Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include methods for connected component labeling including labeling groups of raw data as one or more regions, the labeling including designating one or more data structures as containing information about the one or more regions; designating one or more of the regions as one or more subregions to expose a spatial distribution of one or more region features; and arranging at least one memory array with a 1:1 correspondence to a data array associated with the raw data to enable one or more data structures to include feature labels of the one or more subregions, the 1:1 correspondence enabling acquisition of the one or more region features with a controllable precision.

Abstract: A system and method for forming an article from thermoplastic material and fiber. The method includes heating thermoplastic material to form a molten thermoplastic material for blending with the fiber. The molten thermoplastic material is blended with the fibers to form a molten composite material having a concentration of fiber by weight. The molten composite material may then be extruded through dynamic dies to deliver discrete controlled material that is gravitated onto a lower portion of a mold. The lower portion of the mold may be moved in space and time while receiving the flow of composite material to deposit a predetermined quantity of molten composite material thereon conforming to mold cavities of the lower and an upper portion of the mold. The upper portion of the mold may be pressed against the predetermined quantity of molten composite material and closing on the lower portion of the mold to form the article.

Abstract: An enclosed structure includes a base perimeter structure with a plurality of base plates, an exterior wall structure and a roof structure. The exterior wall structure includes a plurality of sidewall panels. The roof structure includes a plurality of roof panels. The enclosed structure has a substantially enclosed interior structure space. The enclosed structure can be prepared using plastic molding methods and may be used as a temporary emergency structure, such as a temporary emergency dwelling.

Abstract: A rail gun armature assembly utilizing unique carbon-carbon composite materials and armature design to enable repeated use of very high velocity projectile firings with minimal damage to rail guns, and a rail gun rail assembly utilizing unique carbon-carbon composite materials to enable repeated use of very high velocity projectile firings with greatly reduced damage to the gun rails.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include methods and systems for encoding one or more region features in connected components labeling including associating one or more labels for an object with a memory structure, the memory structure including the one or more region features; storing the one or more region features in the memory structure, the one or more region features processed in raster order to provide a correspondence between one or more region properties and an original location of the object; enabling the memory structure to receive one or more extents of the one or more region properties at an adjustable precision and with an adjustable data rate, the adjustable precision and the adjustable data rate determined as a function of an amount of detail to be stored; and enabling the memory structure to receive one or more extents at an adjustable data rate determined as a function of an amount of detail to be stored independent of pixel data.

Abstract: The method includes providing a mold apparatus (1) that includes, a first mold portion (11) having an interior mold surface (14) having a plurality of perforations (26) and a perimeter edge (17). The mold apparatus (11) further includes at least one tubular sheet retainer (35) having an exterior surface (38) having a plurality of perforations (41) and a longitudinal axis (44) that is oriented along at least a portion of the perimeter edge (17) of the first mold portion (11). Each tubular sheet retainer (35) is reversibly and controllably: (i) positionable along an x-, y- and/or z-axis relative to the perimeter edge (17); and (ii) rotatable around its longitudinal axis (44), toward and/or away from the perimeter edge (17). A heated thermoplastic sheet (95) is formed and contacted (while at a thermoformable temperature) with the interior surface (14) of the first mold portion (11) and the exterior surfaces (38) of the tubular sheet retainers (35).

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for measuring environmental degradation of a structures making use of exposed sacrificial material coupons mounted in the immediate vicinity of magnetic sensor elements in the environment of the monitored structure.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for sensing parameters of an object may include at least one optical fiber, one or more attaching members and a tensioner. The one or more attaching members may be coupled to the optical fiber and may attach the one optical fiber to an object. The tensioner may be coupled to the optical fiber and may secure the one or more optical fiber against a surface of an object.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped thermoplastic sheet is described. The method includes providing a mold apparatus (1) that includes, a first mold portion (11) having an interior mold surface (14) having a plurality of perforations (26) and a perimeter edge (17). The mold apparatus (11) further includes at least one sheet retainer (35) having an upper surface (38) having a plurality of perforations (41) and a longitudinal axis (44) that is oriented along at least a portion of the perimeter edge (17) of the first mold portion (11). Each sheet retainer (35) is reversibly and controllably: (i) positionable along an x-, y- and/or z-axis relative to the perimeter edge (17); and (ii) rotatable around its longitudinal axis (44), toward and/or away from the perimeter edge (17). A heated thermoplastic sheet (95) is formed and contacted (while at a thermoformable temperature) with the interior surface (14) of the first mold portion (11) and the exterior surfaces (38) of the tubular sheet retainers (35).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a molded plastic article (2) having a second surface (56) with molded extensions (59), e.g., structural supports, such as ribs, extending therefrom, and a first surface (69) that is substantially free of sink mark defects. The method involves forming, from a first plastic material, a first molded section (50) having at least one molded extension (59) extending from the second surface (56) thereof. The molded extension (59) is formed in a mold recess (23) having a reversibly positionable slide (14) therein. After formation of the first molded section (50), the slide (14) is retracted to a second slide position (B) thus forming within the molded extension a retainer cavity (74) that is in fluid communication with an aperture (71) in the first surface (53) of the first molded section (50).

Abstract: A molded plastic panel and a molded plastic panel assembly including at least two molded panels are described. Each panel includes a center portion (14) that is positioned between and which is continuous with a first external portion (17) and a second external portion (20). The center portion (14) has a plurality of plastic center reinforcing structures (31) that define a plurality of center portion apertures (34). Each of the first and second external portions include reinforcing structures (49, 79) having sidewalls (52, 82) having interior surfaces (55, 85) that define a plurality of external portion apertures (61, 94). The exterior surfaces (58, 88) of sidewalls of neighboring reinforcing structures together define a plurality of external portion recesses (64, 98) that are dimensioned to receive extensions from a separate article, thereby forming interlocks there-between. With the panel assembly (3) of the present invention, at least two molded panels (e.g.

Abstract: A blood pumping system to support living organisms based on a spherical multi vane and multi chamber pump with an oscillating motion that delivers pulsatile flow. The blood pumping system includes a number of design elements that address the particular needs and compatibility issues (both biological and hemological) of a blood pumping system.

Abstract: A support structure (1) that includes a support panel (11), at least one pile (14) having associated therewith at least one bracket (17) and at least one mounting strap (20). Each bracket (17) includes a lower portion (70), at least one extension (91, 92) extending upward from the lower portion (70), and a retainer (85) extending outward from a first surface (73) of the lower portion (70). The retainer (85) of the bracket (17) is received within an aperture (67) of an apertured sidewall (64, 215, 218) of the pile (14). At least one mounting strap (20, 23) maintains: the first surface (73) of the lower portion (70) of the bracket (17) in abutting relationship with the apertured sidewall (64) of the pile; and the retainer (85) within the aperture (67) thereof. A first surface (94) of the extension (91, 92) of the bracket (17) and the apertured sidewall (64) of the pile (14) together define a vertical slot (112) having an open top (115) and a closed bottom (118).

Abstract: A rotary fluid machine, such as a pump or motor has a housing with a spherical interior in which primary and secondary vanes rotate with the secondary vane reciprocating between open and closed positions with respect to the primary vane. Improvements to this type of fluid machine are defined to improve the rigidity of the internals while removing heat generated by compression as well as providing facile conversion of the machine from a liquid pump to a gas compressor, to provide for multiple flow streams at multiple flow rates in a single machine, multiple flow streams at multiple compression ratios in a single machine, and dual simultaneous function as a motor and a compressor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for developing and using a high-speed adaptive multivariable controller by removing the dynamics of the PID controllers from a Model Predictive Controller that was developed using identification testing of a process. The resulting multivariable controller, based on final control elements as the manipulated variables is then used in a novel control adaptation with all of the PID controllers switched to manual.

Abstract: A biometric based system with advanced security and privacy characteristics for the verification of a person's identity using neural net engine simulation software code and neural net weights obtained from a computer enrollment system and ported into any electronic device with an embedded microprocessor and memory. The neural net structure has both inter and intra layer connections of all nodes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing the dynamics of the PID controllers from a Model Predictive Controller that was developed using identification testing of a process. This allows creation of valve-based off-line process simulators and provides methods to generate new MPC controllers for complex multivariable process control when a change has been made in any PID control configuration or tuning and to do so without having to conduct new identification testing of the process.

Abstract: The use of a pressure compensation system and composite polymer materials results in a new type of outboard sensor assembly, of the type used to monitor the status and location of towed array systems from boats. The inventive system is lower in cost, easier to manufacture in quantity, lighter weight, less likely to leak, and with a lower failure rate than conventional systems. The pressure compensation system makes use of a two (or more) phase slurry system to provide temperature compensation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a tracer function for networked cable systems used in information technology. A self contained and self powered indicator circuit is described that enables tracing the location of both ends of a networked cable without the use of external test equipment.

Abstract: A rotary fluid machine, such as a pump or motor, is provided with a fluid flow control mechanism that allows the flow of fluid to be easily and precisely controlled. The device has a housing with a spherical interior in which primary and secondary vanes rotate, with the secondary vane reciprocating between open and closed positions. The primary and secondary vanes define fluid chambers within the housing that communicate with inlet and outlet ports of the device. An adjustable fixed shaft, about which the secondary vane rotates, allows the degree of communication to be varied between the inlet and outlet ports and the chambers formed by the primary and secondary vanes. In this way, the flow rate or fluid capacity of the device, and even the direction of fluid flow, can be changed.