Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for producing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) product by cooling and liquefying a natural gas stream via indirect heat exchange with a gaseous refrigerant and then flashing and separating the liquefied natural gas stream to obtain the LNG product. In particular, the gaseous refrigerant may be a refrigerant circulating in a reverse Brayton cycle. The gaseous refrigerant is warmed in the shell side first, second and third coil-wound heat exchanger sections each having a tube side and a shell side, the shell side of the first coil-wound heat exchanger section being separated from and operating at a different pressure to the shell side of the second and third coil-wound heat exchanger sections.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for coating aluminum alloy heat exchangers that include the use of a waterborne top coating. By using a waterborne top coating, relative to a solvent borne, useful advantages can be achieved, such as improved penetration depth of the top coating. An example method includes cleaning a surface of a heat exchanger; contacting the surface of the heat exchanger with a first mixture to provide a passivation layer on the surface of the heat exchanger; contacting the passivation layer with a second mixture in a bath and applying a positive charge to the bath to provide an electro-coating on a surface of the passivation layer; and contacting the electro-coating with a third mixture, the third mixture including water and a polymer resin having anti-corrosion and ultraviolet protection properties, to provide a top coating including the polymer resin on a surface of the electro-coating.

Abstract: A crop prediction system performs various machine learning operations to predict crop production and to identify a set of farming operations that, if performed, optimize crop production. The crop prediction system uses crop prediction models trained using various machine learning operations based on geographic and agronomic information. Responsive to receiving a request from a grower, the crop prediction system can access information representation of a portion of land corresponding to the request, such as the location of the land and corresponding weather conditions and soil composition. The crop prediction system applies one or more crop prediction models to the access information to predict a crop production and identify an optimized set of farming operations for the grower to perform.

Abstract: An approach for facilitating mechanical and electrical connection of electric machines and electrical components in an electrical system using connectors with quick connect/disconnect electrical connectors is disclosed. Each quick connect/disconnect electrical connector can be placed on the end of an electrical power distribution cable that connects with an electric machine or electrical component. The electric machines and electrical components and the electrical power distribution cables can have hollow coolant passages formed therein to receive cooling fluid from a cooling device for direct cooling of the electric machines, electrical components and the electrical power distribution cables.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a hand controller apparatus for controlling a tool in a robotic surgery system can include a body with a proximal end and a distally located interface end configured to be coupled to an input apparatus configured to control the tool. The hand controller apparatus can also include a control lever attached to a pivot joint proximate a side surface of the body and extending along the body and away from the proximal end, the control lever being laterally moveable relative to the side surface of the body about the pivot joint. The hand controller apparatus can additionally include a lateral movement detector configured to magnetically or inductively detect a lateral movement of the control lever.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a method includes selecting a cemented carbide substrate from a plurality of cemented carbide substrates in a substrate inventory. Each of the plurality of cemented carbide substrates have a substantially planar top surface. The method also includes emitting a plurality of laser pulses from a laser towards at least the substantially planar top surface of the cemented carbide substrate to ablate selected regions of the cemented carbide substrate thereby forming the cemented carbide substrate into a selected shape.

Abstract: A bioptic scanner optical arrangement with a single sensor split four ways is disclosed herein. An example bioptic scanner optical arrangement includes a housing, an imaging assembly having a primary FOV, a decode module, a generally horizontal window supported by the housing, a generally upright window supported by the housing, and a mirror arrangement positioned within the interior region. The mirror arrangement is configured to divide the primary FOV into a plurality of subfields, to redirect at least one of the plurality of subfields through the generally horizontal window, and to redirect at least another two of the plurality of subfields through the generally upright window. The bioptic barcode reader has no other imaging assembly communicatively coupled to the decode module and used to process images for decoding indicia.

Abstract: Imaging devices, systems, and methods for identifying an operation mode of an imaging device and processing imaging data based on the operation mode are described herein. An example device includes: a first imager operable to receive light from a first field of view (FOV) and configured to capture a first imager stream, a second imager operable to receive light from a second FOV and configured to capture a second imager stream, and a vision application processor that: processes at least a portion of the first imager stream and at least a portion of the second imager stream based on at least one of a commencement of a read session, a trigger event, or a decode event; and processes the second imager stream without regard to any of the read session, the trigger event, or the decode event, and process the first imager stream based on the second imager stream.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader has a housing having a lower housing portion with an upper surface and an upper housing portion extending above the lower housing portion. A generally horizontal window is positioned at the upper surface, a generally upright window is positioned in the upper housing portion, and an imaging assembly having a primary field-of-view and a set of optical components are positioned within the interior region. The housing has a width greater than or equal to 5 inches and less than or equal to 7 inches, the lower housing portion has a height greater than or equal to 3 inches, the upper housing portion has a height greater than or equal to 4 inches and less than or equal to 6 inches, and the upper surface has a length greater than or equal to 6 inches and less than or equal to 8 inches.

Abstract: One example method of operation may include identifying a call originated from a caller entity destined for a called entity at a call content server, identifying a called number associated with the called entity and a caller number associated with the caller entity, comparing a telephone number prefix associated with the called number with a number of enhanced call content data elements to identify a match, selecting one or more of the enhanced call content data elements to pair with the called number based on the match, and forwarding the selected enhanced call content data elements to the called entity.

Abstract: Paper towel rolls that exhibit novel combinations of physical properties, such as Basis Weight, Roll Density, and Roll Diameter, such that the paper towel rolls meet consumers' needs, and method for making such novel paper towel rolls and marketing such novel paper towel rolls are provided.

Abstract: A wheel fastener alarm assembly is provided having a fastener body with a first portion defining a wrenching surface and a cavity, and a second portion with a threaded portion to attach and detach from a wheel of a vehicle. A sensor array is disposed in the cavity of fastener body to detect an attribute of the fastener body and generate an output signal based on the attribute of the fastener body. An antenna connected to the sensor array to transmit the signal to a remote location. A cap is secured to the first portion of the fastener body and covers the wrenching surface and the cavity opening to define a capped fastener body.

Abstract: Imaging devices, systems, and methods for identifying an operation mode of an imaging device and processing imaging data based on the operation mode are described herein. An example device includes: a first imager operable to receive light from a first field of view (FOV) and configured to capture a first imager stream, a second imager operable to receive light from a second FOV and configured to capture a second imager stream, and a vision application processor that: processes at least a portion of the first imager stream and at least a portion of the second imager stream based on at least one of a commencement of a read session, a trigger event, or a decode event; and processes the second imager stream without regard to any of the read session, the trigger event, or the decode event, and process the first imager stream based on the second imager stream.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench comprises: a handle; a first member having an annular surface provided thereon with a plurality of teeth parallel to an axial direction thereof; a second member configured to rotate circumferentially with respect to the annular surface, the second member having at least two recesses arranged circumferentially around it; and at least two first drive transmission members disposed in the respective recesses of the second member, each of the first drive transmission members comprising at least one ratchet tooth, the first drive transmission members configured to be engaged with the teeth to transmit movement in a first direction between the first member and the second member, wherein each of the first drive transmission members is in a different engagement configuration with the teeth, wherein one of the first member and the second member is coupled to the handle and configured to be driven by the handle to rotate.

Abstract: There is provided a fan assembly comprising a motor-driven impeller arranged to generate an airflow, an air outlet arranged to emit the airflow, a plurality of sensors arranged to measure a value for each of a plurality of air quality characteristics, a display and a processor. The processor is configured to receive measured values for each of the plurality of air quality characteristics, identify one of a corresponding set of intervals within which the measured value falls and select an air quality index value associated with the identified interval. The processor is then configured to identify the highest of the selected air quality index values as a current overall air quality index value and to cause the display to display a time series plot of the current air quality index value and a number of preceding air quality index values.

Abstract: A ladder rack system may have a slide with a support flange and a spanning flange. The system may also have a ladder support member adapted to selectively receive a portion of the support flange therein. The system may also have a pivot bracket pivotally connected to the ladder support member. The pivot bracket may be adapted to selectively move the ladder support member.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes a nozzle configured to jet a drop of liquid metal therethrough. The 3D printer also includes a light source configured to illuminate the drop with a pulse of light. A duration of the pulse of light is from about 0.0001 seconds to about 0.1 seconds. The 3D printer also includes a camera configured to capture an image, video, or both of the drop. The 3D printer also includes a computing system configured to detect the drop in the image, the video, or both. The computing system is also configured to characterize the drop after the drop is detected. Characterizing the drop includes determining a size of the drop, a location of the drop, or both in the image, the video, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of identifying a compound for treating or preventing an infection with an infectious microbe, such as a coronavirus, in a subject in need thereof. Also disclosed herein are compounds and compositions identified by said methods, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to bi-optic indicia readers. In at least some embodiments the present invention is a bi-optic indicia reader that includes two FOVs which are configured to allow the reader to capture and successfully decode a 13-mil indicia presented to a respective FOV in a plane that is angled at least 80 degree to a plane that is defined by the window of the reader through which the FOV is passing.