Abstract: A method for use in a power line communication systems for an electrical distribution system (1) to quickly and accurately poll electrical meters (6) installed at user facilities to determine if an outage has occurred at a facility. An outbound communications message is transmitted to the meter at the facility requesting a short response consisting of a bit pattern that is either partially or completely known to the receiver. Any perceived response from the meter is then processed to ascertain whether or not the meter actually transmitted a message. Receipt of a message indicates that an outage has not occurred at that site, while an indication the message was not received indicates an outage has likely occurred. In processing the received message, two types of errors can potentially occur; i.e., a false positive or a false negative. A false positive occurs when a detection algorithm used to process the response indicates that the meter sent a response when actually it did not.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target attached to the vehicle wheel, the optical target having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of visible features defining target elements arranged in a known geometric and spatial configuration relative to each other across at least two surfaces. A two-dimensional image of the optical target is acquired by an imaging system to detect a plurality of target element images corresponding to the plurality of target elements. A spatial orientation of the optical target and an alignment of the vehicle wheel is then determined from the plurality of target element images and the known geometric and spatial configuration of the plurality of target elements on the target surfaces.

Abstract: A machine classification learning method titled Generalized Reduced Error Logistic Regression (RELR) is presented. The method overcomes significant limitations in prior art logistic regression and other machine classification learning methods. The method is applicable to all current applications of logistic regression, but has significantly greater accuracy using smaller sample sizes and larger numbers of input variables than other machine classification learning methods including prior art logistic regression.

Abstract: A geared fluid drive arrangement in which a constant speed motor is used to start a “full-size” boiler feed pump, and is able to operate the pump at a limited speed and correspondingly limited power adequate to fill, pressurize and feed water to a boiler such as would be used for an electrical generating plant to start-up and to operate stably at part load, but not necessarily full load. After the boiler is operating stably, steam from the boiler or from an extraction point of the main turbine is admitted to a mechanical drive steam turbine in order to drive the same “full-size” pump to the normal operating range.

Abstract: A weld joins a thin overlay of low carbon steel to a base that contains high carbon steel, at least at its surface along which the weld is formed. The weld may be effected by fusion (melting) or by solid-state diffusion. With either it creates a heat affected zone (HAZ) in the base around the weld. The HAZ contains enough austenite, and perhaps bainite as well, to render the HAZ relatively ductile and also crack resistant. Adjacent to the weld the HAZ has a hardness that does not exceed 58 HRC. The weld may be produced with a high energy beam or with resistance welding equipment.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for use with minimally invasive surgery. The imaging system comprises a platform which is anchored to a wall of a patient cavity. The platform comprises a plurality of transceivers which transmit energy toward the surgical site and receive reflected energy. The transceivers transmit rasterized image information to a computer which then displays the image information in real time, enabling a surgeon to view the surgical site on a display device. The transceivers can transmit and receive different types of energy, and the computer can then combine image information from the various different energy types to provide overlaid images of the surgical site. In addition, the computer controls the relative positions of the transceivers so that the images provided to the surgeon will not be affected by movement of the platform or by movement of structures (i.e., organs) at the surgical site.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, step-and-repeat imprint lithography is effected by applying balanced pressing forces from both sides of a substrate. The pressing forces are substantially equal in amplitude and opposite in direction. With the pressing forces thus balanced, the fixture that steps and holds the substrate does not bear the load of imprinting. The balance allows use of a high resolution aligning stage to carry the substrate and to maintain high accuracy of positioning without being shifted by change of load. With this method, sufficient imprint pressure can be used to obtain high quality patterning, a thin and uniform residual layer, and a high fidelity pattern.

Abstract: An appliqué is described that includes a woven fabric that is stretchable in a single direction.

Abstract: A cushion 302 comprising a molded foam base 302 with an array of individual suspension elements 306 at the ischial area of the cushion. In one aspect the array of suspension elements is in a recess 307 in the top of the base and in another aspect the array of suspension elements is in an inner cavity 406 defined by the base. The suspension elements are arranged in a pattern wherein the longitudinal axis of each suspension element in the array is positioned at a right angle or parallel to the longitudinal axes of the adjacent suspension elements. Each suspension element has a displaceable load-bearing surface 14, a first end wall 20, a second end wall 22, and an optional bottom wall 30, with load-bearing surface and recited walls defining an inner chamber. The material thickness of the load-bearing surface generally is greater than the material thickness of the end walls whereby the end walls deflect outwardly toward the load-bearing surfaces of adjacent support elements under load.

Abstract: An animal grooming tool. The animal grooming tool comprises a handle having a proximal end, a distal end and a gripping portion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The handle delimits an internal channel disposed therein. The tool also comprises a brush head integrally attached to the distal end and extending therefrom, the brush head further delimiting the internal channel disposed therein. The brush head has a top wall, a bottom wall and sidewalls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a plurality of openings defined therethrough and communicating with the channel. The tool further comprises a stabilizer inserted into and extending within the channel. The stabilizer has an open first end, a closed second end and a body disposed between the open first end and the closed second end. The body has a plurality of apertures defined therethrough and aligned with the openings of the bottom wall.