Abstract: A storage shelf (10) comprising a plurality of stacked supports (12) for supporting containers (13) of articles suitable for handling by an automated storage and retrieval device (15) including at least one storage and retrieval opening (20) for storage and retrieval of the containers (13) and a computer (17) in which information as to the stored articles (14) is memorized. To improve the overview of the stored articles at least one digital camera (16) is provided which senses the articles (14) held in the containers (13). The resulting digital information is memorized in the computer (17) for display by means of a monitor.

Abstract: A housing (10) has a planetary gear mechanism (20) composed of an inner gear (21), a planetary gear (22) and a sun gear (23), which mechanism is disposed within the housing (10) on its outer periphery side. The inner gear (21) is connected with a casing (31) arranged on a rotation axis (L). A spherical receiving portion (31a) is formed on the casing (31). This receiving portion (31a) is received in the sun gear (23). A pair of element gears (33, 33) and a pair of side gears (34, 34) of the planetary gear mechanism (30) are received in the receiving portion (31a).

Abstract: Family of methods for correcting errors in transfer of information over a lossy medium. The message to be sent is first broken into Data Blocks, which are further divided into N data segments. These data segments are sent verbatim and followed by XOR combinations of the data segments, called Error Correcting Segments. Incorrect Data or Error Correcting Segments are detected through the use of a CRC or any other error detection algorithm, and errored Data or Error Correcting Segments are discarded. Once all Data or Error Correcting Segments for a message segment are received, logic or a look up table is used to determine which of the Data Segments can be recovered. The lost Data Segment recovery is done using a binary XOR of multiple good Data or Error Correcting Segments. For additional error correction, Data and Error Correcting Segments can also be repeatedly transmitted multiple times to further improve the performance of this algorithm.

Abstract: A method and device for the continuous real-time monitoring of relative blood volume change, based on registration of blood hemoglobin concentration, during long periods of time, such as dialysis session. A method and device for cardiac output measurement during dialysis, surgeries, intensive care procedure is provided. Calibration of a sensor in response to a change in a measureable blood property is determined from a coefficient corresponding to a change in the measured blood property.

Abstract: Rapid thermal cycling of substrates in low-pressure processing environments is achieved by movable temperature conditioners located outside the processing environments. The substrates are mounted on thermally conductive pedestals for processing in the low-pressure environment. The temperature conditioners are movable both into and out of thermal contact with the pedestals outside the low-pressure environment to regulate transfers of heat through the pedestals between the substrates and the temperature conditioners. A translatable cooler block with a high thermal mass and a large interface area with the pedestal can be used as a temperature conditioner for more rapidly withdrawing heat from the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for in-situ testing of transducers, and more particularly to the testing of piezoelectric transducers including piezoelectric accelerometers. Circuits, measurement techniques, and interpretative algorithms to enable in-situ testing of piezoelectric accelerometers are described. Accelerometers that employ a piezoelectric material to convert mechanical strains into electronic signals are reciprocal electromechanical transducers. In such transducers the electrical output impedance of the sensor is dependent upon the electrical and mechanical parameters of the sensor. The procedure described in this disclosure includes methods of measuring the transducer electrical output impedance as a function of frequency and the extraction of the electrical and mechanical transducer parameters from the measured data. The measured values of the transducer parameters may be interpreted to provide an indication of the operational status of the transducer.

Abstract: A web of print media dispensable as individual sheets along lines of perforation includes a pattern of ties and slits that provide a more predictable resistance to manually separating the sheets from the web. The lines of perforation extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the web and cross a longitudinal centerline between two edges of the web. The ties are weaker near the centerline of the web than near either of the two edges sufficient to relatively increase resistance to tearing along the lines of perforation starting near either of the two edges while relatively decreasing resistance to tearing along the same lines of perforation starting near the centerline of the web.

Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.

Abstract: A wavelength tuning system adjusts an external cavity of a laser about two orthogonal axes for aligning features of a diffractive optic with a third orthogonal axis about which the diffractive optic is pivoted for providing selected wavelength feedback to the laser. A laser mount supports the laser, and a mounting arm supports both the diffractive optic and a reflective optic in a fixed orientation with respect to each other. A flexural member forms at least part of a connection between the mounting arm and the laser mount in a relative orientation for optically coupling the diffractive optic to the laser within the external cavity. The mounting arm is pivoted with respect to the laser mount about the pivot axis by an actuator for varying a wavelength of a diffracted portion of the output beam returned to the laser without significantly varying an angular orientation of the output beam with respect to the laser mount as reflected from the reflective optic.

Abstract: A post for a queue management system is disclosed, the post being constructed so as to be capable of nesting with one or more similar posts and having an upright portion 3 or 65 adapted to support at least one barrier device 25 and having at its bottom end a foot 5 or 61 which is so constructed that it can nest within or upon a foot of an adjacent post, the post preferably being provided with at least one wheel 19 or roller 75 to facilitate moving the posts between storage positions in which they are nested together and positions of use.

Abstract: A combined frame and mailer or greeting card are disclosed, either of which is formed from a one-piece blank having a frame front panel, a frame rear panel and a third and fourth panel, each panel being foldably connected to a neighboring panel at a fold line. In the combined frame and mailer, the third and fourth panels are respectively a mailer rear panel and a mailer front panel, which effectively sandwich the frame front panel and frame rear panel therebetween. In the combined frame and greeting card, the third and fourth panels are respectively an easel panel and a greeting panel. The frame rear panel is sandwiched between the frame front panel and the easel panel are and bonded thereto, a picture receiving pocket being formed between the frame front panel and frame rear panel. The greeting panel is detachable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controller (11), a cabin pressure control system (10) and a method for controlling pressure in a cabin (30), especially an aircraft cabin. In accordance with the invention the controller (11) comprises a channel (15, 16) and a pressure differential safety function (22). The channel (15; 16) calculates a first output signal (40) for actuating an overflow valve (17) in a closed loop control based on the pressure differential between the cabin (30) and the atmosphere and additional critical parameters. The safety function (22) calculates a second output signal (41) based only on the pressure differential. The two output signals (40, 41) are compared, and the second output signal (41) is selected, if said first output signal (40) is found inaccurate. The safety function (22) assures operation of the outflow valve (17) even it the channel (15; 16) is out of function.

Abstract: A damping system for an electromagnetically operable shutter includes a detent for arresting the motion of a pivotally supported shutter actuating drive arm. The detent has damper portions that are fixed to the pivotally supported drive arm and bumper portions that are fixed t positions to receive the impact of the dampers as the arm is pivoted in one direction or another to operate the shutter. The damper portions each has a straight edge and the surface of each bumper portion is curved so as to maintain substantially a point contact between the two throughout the duration of the impact. In addition the damper portions are formed of a damped polyurethane and each bumper portion is formed of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, the combination of materials providing energy absorption while avoiding the adherence of damper and bumper portions upon impact.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a puffable food product suitable for cooking by microwaving, deep fat frying and hot air cooking are disclosed. The methods include mixing a starch with water at a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially gelatinize the starch, forming the mixture into a sheet and subjecting the sheet to a steam treatment to fully gelatinize the starch. The sheet is then cooled and cut into pellets of a desired shape and the pellets are dried. The inclusion of flavoring ingredients to improve the puffability is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable volume buffer is employed to conduct a multitude of articles from an elevated supply stream into a container at a lower elevation while maintaining a drop distance for the articles that is shorter than the distance from the source to the bottom of the container. The bottom of the buffer is vertically displaced in response to the height of the articles in the buffer in a continuous or step-wise function to maintain the fill level of the articles in the buffer at substantially a constant drop distance from the source. Upon the bottom of the buffer moving adjacent the bottom of the container, the gate is opened and the buffer is raised to permit the spilling of the articles directly from the buffer and into the container.

Abstract: A fault tolerant network switch includes two or more switches units and a highly reliable (i.e., one with no single point of failure) interconnect unit so that during normal operation both switches are actively handling network packets and upon the failure of one of the switch units, another switch unit takes over, ensuring continued normal network operation, with somewhat reduced performance. The failed switch unit can then be replaced and the network returned to its original performance without disturbance to the other switch or the network cable connections.

Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.

Abstract: A coupler (11) for connecting a dipper arm (3) of an excavator to a bucket (1) without need for the operator of the excavator to leave the cab of the excavator, the coupler (11) having a device for connecting it to the end of the dipper arm (3), and a latching hook (17) for connecting it to a bucket (1), wherein the latching hook (17) has a special internal profile (56, 57, 61) so that when it is supporting the weight of a bucket (1), it will tend to move to a latching position, not to an unlatching position.