Abstract: A system and method for updating power supply voltages due to variations from aging are described. A functional unit includes a power supply monitor capable of measuring power supply variations in a region of the functional unit. An age counter measures an age of the functional unit. A control unit notifies the power supply monitor to measure an operating voltage reference. When the control unit receives a measured operating voltage reference, the control unit determines an updated age of the region different from the current age based on the measured operating voltage reference. The control unit updates the age counter with the corresponding age, which is younger than the previous age in some cases due to the region not experiencing predicted stress and aging. The control unit is capable of determining a voltage adjustment for the operating voltage reference based on an age indicated by the age counter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sliding door system including a motor, a driveshaft coupled to the motor, and a coupling mechanism fastened to the sliding door. The coupling mechanism is configured to convert rotation of the driveshaft into linear motion of the sliding door, such that movement of the coupling mechanism is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door. The sliding door system also includes a rotary encoder, a belt mechanically coupled to the coupling mechanism. The belt, as moved by the coupling mechanism, is configured to turn the rotary encoder as the sliding door moves, such that movement of the rotary encoder is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door and not directly correlated to movement of the motor and driveshaft.

Abstract: A system and related methods for increasing the density and efficiency of horticultural production in greenhouse/glasshouse/conservatory settings comprising an upper conveyor and a lower track that allow for the movement of plants/crops through a greenhouse system to thereby create a more consistent growing environment.

Abstract: A door system is provided. The door system includes: a corridor sized to allow humans to move through the corridor, the corridor defined, at least in part by side walls, the corridor having a first end and a second end; a first door located at the first end, the first door configured to provide selective access between the corridor and a space outside of the corridor; a second door located at the second end, the second door configured to provide selective access between the corridor and a space outside of the corridor; and sensors configured to determine a direction of movement within the corridor, the sensors operatively connected to at least one of the first and second doors to cause at least one of the first and second doors to move to a closed position if any of the sensors detect a movement further than a threshold amount in an undesired direction.

Abstract: A door system is provided. The door system includes: a corridor sized to allow humans to move through the corridor, the corridor defined, at least in part by side walls, the corridor having a first end and a second end; a first door located at the first end, the first door configured to provide selective access between the corridor and a space outside of the corridor; a second door located at the second end, the second door configured to provide selective access between the corridor and a space outside of the corridor; and sensors configured to determine a direction of movement within the corridor, the sensors operatively connected to at least one of the first and second doors to cause at least one of the first and second doors to move to a closed position if any of the sensors detect a movement further than a threshold amount in an undesired direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sliding door system including a motor, a driveshaft coupled to the motor, and a coupling mechanism fastened to the sliding door. The coupling mechanism is configured to convert rotation of the driveshaft into linear motion of the sliding door, such that movement of the coupling mechanism is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door. The sliding door system also includes a rotary encoder, a belt mechanically coupled to the coupling mechanism. The belt, as moved by the coupling mechanism, is configured to turn the rotary encoder as the sliding door moves, such that movement of the rotary encoder is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door and not directly correlated to movement of the motor and driveshaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sliding door system including a motor, a driveshaft coupled to the motor, and a coupling mechanism fastened to the sliding door. The coupling mechanism is configured to convert rotation of the driveshaft into linear motion of the sliding door, such that movement of the coupling mechanism is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door. The sliding door system also includes a rotary encoder, a belt mechanically coupled to the coupling mechanism. The belt, as moved by the coupling mechanism, is configured to turn the rotary encoder as the sliding door moves, such that movement of the rotary encoder is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door and not directly correlated to movement of the motor and driveshaft.

Abstract: A tracer-liner portion comprises an inner tube and an outer tube, each including at least one wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the walls of the inner tube and the outer tube being impermeable to fluid flow, the outer tube having an internal diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube, the inner tube being arranged coaxially within the outer tube such that at least a portion of the external surface of the inner tube is covered by the outer tube; the internal diameter of the outer tube exceeds the outer diameter of the inner tube by an amount sufficient to form a space between the external surface of the inner tube and the internal surface of the outer tube, and a tracer material containing a tracer compound is present in the space.

Abstract: A door system is provided. The door system includes: a corridor sized to allow humans to move through the corridor, the corridor defined, at least in part by side walls, the corridor having a first end and a second end; a first door located at the first end, the first door configured to provide selective access between the corridor and a space outside of the corridor; a second door located at the second end, the second door configured to provide selective access between the corridor and a space outside of the corridor; and sensors configured to determine a direction of movement within the corridor, the sensors operatively connected to at least one of the first and second doors to cause at least one of the first and second doors to move to a closed position if any of the sensors detect a movement further than a threshold amount in an undesired direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sliding door system including a motor, a driveshaft coupled to the motor, and a coupling mechanism fastened to the sliding door. The coupling mechanism is configured to convert rotation of the driveshaft into linear motion of the sliding door, such that movement of the coupling mechanism is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door. The sliding door system also includes a rotary encoder, a belt mechanically coupled to the coupling mechanism. The belt, as moved by the coupling mechanism, is configured to turn the rotary encoder as the sliding door moves, such that movement of the rotary encoder is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door and not directly correlated to movement of the motor and driveshaft.

Abstract: A tracer-liner portion comprises an inner tube and an outer tube, each including at least one wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the walls of the inner tube and the outer tube being impermeable to fluid flow, the outer tube having an internal diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube, the inner tube being arranged coaxially within the outer tube such that at least a portion of the external surface of the inner tube is covered by the outer tube; the internal diameter of the outer tube exceeds the outer diameter of the inner tube by an amount sufficient to form a space between the external surface of the inner tube and the internal surface of the outer tube, and a tracer material containing a tracer compound is present in the space.

Abstract: A tracer-liner portion includes an inner tube and an outer tube, each including at least one wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the walls of the inner tube and the outer tube being impermeable to fluid flow, the outer tube having an internal diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube, the inner tube being arranged coaxially within the outer tube such that at least a portion of the external surface of the inner tube is covered by the outer tube; the internal diameter of the outer tube exceeds the outer diameter of the inner tube by an amount sufficient to form a space between the external surface of the inner tube and the internal surface of the outer tube, and a tracer material containing a tracer compound is present in the space.

Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed, as are methods of making the frame using composite materials and compression molding. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction using a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back.

Abstract: An information gathering and decoding apparatus includes two information gathering devices that communicate with one another, preferably wirelessly. The two information gathering devices may be used substantially simultaneously to process one, or multiple, customer orders. Customer order information is sent from one information gathering device to the other, and only one of the information gathering devices communicates with a computer system to send information from both of the information gathering devices to the computer system as if the information originated from the one information gathering device. Communication between the two information gathering devices combined with a microprocessor in at least one of the information gathering devices may allow the information gathering and decoding apparatus to be used with existing computer systems, such as point of sale systems, preferably without modifying the computer system.

Abstract: A method of tracing flow of hydrocarbon from a subterranean reservoir including forming a dispersion, injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing the dispersion down a well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir, thereafter collecting a sample of hydrocarbon fluid flowing from the reservoir, and analysing the sample to determine whether the tracer compound is present in the sample. The dispersion includes a discontinuous condensed phase having a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and a continuous phase which includes an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A tracer-liner portion includes an inner tube and an outer tube, each including at least one wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the walls of the inner tube and the outer tube being impermeable to fluid flow, the outer tube having an internal diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube, the inner tube being arranged coaxially within the outer tube such that at least a portion of the external surface of the inner tube is covered by the outer tube; the internal diameter of the outer tube exceeds the outer diameter of the inner tube by an amount sufficient to form a space between the external surface of the inner tube and the internal surface of the outer tube, and a tracer material containing a tracer compound is present in the space.

Abstract: A method of tracing flow of hydrocarbon from a subterranean reservoir including forming a dispersion, injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing the dispersion down a well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir, thereafter collecting a sample of hydrocarbon fluid flowing from the reservoir, and analyzing the sample to determine whether the tracer compound is present in the sample. The dispersion includes a discontinuous condensed phase having a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and a continuous phase which includes an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: Resin-impregnated sandwich composite backpack frames are disclosed. The frames may, for example, be made of a carbon fiber twill with a foam core. The frames have an upper portion that includes upwardly-extending, elongate stays to support a backpack and mechanically decouple its load from the wearer. Open, generally vertically extending tracks in the upper portion provide points of attachment for shoulder strap assemblies. The lower portion is contoured to follow the typical lumbar-sacral curvature of the human back and terminates in a generally U-shaped tongue. Openings and unreinforced areas in the frame are provided to reduce weight and increase flexibility.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatuses herein comprise, for example, a printing apparatus that includes processing elements, such as printing elements, a media path positioned to supply sheets of media to the printing elements, a media storage device maintaining the sheets of media and providing the sheets of media to the media path, a processor device operatively connected to the media storage device and the media path, and a graphic user interface operatively connected to the processor device. The processor device monitors operations of the media storage device and the media path to detect media path faults. The processor device evaluates the media path faults to determine the severity of the media path faults. The processor device performs the bypass operation based on a combination of at least one of the media path faults exceeding a previously established severity level and the user-selectable bypass option on the graphic user interface being selected.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatuses herein comprise, for example, a printing apparatus that includes processing elements, such as printing elements, a media path positioned to supply sheets of media to the printing elements, a media storage device maintaining the sheets of media and providing the sheets of media to the media path, a processor device operatively connected to the media storage device and the media path, and a graphic user interface operatively connected to the processor device. The processor device monitors operations of the media storage device and the media path to detect media path faults. The processor device evaluates the media path faults to determine the severity of the media path faults. The processor device performs the bypass operation based on a combination of at least one of the media path faults exceeding a previously established severity level and the user-selectable bypass option on the graphic user interface being selected.