Abstract: An image is analyzed to locate an object appearing in the image. A contour of that object is extracted from the image and normalized. Based on the normalized contour, one or more summation invariant values are determined and compared to templates comprising one or more summation invariants for each of one or more target objects. The determined summation invariants for the extracted object are compared to summation invariants for the target objects. When the summation invariants for the extracted object sufficiently match the summation invariants determined from an image of a target object, the extracted object is recognized as that target object. The summation invariants can be semi-local summation invariants determined for each point along the normalized contour, based on a number of points neighboring that point on the normalized contour. The semi-local summation invariants are determined as a function of the x and y coordinates of those points.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from fluid in a system where the fluid is sprayed into an air head at the top of a tank through a diffuser and withdrawn through a pick-up tube. A solenoid valve operates to allow oxygen-containing gas from a compressed gas source to flow into the tank through a shuttle valve, which is opened by the gas pressure. Simultaneously, a drain valve connected to the shuttle valve opens a drain, venting water and air from the tank. The solenoid valve also operates to close the gas supply line and connect the shuttle valve through a vent to atmosphere. Pressure within the tank closes the shuttle valve, which in turn closes the drain valve and disconnects the shuttle valve from the tank. A one-way-flow valve prevents fluid or gas from flowing from the tank backwards through the shuttle valve to the solenoid valve and out the vent.

Abstract: Conventional large area fans generally create a cylinder of air having a diameter that is essentially equal to the diameter of the fan. Larger diameter fans require heavier-duty motors and gearboxes to drive the longer fan blades and are heavier, and thus are more difficult to mount, require heavier-duty mounting fixtures, and are more likely to fall. One large area fan according to this invention forms a cone of air. Some fan blades according to this invention have a relatively straight leading edge portion attached to the fan and a generally curved trailing portion extending downwardly from the relatively straight leading edge portion that interacts with the air to create a conical or cone-shaped flow of air from the fan. Other fan blades have a curved segment and are attached to the fan at theirs leading edges. In some such fan blades, one end is offset from the other end.

Abstract: A charge indicator for a battery includes a transparent inspection rod comprising an observation area at a first end and a tip formed by a conical reflection area at a second end. The charge indicator also includes a ball cage that includes a gas bubble collection channel beginning between the first upper channel boundary wall of the ball guidance channel and the tip, the gas bubble collection channel extending from the lower area of the ball cage to the tip and extending obliquely toward the top to the upper boundary wall oppositely to the adjoining ball guidance channel at least from the tip. The gas bubble collection channel has in an upper area of the gas bubble collection channel a plurality of gas diversion areas running to the outsides of the ball cage in the direction of the upper area of the ball cage, starting from a central plane level with the tip.

Abstract: A rigid cover assembly for covering the rear cargo compartment of a pickup truck. There is a tip plastic sheet that may have an acrylic surface placed over it for improved visual appearance. A bottom plastic sheet conforms to the shape of the top plastic sheet and is joined around the perimeter to the top plastic sheet. There is a fiberglass layer that is placed on the inside surface of the top and bottom plastic sheets that provides a bonding means for attaching a honey comb structural layer to the fiberglass layers. This provides light weight structural strength to the cover. The honeycomb that is attached to the plastic sheets reduces wetness marks.

Abstract: A dehumidifier system is connected to an interior space of a building through supply and return ducts, either directly and/or through an HVAC system. Controllable dampers can be used to select how the dehumidifier system is connected to the interior space and the HVAC system. The dehumidifier determines the dew point of the ambient air from temperature and relative humidity measurements taken at location(s) of relative humidity and temperature sensors. Based on the determined dew point, the dehumidifier system determines whether to operate. The temperature and relative humidity sensors can be located in the interior space or within the dehumidifier, where they project into the air stream flowing through the dehumidifier. The dehumidifier system operates in response in part to blower calls to the HVAC system and controls the HVAC system and a ventilation system to distribute the dehumidified air and outside air throughout the building.

Abstract: Fabricating a microelectronics grade metal substrate comprises forming the metal substrate on a sacrificial substrate. An adhesion layer can be deposited on or over the surface of the sacrificial substrate. A seed layer of the metal can be deposited on or over the adhesion layer. The metal material can be deposited on the seed layer by electroplating or other low-temperature, low-stress process to form a microelectronics-grade metal substrate. Thin film sensors and/or other microelectronic devices, followed by appropriate insulating layer(s), may be fabricated on or over the sacrificial substrate before forming the metal substrate. The sacrificial silicon substrate can then be etched away, leaving the microelectronics-grade metal substrate, and possibly the microelectronics device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and processes for drying livestock manure to produce suitable end-products such as animal bedding and soil conditioner or amendments. Dried manure made by the process can be recycled into the burner. Exhaust gases from the dryer and cyclone can be cleansed of particulate and/or used to heat and aerate trenches and/or lagoons used to digest wet manure. Biomass may also be used as fuel in the burner. Biomass may also be blended with wet manure to decrease water content prior to being dried in the dryer.

Abstract: A gin hoist adapted for attachment to the cross arm of a power pole. The gin hoist includes a base support structure with two side rails connected by rungs, an upper load bearing member that rests on the top surface of the cross arm and a lower load bearing member that is adapted to engage lower surface of the cross arm such that the base support structure inclines at an angle to the cross arm appreciably less than 90 degrees. An extending support structure is attached to the base support structure. A hoist attaches to the base support member with a load bearing strap engaged therein and running over the top of the base support member and over the distal end of the extending support member. The strap has a cable engagement device at its end.

Abstract: An electron generating device extracts electrons, through an electron sheath, from plasma produced using RF fields. The electron sheath is located near a grounded ring at one end of a negatively biased conducting surface, which is normally a cylinder. Extracted electrons pass through the grounded ring in the presence of a steady state axial magnetic field. Sufficiently large magnetic fields and/or RF power into the plasma allow for helicon plasma generation. The ion loss area is sufficiently large compared to the electron loss area to allow for total non-ambipolar extraction of all electrons leaving the plasma. Voids in the negatively-biased conducting surface allow the time-varying magnetic fields provided by the antenna to inductively couple to the plasma within the conducting surface. The conducting surface acts as a Faraday shield, which reduces any time-varying electric fields from entering the conductive surface, i.e. blocks capacitive coupling between the antenna and the plasma.