Abstract: The invention provides a bowl. The bowl is provided with at least one grip ring, which grip ring is in the form of a first groove formed into the surface of the bowl and a second groove formed into the surface of the first groove, and a resiliently deformable or elastic band which fits into the second groove such the surface of the band is flush with or slightly proud of the surface of the first groove.

Abstract: A combined magnetic and bioabsorbable device for ventral hernia closure and/or tension distribution for maintenance of tissue apposition for healing, while avoiding a long-term footprint of foreign material and precluding materials spanning the interior layer of the abdominal closure where risk to visceral structures exists.

Abstract: Spatial light modulators (SLMs) and systems using same are described. Generally, the system includes a laser, a fixture holding a workpiece to be processed using the laser, illumination optics to illuminate the SLM with laser light, imaging optics to focus modulated light from the SLM onto the workpiece, and a controller to control the laser, the SLM, imaging optics and the fixture to scan the modulated light across a workpiece surface. The SLM includes an array of microelectromechanical system based diffractors, each including an electrostatically deflectable member coupled to a first light reflective surface and to bring light reflected from the first light reflective surface into interference with light reflected from a second light reflective surface in the SLM. The controller is operable to provide analog gray-scale control of an intensity of modulated light reflected from each diffractor by controlling an electrostatic force generated by a driver coupled thereto.

Abstract: A system for an agricultural seeding implement includes processing circuitry configured to, while the agricultural seeding implement is in a lowered position work state to distribute seeds during each pass through a seeding portion of a field, provide control signals to a downforce actuator to drive one or more row units toward a surface of the field. The processing circuitry is also configured to, while the agricultural seeding implement is in a raised position work state with the one or more row units lifted off of the surface of the field to turn within a headlands portions of the field, perform a calibration check for one or more load cell sensors that are configured to measure a downforce applied by the one or more row units to the field.

Abstract: A system for testing a device-under-test (DUT) over-the air (OTA) includes a probe antenna, an azimuth positioner, a linear positioner and a roll positioner. The probe antenna measures radiated fields from the DUT and emits radiated fields to the DUT by illuminating active antenna elements of the DUT. The azimuth positioner rotates the DUT in a first plane about an azimuth axis. The linear positioner drives the DUT linearly along a first Y-axis in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane and drives the DUT linearly along a second X-axis perpendicular to the first Y-axis in the second plane to stay within a quiet zone of the system. The roll positioner is provided between the second plane and the azimuth positioner and is configured to rotate the DUT about a roll axis orthogonal to the azimuth axis.

Abstract: A particulate material metering system includes a controller configured to determine a radius of curvature of a path of a lead vehicle coupled to an agricultural implement. The controller is configured to determine a lead time of the lead vehicle relative to the agricultural implement based on a speed of the lead vehicle and/or the agricultural implement. The controller is configured to determine a radius of curvature of a path of the agricultural implement based on the radius of curvature of the path of the lead vehicle at a determination time, in which the determination time is a current time minus an offset time, and the offset time is based on the lead time. The controller is configured to determine target particulate material flow rates of respective metering devices of the particulate material metering system based on the radius of curvature of the path of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: A particulate material metering system includes a controller configured to determine a radius of curvature of a path of a lead vehicle coupled to an agricultural implement. The controller is configured to determine a lead time of the lead vehicle relative to the agricultural implement based on a speed of the lead vehicle and/or the agricultural implement. The controller is configured to determine a radius of curvature of a path of the agricultural implement based on the radius of curvature of the path of the lead vehicle at a determination time, in which the determination time is a current time minus an offset time, and the offset time is based on the lead time. The controller is configured to determine target particulate material flow rates of respective metering devices of the particulate material metering system based on the radius of curvature of the path of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: A metering system for an agricultural vehicle includes meter rollers, each including protrusions driving flow of flowable particulate material in response to rotation of the meter roller. The metering system also includes a drive shaft driven in rotation and includes transmission assemblies that each correspond to a respective meter roller. Each transmission assembly includes a respective moveable gear actuatable to engage each of a plurality of gears to establish a respective gear ratio corresponding to one of a plurality of different speeds of the respective meter roller relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A particulate material metering system includes a controller configured to determine a radius of curvature of a path of a lead vehicle coupled to an agricultural implement. The controller is configured to determine a lead time of the lead vehicle relative to the agricultural implement based on a speed of the lead vehicle and/or the agricultural implement. The controller is configured to determine a radius of curvature of a path of the agricultural implement based on the radius of curvature of the path of the lead vehicle at a determination time, in which the determination time is a current time minus an offset time, and the offset time is based on the lead time. The controller is configured to determine target particulate material flow rates of respective metering devices of the particulate material metering system based on the radius of curvature of the path of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a sensor signal, determine a current flow based on the sensor signal, determine whether the current flow exceeds a current threshold for a time threshold, and operate a drive system of the agricultural system in an alternative operation instead of a normal operation in response to determining the current flow exceeds the current threshold for the time threshold.

Abstract: Spatial light modulators (SLMs) and systems using same are described. Generally, the system includes a laser, a fixture holding a workpiece to be processed using the laser, illumination optics to illuminate the SLM with laser light, imaging optics to focus modulated light from the SLM onto the workpiece, and a controller to control the laser, the SLM, imaging optics and the fixture to scan the modulated light across a workpiece surface. The SLM includes an array of microelectromechanical system based diffractors, each including an electrostatically deflectable member coupled to a first light reflective surface and to bring light reflected from the first light reflective surface into interference with light reflected from a second light reflective surface in the SLM. The controller is operable to provide analog gray-scale control of an intensity of modulated light reflected from each diffractor by controlling an electrostatic force generated by a driver coupled thereto.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based spatial light modulators (SLMs) enclosed in a package filled with a gas to enhance the reliability and lifetime of the SLM, and methods for operating the same in various applications are described. Generally, the SLM includes a number of MEMS modulators, each including a number of light reflective surfaces, at least one light reflective surface coupled to an electrostatically deflectable element suspended above a substrate, and each adapted to reflect and modulate a light beam incident thereon. The package enclosing the SLM includes an optically transparent cover through which the reflective surfaces are exposed to the light beam, and a cavity is filled a low molar mass fill gas having an atomic number of two or less and a thermal conductivity of greater than 100 mW/(m·K). The SLM can include electrostatically deflectable ribbons suspended over a substrate, or a linear array of two-dimensional MEMS modulators.

Abstract: A laser marking system including a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a multi-pixel, linear array of is microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based diffractors, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. Generally, the system includes, in addition to the SLM, a laser operable to illuminate the SLM; imaging optics operable to focus a substantially linear swath of modulated light onto a surface of a workpiece, the linear swath including light from multiple pixels of the SLM, and a controller operable to control the SLM, laser and imaging optics to mark the surface of the workpiece to record a two-dimensional image thereon. In one embodiment, the diffractors include a number of electrostatically deflectable ribbons suspended over a substrate. In another, each diffractor is two-dimensional including an electrostatically deflectable first reflective operable to brought into optical interference with light reflected from a second reflective surface on a faceplate, or an adjacent diffractor.

Abstract: An agitation control system of an agricultural system. The agitation control system includes an agitator that induces movement of particulate material through the agricultural system. An agitator motor couples to the agricultural system to move the agitator. A first motor couples to the agitation control system. The first motor includes a first sensor that detects a first temperature of the first motor and emits a first signal indicative of the first temperature. A controller couples to the agitator motor and to the first motor. The controller receives the first signal indicative of the first temperature from the first sensor and determines an ambient temperature from the first temperature. The controller controls the agitator motor in response to the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system includes a drive system configured to operate an agitating system, a plurality of sensors, in which each sensor of the plurality of sensors may detect presence of particulate material at the sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a functional status of each sensor of the plurality of sensors, and, in response to determining the functional status of a respective sensor of the plurality of sensor is functioning, determine a detection status of the respective sensor. The controller is further configured to output a control signal to instruct the drive system to operate the agitating system in a selected operating mode of a plurality of operating modes based on a position within the agricultural system, the functional status, and the detection status of each sensor of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an agricultural system having first and second product meters configured to meter product to first and second lines, respectively. First and second motors are coupled to the first and second product meters and configured to drive them at first and second metering rates, respectively. An air source is configured to provide first and second airflows to the first and second lines, respectively. A controller electrically coupled to the first and second motors is configured to receive first and second inputs indicative of first and second numbers of first and second outlets fluidly coupled to the first and second lines, respectively. The controller is configured to instruct the first and second motors to drive the first and second product meters at the first and second metering rates, respectively, based on the first and second inputs, and to instruct the air source to provide the first and second airflows with first and second dynamic pressures or first and second velocities.

Abstract: A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system includes an agitator configured to induce movement of particulate material through the agricultural system, a drive system coupled to the agitator, and a sensing system configured to determine a current flowing through the drive system. The drive system is configured to move the agitator, and the drive system is powered via an electrical circuit. The sensing system includes a first input coupled to a first point on the electrical circuit, the sensing system includes a second input coupled to a second point on the electrical circuit, the sensing system is configured to determine a voltage differential between the first point and the second point, and the sensing system is configured to determine current flowing through the electrical circuit based on the voltage differential.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of monitoring value added activity includes positioning a detector near a selected portion of a machine using a clip for situating the detector in a position where the detector can detect at least one electrical characteristic associated with operation of a machine; communicating an indication of the detected electrical characteristic between the detector and a user interface; and displaying a visual representation of value added activity information based the indication. The value added activity corresponds to human operator performance that is distinct from machine performance during a manufacturing or assembly process.

Abstract: A rack for holding a portion of a thrust reverser. The rack may include a base and a supporting frame disposed perpendicularly with the base. The base and the supporting frame may include a hinge at each location where the base and the supporting frame are coupled together. The rack may also include two supporting poles parallel to the supporting frame. The two supporting poles may be designed such that the portion of the thrust reverser may be mounted onto the two supporting poles.

Abstract: A rack for holding a portion of a thrust reverser. The rack may include a base and a supporting frame disposed perpendicularly with the base. The base and the supporting frame may include a hinge at each location where the base and the supporting frame are coupled together. The rack may also include two supporting poles parallel to the supporting frame. The two supporting poles may be designed such that the portion of the thrust reverser may be mounted onto the two supporting poles.