Abstract: A nuclear reactor protection system includes a plurality of functionally independent modules, each of the modules configured to receive a plurality of inputs from a nuclear reactor safety system, and logically determine a safety action based at least in part on the plurality of inputs; and one or more nuclear reactor safety actuators communicably coupled to the plurality of functionally independent modules to receive the safety action determination based at least in part on the plurality of inputs.

Abstract: A thermal desorption system for remediating contaminated material in a zero oxygen environment by heating a gas and flowing the heated gas through a core heating conduit traversing the interior of a material compartment of a bin filled with contaminated material, redirecting the flow of heated gas from the core heating conduit to a space between the exterior of the bin and the interior of a bin housing insulator encapsulating the bin to provide dual indirect heating to the contaminated material within the bin, directing off gases of contaminated vapors released by desorption from the material to an exhaust header through a plurality of vapor outlets, and condensing the offgas in the exhaust header.

Abstract: A manipulator arm for moving a load from a first position at a first elevation, to a second position at a second elevation, provides a base and defines plural spaced apart axle holes. A fulcrum lever link formed of a channel beam defines plural spaced apart axle holes. A first load member, and two support members extend between, and pivotally interconnect, the base plate and the fulcrum lever link and define a quadrilateral lift frame about the pivotal interconnections. An actuator operatively communicates between the first load member and the fulcrum lever link and the fulcrum lever link provides mechanical advantage to the actuator to cause the quadrilateral lift frame to change from a first configuration at the first position to a second configuration at the second position.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for methods and systems for managing a parking area. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a parking authorization request from a parking lot user, the request specifying a parking stall identifier corresponding to a parking stall occupied by the users vehicle, the request further specifying a parking duration parameter identifying a time duration the user's vehicle can occupy the stall; determining a parking duration rule for the stall based on the parking duration parameter, the rule indicating a parking expiration time; at a first time, receiving a first data associated with the parking stall identifier, the first data comprising an occupancy parameter indicating a presence or absence of a parked vehicle at the identified stall; if the occupancy parameter indicates a presence of a parked vehicle, generate a citation alert for the stall if the first time exceeds the parking expiration time.

Abstract: An electrical switch for providing power from a power source to a component may include a voltage supervisor having an input and an output, a voltage divider, electrically coupled between the input of the voltage supervisor and ground, an RC filter electrically coupled to the output of the voltage supervisor, and a field-effect transistor having a first terminal coupled to the RC filter and a second terminal coupled to an output of the switch, the output configured to be electrically coupled to the component. A switch may additionally or alternatively include a light source electrically that emits light when power is provided from the input of the switch to the component, the light source arranged proximate a fuse so as to illuminate the fuse.

Abstract: A system includes a redox flow battery system that includes an anolyte having chromium ions in solution, a catholyte having iron ions in solution, a first half-cell having a first electrode in contact with the anolyte, a second half-cell having a second electrode in contact with the catholyte, and a first separator separating the first half-cell from the second half-cell. The system also includes a balance arrangement that includes a balance electrolyte having vanadium ions in solution, a third half-cell having a third electrode in contact with the anolyte or the catholyte, a fourth half-cell having a fourth electrode in contact with the balance electrolyte, and a reductant in the balance electrolyte or introducible to the balance electrolyte for reducing dioxovanadium ions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting ground faults in a power transmission circuit powering a load. The system includes a common mode union that is connected to a positive terminal of a power supply and a negative terminal of the power supply. The power supply may be a bifurcated symmetrical power source. A power supply symmetry circuit is connected to the common mode union and a offset threshold comparator circuit is connected to the power supply symmetry circuit. The offset threshold comparator circuit is configured to compare a signal from the power supply symmetry circuit to a threshold voltage value and generate a ground-fault signal indicating a ground fault when the signal from the power supply symmetry circuit exceeds a threshold voltage value. A local load control circuit is connected to the offset threshold comparator circuit and configured to receive a signal from the offset threshold comparator circuit.

Abstract: A storm water capture and filtration system may secure in a catch basin or other area subject to flows of water from streets, channels, and the like as a result of run off from storms. A filter system may include a capture portion including attachment mechanisms, a funnel, various supports, and a filter hanger designed and calculated to capture all water entering a storm water inlet and directing it toward a bag filter. A gap is provided between a funnel and filter hanger in order to provide accommodation for overflow, while an anti-backflow skirt on the filter bag resists flushing of captured pollution out of the bag in overflow condition.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a cooked egg product includes an automated egg cracker that receives the raw, shelled eggs from the infeed conveyor and removes the shells from the eggs; a cooking conveyor having a plurality of cooking pans that receives the whole eggs and induction heats the cooking pans sufficiently to completely cook the eggs contained in the cooking pans, resulting in cooked eggs; a pasteurization tunnel that receives the cooked eggs in the cooking pans from the induction heater; and a control that actuates the pasteurization tunnel to heat the surfaces of the eggs to a pasteurization temperature. A freezer freezes the cooked and pasteurized eggs, and a packaging machine packages the frozen, cooked and pasteurized eggs. Alternatively, the induction cooked eggs are frozen after cooking and individually vacuum packaged, sous vide heated to a pasteurization temperature, then chilled or frozen for storage or shipment.

Abstract: A coupled cavity traveling wave tube has periodic permanent magnet (PPM) RF cavity structures, each of which has a plurality of permanent magnets placed substantially equidistant from a central axis, and which are outside the extent of a plurality of electron beam tunnels arranged substantially equidistant from the central axis and within the extents of the plurality of permanent magnets. Each coupled cavity RF structure is formed by adjacent ferrous polepieces and a cylindrical wall which is beyond the extent of one or more coupling apertures which couple RF energy from one coupled cavity structure to an adjacent RF cavity.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed to a liquid purification assembly featuring an inclined cell separator located within a chamber. The separator features a plurality of plates oriented perpendicular between opposing spaced-apart substantially vertical weirs. The plurality of plates are substantially parallel to one another and extend longitudinally within the chamber. The first and second weirs can have a plurality of orifices extending therethrough between their front and rear surfaces. The chamber features an influent chamber, an effluent chamber and a sediment collection area along the bottom of the chamber below the cell separator. A net extending from the top edge of the first weir and over a portion of the cell separator is further provided. The assembly features a hinged baffle suspended below the bottom edge of the second weir.

Abstract: A method is described for the atmospheric pressure sintering of silicon to form high density polycrystalline silicon preforms that optionally may be annealed at higher temperatures to form wafers suitable for use in solar cells. The preforms are formed from nanometer scale, high surface area silicon that is sintered to form the near “full density” polycrystalline silicon preforms. Subsequent annealing of the preforms may be used to grow grains suitable for use as wafers for solar cells. The polycrystalline silicon may be used directly to form semiconductor structures other than wafers suitable for solar cells, such as to form electrodes, electrode surfaces, and thermoelectric devices.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of dyeing fibers, and dyed fibers and textiles made using the methods. The methods involve contacting a fiber with a dye liquor at a dye liquor temperature of about 30° C. to 115° C. to form a dyed fiber, wherein the dye liquor components include at least N,N?-diacetyl indigo and a salt solution having ionic strength of about 0.03 M (moles/liter) to 1 M and pH of about 3 to 8 at 20° C. The contacting is generally carried out for a contact period of about 10 seconds to 30 minutes, for example by immersing the fiber in the heated dye liquor. By using the disclosed methods, N,N?-diacetyl indigo is substantially uniformly distributed on the dyed fiber to provide intense, vibrant colors affixed thereto. Dyed textiles display substantially uniform color.

Abstract: Bi-specific fusion proteins with therapeutic uses are provided, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such fusion proteins, and methods for using such fusion proteins to repair or regenerate damaged or diseased tissue.

Abstract: The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley 1602’ is provided. The variety a selection resulting from seedlings from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4609’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 59,468). The variety can be distinguished by its outstanding features of strong plant growth vigor, upright to semi-upright plant growth habit, low chilling requirement, very early to early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large to very large, sweet, firm, crisp fruit suited to handling, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

Abstract: The new blueberry plant variety ‘FC13-083’ is provided. ‘FC13-083’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh fruit market. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘ZF06-050’ (female parent, not patented) and ‘ZF06-013’ (male parent, not patented), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Abstract: The new blueberry plant variety ‘FC13-122’ is provided. ‘FC13-122’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh fruit market. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘ZF06-050’ (female parent, not patented) and ‘ZF06-013’ (male parent, not patented), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Abstract: The new blueberry plant variety ‘FCM14-052’ is provided. ‘FCM14-052’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh market. The new blueberry plant originated from a cross of ‘FL01-06’ (female parent, not patented) by FL06-556 (pollen parent, U.S. Pat. No. 27,771). ‘FCM14-052’ selected because it flowered and fruited more than most genotypes in a low latitude, zero chill evergreen production system and had large fruit with a small picking scar. ‘FCM14-052’ also produces significant numbers of flower buds in a zero chill climate, resulting in a concentrated harvest window.

Abstract: The new blueberry plant variety ‘ZF08-029’ is provided. ‘ZF08-029’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh fruit market. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘G-344’ (female parent, not patented) and ‘Draper’ (male parent, U.S. Pat. No. 15,103), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.