Abstract: A gripping tool includes a vacuum manifold, a flexible membrane, and vacuum channels coupled in parallel between the vacuum manifold and the flexible membrane. Each of the vacuum channels includes a compliant conduit, a vacuum check valve, and suction cup. The vacuum check valve is biased to a closed condition and is configured to toggle from the closed condition to an open condition when a vacuum source applies a vacuum in the vacuum manifold and the suction cup of that vacuum channel is engaged by the object. Each of the check valves independently toggles between the closed condition and the open condition such that, when a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum manifold, the vacuum is maintained in the vacuum manifold and in the compliant conduits of the vacuum channels that have engaged suction cups.

Abstract: A system for lifting a deformable object includes a support structure, two pairs of opposing arms coupled to the support structure, and a fluid power driver operatively coupled in parallel to the pairs of opposing arms via a fluid power system. Each of the arms includes inclined surfaces configured to contact the deformable object. When the support structure is positioned above the deformable object on the surface, the fluid power driver is configured to increase pressure in the fluid power system until the pressure in the fluid power system reaches a predetermined level such that (i) each of the pairs of opposing arms independently closes a distance until the inclined surfaces are in contact with sides of the deformable object, and (ii) the pairs of opposing arms exert a compressive force on the deformable object that causes the deformable object to slide up one or more of the inclined surfaces.

Abstract: A method for the inspection of contained flowable materials within containers, such as detecting an explosive liquid in a luggage, and an apparatus for performing the method are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a valve sleeve for forming at least a portion of a valve flow passage. The valve sleeve includes a seat end having a seat face, the seat end extending at least partially into a chamber of a valve body. The valve sleeve also includes a sleeve portion coupled to the seat end and having a coupling end opposite the seat face, the coupling end comprising a retaining mechanism for removably coupling the valve sleeve to the valve body. The valve sleeve further includes an opening extending along a length of the valve sleeve, the opening forming at least a portion of the valve flow passage and having a generally circular cross section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a valve sleeve for forming at least a portion of a valve flow passage. The valve sleeve includes a seat end having a seat face, the seat end extending at least partially into a chamber of a valve body. The valve sleeve also includes a sleeve portion coupled to the seat end and having a coupling end opposite the seat face, the coupling end comprising a retaining mechanism for removably coupling the valve sleeve to the valve body. The valve sleeve further includes an opening extending along a length of the valve sleeve, the opening forming at least a portion of the valve flow passage and having a generally circular cross section.

Abstract: Fixed broadheads may be provided having main blades connected to a tip and secured within a slot or chamber in the body of the broadhead. Secondary blades may interlock with the main blades inside of a ferrule, thereby forming a fixed broadhead with an advanced and strong retention system. The main blades may be pinned to the tip of the broadhead through blade pins and the secondary blades may interlock with the main blades, thereby improving the strength and precision of the fixed broadhead in its movement toward a target.

Abstract: A method of radiological examination of an object for the identification and detection of the composition the object comprising the steps of: irradiating an object under test with high energy radiation such as x-rays or gamma-rays and collecting radiation emergent from the object at a suitable detector system in such manner that emergent radiation intensity data is collected for the entire volume of the object under test; numerically processing the radiation intensity data to obtain a first data item correlated to the total number of electrons within the sample; applying an alternative method to obtain a second data item correlated to another property of the sample; using the first and second data items to derive an indication of the material content of the sample.

Abstract: A method is for the deconvolution of a statistically noisy spectral dataset is described comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a spectroscopically resolved dataset of measured flux from a sample that has been collected using a suitable detector radiation system; b. generating an initial estimate of the true spectrum; c. modifying the estimate of the true spectrum by a response function of the detector used to collect the measured flux dataset so as to generate an estimate flux dataset; d. computing a merit value for statistical fit between the measured flux dataset and the estimate flux dataset; e. applying a perturbation to a value of the estimate of the true spectrum; f.

Abstract: Rear-deploying mechanical broadheads may be provided having stationary blades that open only through movement of a drive pin/key secured within a slot or chamber in the body of the broadhead. The drive pin/key may act as bleeder blades, thereby forming a mechanical broadhead with bleeder blades. The stationary blades may be pinned to the tip of the broadhead through blade pins, thereby keeping the blades stationary during flight toward a target and lessening the likelihood that the broadhead may be errant in its movement toward a target.

Abstract: Fixed broadheads may be provided having main blades connected to a tip and secured within a slot or chamber in the body of the broadhead. Secondary blades may interlock with the main blades inside of a ferrule, thereby forming a fixed broadhead with an advanced and strong retention system. The main blades may be pinned to the tip of the broadhead through blade pins and the secondary blades may interlock with the main blades, thereby improving the strength and precision of the fixed broadhead in its movement toward a target.

Abstract: A method of examination of an object comprising the steps of: applying a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technique to obtain a data item correlated to the relative nuclear susceptibility within the sample; obtaining a further data item correlated to another measure of the object under examination; determining therefrom a ratio.

Abstract: A conveyor system for use with a scanning apparatus for scanning of contained materials such as liquids within containers such as bottles. The system includes a transverse conveyor having a conveyor surface, a plurality of container support modules each adapted to seat on the conveyor surface. Each container support module includes a lower surface that sits upon the conveyor surface of the conveyor and upper part in which a container-receiving recessed portion is defined.

Abstract: Rear-deploying mechanical broadheads may be provided having stationary blades that open only through movement of a drive pin/key secured within a slot or chamber in the body of the broadhead. The drive pin/key may act as bleeder blades, thereby forming a mechanical broadhead with bleeder blades. The stationary blades may be pinned to the tip of the broadhead through blade pins, thereby keeping the blades stationary during flight toward a target and lessening the likelihood that the broadhead may be errant in its movement toward a target.

Abstract: Rear-deploying mechanical broadheads may be provided having stationary blades that open only through movement of a drive pin/key secured within a slot or chamber in the body of the broadhead. The drive pin/key may act as bleeder blades, thereby forming a mechanical broadhead with bleeder blades. The stationary blades may be pinned to the tip of the broadhead through blade pins, thereby keeping the blades stationary during flight toward a target and lessening the likelihood that the broadhead may be errant in its movement toward a target.

Abstract: A conveyor system for use with a scanning apparatus for the scanning of contained materials such as liquids and the like, especially within containers such as bottles, is described, comprising a transverse conveyor having a conveyor surface; a plurality of container support modules each adapted to seat on the conveyor surface; wherein each container support module comprises a lower surface that sits upon the conveyor surface of the conveyor and upper part in which a container-receiving recessed portion is defined. A method of conveying bottles using such a system is also described.

Abstract: A method for the inspection of contained flowable materials within containers, such as detecting an explosive liquid in a luggage, and an apparatus for performing the method are described.

Abstract: Rear-deploying mechanical broadheads may be provided having stationary blades that open only through movement of a drive pin/key secured within a slot or chamber in the body of the broadhead. The drive pin/key may act as bleeder blades, thereby forming a mechanical broadhead with bleeder blades. The stationary blades may be pinned to the tip of the broadhead through blade pins, thereby keeping the blades stationary during flight toward a target and lessening the likelihood that the broadhead may be errant in its movement toward a target.

Abstract: Rear-deploying mechanical broadheads may be provided having stationary blades that open only through movement of a drive pin/key secured within a slot or chamber in the body of the broadhead. The drive pin/key may act as bleeder blades, thereby forming a mechanical broadhead with bleeder blades. The stationary blades may be pinned to the tip of the broadhead through blade pins, thereby keeping the blades stationary during flight toward a target and lessening the likelihood that the broadhead may be errant in its movement toward a target.

Abstract: A method is for the deconvolution of a statistically noisy spectral dataset is described comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a spectroscopically resolved dataset of measured flux from a sample that has been collected using a suitable detector radiation system; b. generating an initial estimate of the true spectrum; c. modifying the estimate of the true spectrum by a response function of the detector used to collect the measured flux dataset so as to generate an estimate flux dataset; d. computing a merit value for statistical fit between the measured flux dataset and the estimate flux dataset; e. applying a perturbation to a value of the estimate of the true spectrum; f.

Abstract: A method of examination of an object comprising the steps of: applying a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technique to obtain a data item correlated to the relative nuclear susceptibility within the sample; obtaining a further data item correlated to another measure of the object under examination; determining therefrom a ratio.