Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of automated collection and deposition of fluid, semi-solid, and solid samples of biological or chemical materials. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of microarrayers, which are devices for autonomously depositing minute droplets of biological or chemical fluid samples in ordered arrays onto substrates. The invention also relates to tissue arrayers, which are devices for the collection and deposition of solid and semi-solid tissue samples in ordered arrays. Other aspects of the invention relate to fluidics robots, which are devices for the autonomous collection, dispensing and processing of biological or chemical fluid samples. The invention improves the throughput of microarrayers, tissue arrayers, and fluidics robots by providing methods and apparatuses to precisely and repeatably load supplies into the machines.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including an apparatus that is a rail anchor comprising a head, a tail, and a belly section. The belly section comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and two side surfaces. Each side surface comprises a contact-bearing surface area. The head comprises a bend along a length of the head. The tail comprises a notch. Each contact-bearing surface area has a surface area of at least 3 square inches and is adapted to extend at least 1.5 inches downward from the top of a railroad track crosstie along a side of the railroad track crosstie.

Abstract: A protection system for an electrical apparatus is disclosed. The protection system includes a baffle assembly and a coating for electrical elements exposed to arc gasses. The baffle assembly includes a number of generally planar sidewalls, each sidewall including a first edge surface, a second edge surface, and a third edge surface. The sidewalls are disposed in a spaced, generally parallel configuration defining a number of channels. A first end wall, is sealingly coupled to each sidewall first edge. A second end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall second edge. A third end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall third edge. The terminals of an electrical apparatus are disposed in an aligned set with one set of terminals in each channel. The channels are structured to limit the flow of arc gasses across adjacent sets of terminals.

Abstract: An electrical feed through assembly includes a mechanical connector extending between a first end and a second end. The mechanical connector defines at least one opening through the mechanical connector between the first end and the second end. The electrical feed through assembly includes a first electrical connector attached to the first end of the mechanical connector. The first electrical connector includes a conductor portion that extends through the at least one opening in the mechanical connector. The first electrical connector includes a grounded portion within which the conductor portion is received. An inner radial surface of the grounded portion is sealed with the conductor portion. An outer radial surface of the grounded portion is attached to the mechanical connector.

Abstract: A rapid method for characterizing and identifying microorganisms using Focal-Plane Array (FPA)-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is disclosed. Multi-pixels spectral images of unknown microorganisms spectra are analyzed and compared to spectra of reference microorganisms in databases. The method allows rapid and highly reliable identification of unknown microorganisms for the purpose of medical diagnosis, food and environmental control.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for displacing fluid from a pipe. The method includes engaging a fluid-displacement system with the pipe. A displacement agent is pumped into the pipe via the fluid-displacement system. Fluid present within the pipe is displaced by the displacement agent. The pipe is manipulated in a desired manner.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for displacing fluid from a pipe. The method includes engaging a fluid-displacement system with the pipe. A displacement agent is pumped into the pipe via the fluid-displacement system. Fluid present within the pipe is displaced by the displacement agent. The pipe is manipulated in a desired manner.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of automated collection and deposition of fluid, semi-solid, and solid samples of biological or chemical materials. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of microarrayers, which are devices for autonomously depositing minute droplets of biological or chemical fluid samples in ordered arrays onto substrates. The invention also relates to tissue arrayers, which are devices for the collection and deposition of solid and semi-solid tissue samples in ordered arrays. Other aspects of the invention relate to fluidics robots, which are devices for the autonomous collection, dispensing and processing of biological or chemical fluid samples. The invention improves the throughput of microarrayers, tissue arrayers, and fluidics robots by providing methods and apparatuses to precisely and repeatably load supplies into the machines.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable sub-assemblies having a fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber attached to a circuit board are disclosed. The circuit board includes an active optical component in operable communication with the optical fiber for forming an active optical cable (AOC) assembly. A strain relief device attaches an end portion of the fiber optic cable to the circuit board, thereby forming the cable sub-assembly. Methods of assembling the fiber optic cable sub-assembly are also disclosed and include the step of attaching an end portion of the fiber optic cable to the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical feed through assembly includes a mechanical connector extending between a first end and a second end. The mechanical connector defines at least one opening through the mechanical connector between the first end and the second end. The electrical feed through assembly includes a first electrical connector attached to the first end of the mechanical connector. The first electrical connector includes a conductor portion that extends through the at least one opening in the mechanical connector. The first electrical connector includes a grounded portion within which the conductor portion is received. An inner radial surface of the grounded portion is sealed with the conductor portion. An outer radial surface of the grounded portion is attached to the mechanical connector.

Abstract: A tie fastener apparatus for attaching railroad ties to a superstructure. The apparatus comprises a threaded hook bolt, including a hook with a hook end to engage the underside of a flange of a superstructure beam. The apparatus further includes a metal member for engaging plural ties, the metal member including a tie fastener hole at plural locations, and a nut for fastening a threaded end of the threaded hook bolt for installation when the threaded hook bolt is passed through the bolt hole and optionally a washer. When the threaded hook bolt is installed, including passing a threaded end of the threaded hook bolt through the bolt hole and fastening with the nut, the hook engages the superstructure. The apparatus is installed from above the superstructure without drilling holes in ties or the superstructure, or requiring manned installation from below the superstructure.

Abstract: An adapter for grounding a protector module in a network interface device (NID) is provided. The adapter includes a body, and at least one ground mount area on the body. Each ground mount area includes a ground post extending from the body and configured to conductively couple to the protector module. A connector extends from the body and is configured to conductively couple to a grounding element of the NID. The body, the at least one ground post and the connector are conductive. The adapter allows for reuse of existing protector modules that do not have a ground adapter for direct mounting to a ground post by using the vertical grounding feature found in the protector module.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: An adapter for grounding a protector module in a network interface device (NID) is provided. The adapter includes a body, and at least one ground mount area on the body. Each ground mount area includes a ground post extending from the body and configured to conductively couple to the protector module. A connector extends from the body and is configured to conductively couple to a grounding element of the NID. The body, the at least one ground post and the connector are conductive. The adapter allows for reuse of existing protector modules that do not have a ground adapter for direct mounting to a ground post by using the vertical grounding feature found in the protector module.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and systems for generating frequency reference signals from a radio signal received from a large-coverage access component, such as a base station. The radio signal is received and processed by an oscillator to filter out abnormalities. Consequently, a frequency reference signal is generated that is encapsulated into packets and delivered to one or more small-coverage access components using the Precision Timing Protocol or some other protocol that is useable by the small-coverage access components. The small-coverage access components comprise one or more of a femtocell or a picocell.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for displacing fluid from a pipe. The method includes engaging a fluid-displacement system with the pipe. A displacement agent is pumped into the pipe via the fluid-displacement system. Fluid present within the pipe is displaced by the displacement agent. The pipe is manipulated in a desired manner.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.