Abstract: A drainage system for drying frac sand without heat comprises multiple layers through which liquid passes to dewater sand resting on the drainage system. At the bottom of the drainage system, perforated collection pipes, at least partially surrounded by rocks, collect the liquid and carry it to a collection pond for reuse. A cellular confinement layer comprises sections of panels which, upon expansion, have cells filled with rocks. A woven monofilament geotextile fabric layer comprising woven monofilament geotextile fabric sheets sewn together has sized openings which allow fluid, but prevent sand from passing through the openings. The top layer comprises perforated sheets of high density polyethylene welded together. A watertight liner sits below the perforated collection pipes and below the cellular confinement layer. Protective layers above and below the watertight liner prevent rocks from damaging the watertight liner.

Abstract: A particle sizing system is provided that includes an optical source generating a light beam for illuminating particles in a monitored volume, a plurality of light deflectors, each positioned to receive and deflect light scattered by the particles, and an image capture device collecting scattered light deflected by each light deflector. The image capture device outputs an image including a plurality of sub-images, each generated from the collected light deflected from a respective one of the light deflectors. Each particle is imaged as a spot in each sub-image, the plurality of spots associated with each particle corresponding to a plurality of scattering angles. The system also includes a processing unit configured to identify the spots associated with the each particle in the sub-images, compute a spot parameter associated with each spot, and determine the size of each particle from its related spot parameters. A particle sizing method is also provided.

Abstract: A crossbow in some embodiments may include two power cables and two power cable wheels. Each power cable may extend from a bowstring wheel, to a power cable wheel and then back to the bowstring wheel. A crossbow in some other embodiments may include four power cables and two power cable wheels. Each power cable may extend from a bowstring wheel, to a power cable wheel and then to a portion of the crossbow that does not move relative to the main beam.

Abstract: A filament straightener, an additive manufacturing machine including a filament straightener, and methods of straightening a filament are provided. The filament straightener includes abase member, a plurality of guide members attached to the base member. The plurality of guide members defines a filament flow path therebetween. The filament flow path extends between an inlet end and an outlet end. The guide members are spaced relative to the filament flow path to cause a filament passing along the filament flow path between the inlet end and the outlet end to experience a plurality of bends to remove curvature memory.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses for holding an endoscope handle and locking out an angulation lever of an endoscope handle. Given by way of illustration only and not of limitation, in an embodiment an illustrative apparatus includes: a frame; a support mechanism attached to the frame and configured to hold thereon an endoscope handle having an angulation lever; an attachment device configured to hold an endoscope handle in place on the support mechanism; and an angulation lever engagement mechanism configured to prevent an angulation lever of an endoscope handle from returning to a neutral position.

Abstract: A heater includes: a conductive ceramic cylinder tube provided with a plurality of cells, each cell being defined by a pair of first cell-walls and a pair of second cell-walls, each first cell-wall extending in a radial direction of the ceramic cylinder tube, and each second cell-wall extending so as to cross the radial direction of the ceramic cylinder tube; an inner electrode electrically coupled to an inner wall of the ceramic cylinder tube; and an outer electrode electrically coupled to an outer wall of the ceramic cylinder tube. Linear portions are radially arranged in the ceramic cylinder tube, each linear portion linearly extending in the radial direction of the ceramic cylinder tube so as to include a plurality of first cell-walls that are arranged on the same axial line that extends in the radial direction of the ceramic cylinder tube. The inner and outer electrodes are provided such that current flows radially at least via said linear portions between the inner and outer electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented comprising an endoscope including a flexible shaft which has an active deflection section at a distal tip, a handle connected to a proximal end of the flexible shaft, a platform mounted to a top portion of the handle and oriented substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of a straight portion of the flexible shaft to provide a substantially straight entry into a working channel of the flexible shaft for an output accessory, a stone retrieval device insertable into the proximal end of the working channel of the endoscope, a lithotripsy shaft including one or more guide features at a distal end of the lithotripsy shaft to facilitate passage of wires or filaments of the stone retrieval device there through, and a lithotripsy shaft driver attached to the platform for driving the lithotripsy shaft under power.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating ocular diseases and certain respiratory diseases using the compound 5-ethyl-2-fluoro-4-(3-(5-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indazol-6-yl)phenol or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A heater may include: a conductive ceramic cylinder tube in which cell-arrays are concentrically arranged, each cell-array including cells which are arranged in a circumstance direction of the ceramic cylinder tube; an inner electrode electrically coupled to an inner wall portion of the ceramic cylinder tube; and an outer electrode electrically coupled to an outer wall portion of the ceramic cylinder tube. Non-linear portions are radially arranged in the ceramic cylinder tube, each non-linear portion extending in a radial direction of the ceramic cylinder tube while having a plurality of bends or curves between the inner wall portion and outer wall portion of the ceramic cylinder tube. The inner and outer electrodes are provided such that current flows radially at least via said non-linear portions between the inner and outer electrodes.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a modular construction mat system wherein each individual mat is made of two layers to support heavy loads while providing stability and ground protection. In use the finished mats can then be adjoined to adjacent mats to complete a large mat system for roadways, walkways, and other support structures using a unique floating nut system to create a single firmly joined modular mat system.

Abstract: A roulette wagering system is described that includes a roulette machine configured to operate live roulette games in which a roulette ball is launched into an angled annular track encircling a roulette wheel. A controller associated with the roulette machine may regulate one or more inertial values associated with the roulette ball. A bet close time of a betting window associated with the live roulette games may be determined based on the one or more inertial values associated. A rotation velocity of the roulette wheel may be adjusted subsequent to a bet close time of a live roulette games. Game cycle events may be detected using audio associated with the live roulette games and audible and/or visual effects may be generated based on the audio. A controller associated with the roulette machine may synchronizes the live roulette games operated by the roulette machine with live roulette games operated by one or more additional roulette machines. Bets may be placed based on a player selected betting risk level.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to circuits, systems, and methods of operation for a memory device. In an example, a memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell having a variable impedance that varies in accordance with a respective data value stored therein; and a read circuit configured to read the data value stored within a selected memory cell based upon a variable time delay determination of a signal node voltage change corresponding to the variable impedance of the selected memory cell.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for managing information objects in dynamic data storage devices including a first data storage device having a plurality of information objects, a second data storage device operatively connectable to an output device for providing at least some of the information objects to at least one user, and at least one processor operatively coupled to the first data storage device and the second data storage device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic connector, particularly for a motor vehicle windscreen wiper system. The connector is designed to be mounted on a wiper blade fitted with a perforated pipe carrying cleaning and de-icing fluid, and comprises at least one inlet coupling suitable for connection to a fluid feed, and at least one distributor provided with at least one outlet coupling designed to be connected to the perforated pipe. The connector also includes at least one internal path for carrying the fluid from the inlet coupling to the distributor. Thus, by means of the presence of the internal path through the connector, the inlet coupling can be positioned at various locations on the connector, without feeding directly into the distributor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device for characterization of a sample (3) comprising —a source (5) of parallel or collimated light, having an emission spectrum that is continuous over an observation wavelength range of at least 50 nm width, for illuminating the sample (3), —a detector (7) of light scattered by the sample (3), operating in said observation wavelength range, —a filter (9) for specific spectral weighting arranged on an optical path upstream of the detector (7) of the scattered light, and —a processing unit (11) for processing the measurement signal in order to extract a characterization parameter of the sample (3).

Abstract: A washing machine hydraulic leveling device comprises hydraulic feet, wherein each hydraulic foot comprises a fixed part and a movable part, a hollow chamber is formed between the fixed part and the movable part, and the hollow chamber is provided with a hydraulic medium; two said hydraulic feet communicate with each other through high-pressure oil pipes: the hydraulic medium flows under pressure between the hollow chambers of the hydraulic feet to drive the movable parts to extend and retract, thereby implementing automatic leveling; and the fixed parts are provided with oil nipples communicating with the hollow chambers, and the oil nipples of the two hydraulic feet are connected to a same connecting piece through the high-pressure oil pipes, thereby implementing communication between the two hydraulic feet.