas to a plurality of discharge conduits positioned in a vessel; and discharging the one or more of the fluid and the gas from at least one of the plurality of discharge conduits to the vessel, the discharging creating or maintaining a current within the vessel.

Abstract: A method of terminating a plurality of wires to an electrical connector. The method generally includes providing a heat applicator device that selectively applies heat to a specific connector pin within an electrical connector so that a corresponding wire may be soldered to the connector pin. The heat applicator device applies heat to a first connector pin for a period of time for soldering of a first wire to the first connector pin and then the heat is removed. The heat applicator device then applies heat to the next connector pin for soldering a next wire to the next connector with the process continuing until all of the wires are soldered to their corresponding connector pins on the electrical connector.

Abstract: A robotic wire termination system for efficiently connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector. The robotic wire termination system generally includes a frame, a connector support attached to the frame, a robot manipulator having at least one arm, a heating device attached to the at least one arm and a control unit in communication with the robot manipulator to control the operation of the robot manipulator. The arm of the robot manipulator is adapted to move the heating device so that the heating device can apply heat to a selected connector pin of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A wire termination system for efficiently connecting a plurality of wires to an electrical connector. The wire termination system generally includes a heat applicator device that selectively applies heat to a specific connector pin within an electrical connector so that a corresponding wire may be soldered to the connector pin. The heat applicator device applies heat to a first connector pin for a period of time for soldering of a first wire to the first connector pin and then the heat is removed. The heat applicator device then applies heat to the next connector pin for soldering a next wire to the next connector with the process continuing until all of the wires are soldered to their corresponding connector pins on the electrical connector.

Abstract: A manure mixture within an anaerobic digestion tank stratifies to form a liquid effluent layer and a sludge layer. Liquid effluent from the liquid effluent layer is withdrawn from the tank through a height adjustable valve. The height adjustable valve is adapted to automatically adjust the position of its intake end within the liquid effluent layer in response to the level of the sludge layer detected by a sludge meter located within the tank. Liquid effluent withdrawn from the tank is passed through a heat exchange system including at least one heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is transferred to the liquid effluent to produce heated liquid effluent. The heated liquid effluent is reintroduced back into the digestion tank such that the temperature of the manure mixture within the tank is maintained within a suitable temperature range for anaerobic digestion of the manure mixture.

Abstract: A manure mixture within an anaerobic digestion tank stratifies to form a liquid effluent layer and a sludge layer. Liquid effluent from the liquid effluent layer is withdrawn from the tank through a height adjustable valve. The height adjustable valve is adapted to automatically adjust the position of its intake end within the liquid effluent layer in response to the level of the sludge layer detected by a sludge meter located within the tank. Liquid effluent withdrawn from the tank is passed through a heat exchange system including at least one heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is transferred to the liquid effluent to produce heated liquid effluent. The heated liquid effluent is reintroduced back into the digestion tank such that the temperature of the manure mixture within the tank is maintained within a suitable temperature range for anaerobic digestion of the manure mixture.

Abstract: A cover member adapted to confine gaseous emissions from animal waste in a waste collection area having a base for contacting and floating on at least a portion of a surface of the animal waste and a cover with at least one surface extending from the base. The cover member can include a buoyant frame to define a generally pyramid shape. The cover includes a layer of geotextile material and can include organic filter material with the internal volume of the cover member. A plurality of cover members can be closely aligned to cover a substantial portion of the surface of the animal waste.

Abstract: According to various illustrative embodiments, a motion-monitoring system comprises at least one antenna fixed within a barrier, the at least one antenna transmitting at least one first radio-frequency signal through the barrier to at least one volume outside the barrier, the at least one first radio-frequency signal reflecting from at least one object in the at least one volume to produce a plurality of second radio-frequency signals, which are received by the at least one antenna, at least one sensing circuit sensing the plurality of second radio-frequency signals and generating a plurality of time-domain output signals, and at least one processor receiving the plurality of time-domain output signals and comparing at least one successive time-domain output signal to at least one previous time-domain output signal to estimate at least one characteristic of the at least one object, including a motion of the at least one object.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating air from an exhaust port of a building. The apparatus includes an enclosed pathway having an inlet for communication with an exhaust port, a discharge outlet, and a non-linear pathway portion between the inlet and discharge outlet. The non-linear pathway includes air treatment material positioned in communication with a portion of the pathway to expose the air to the air treatment material as it moves through the pathway. The apparatus includes an irrigation system for maintaining the moisture content of the air treatment material.