Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to pairing a receiver with an emitter based on a presence of an amplitude of a spectral profile at at least one predetermined frequency. In an illustrative example, a receiver may receive, from the emitter, an emitted optical signal modulated by the at least one predetermined frequency. A receiver may, for example, generate a digital signal corresponding to the optical signal received. A controller may, for example, generate the spectral profile from the digital signal. The controller may, for example, apply a predetermined threshold to the spectral profile. The controller may, for example, generate an output signal based on the presence of the amplitude of the spectral profile above the first predetermined threshold at the at least one predetermined frequency. Various embodiments may advantageously discriminate a corresponding emitter to establish an optical source-to-detector-link, for example, in the presence of other emitters and/or optically noisy environments.

Abstract: A fuse includes: an element including a plurality of narrow portions each of which becomes a starting point of fusion cutting; a pair of terminals connected by the element; and a case housing the element, in which the element has a curved surface, and is disposed in a tube shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a safety control system having a processor that (1) automatically interrogates a portable data storage device, (2) determines whether a configuration profile of the safety control system matches a stored configuration profile in the portable data storage device, (3) obtains network settings of the safety control system, and (4) stores network settings into the portable data storage device. In an illustrative example, a safety control system may include a processor designed to perform operations to configure the safety control system with a configuration profile stored in the portable data storage device or download network settings of the safety control system to the portable data storage device under some predetermined conditions. By using the above method, the safety control system may be quickly configured, and network settings may be easily obtained and backed up.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a method of non-contact motion detection. A one-dimensional optical sensor detects motion of a target or objects on a conveyor belt through a continuous measurement of targets or objects and a real-time comparison of the pixel images captured by the one-dimensional optical sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, a one-dimensional sensor may be configured to determine motion of objects based on changes to the captured intensities of pixel images over time. The sensor may continually capture photoelectric pixel images and compare a current pixel image with a previous pixel image to determine a frame differential image value. The frame differential image value is evaluated against a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time period. Based on the evaluation, a signal is output indicating whether the objects on the conveyor belt are moving or jammed.

Abstract: An aiming device is provided including an illumination device and an optical element wherein the illumination device projects a primary dot and at least one secondary alignment dot distal from the primary dot to aid a user in obtaining a view of the primary dot when the aiming device is in an aligned mode, the primary dot is visible within a field of view of the user, but the secondary alignment dot is not visible. When the aiming device is in a misaligned mode, the secondary alignment dot is visible to the user, but the primary dot is not. The secondary alignment dot provides instruction to the user to realign the aiming device relative to the field of view of the user so that the aiming device transitions to the aligned mode. A related method of operation is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a side-mounted field-installable indication module (SMFIIM) configured to reflect a status of a manufacturing area (e.g., a status of a machine, status of a light curtain). In an illustrative example, the SMFIIM may include a light emitting module configured to emit a visual indicium corresponding to the status of the manufacturing area, and a coupling member configured to be releasably captured within a longitudinally extending channel of a housing of a light curtain. After installation, for example, the SMFIIM may be disposed on a side of and substantially parallel to the housing. The light emitting module may emit the visual indicium in an emitting plane oriented at an angle less than 90° to a plane tangential to a mounting surface of the light curtain housing. Various embodiments may advantageously provide a wide viewing angle of the light emitting module around the lighting curtain.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a wiring schema with more than one safety device sharing at least one test signal through one or more external terminal blocks when the number of terminals required by safety devices exceeds the number of available terminals of a safety controller. In an illustrative example, the method may include determining a total number of terminals A of safety devices to be connected to a safety evaluation device having a number of terminals B. If A is greater than B, the method may then include generating a wiring schema that one or more external terminal blocks may show indicia of electrical connections between an identified set of safety devices and a shared terminal of the safety evaluation device associated with that set. Various embodiments may advantageously expand a number of devices possible to be connected beyond a number of terminals.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to pairing a receiver with an emitter based on a presence of an amplitude of a spectral profile at at least one predetermined frequency. In an illustrative example, a receiver may receive, from the emitter, an emitted optical signal modulated by the at least one predetermined frequency. A receiver may, for example, generate a digital signal corresponding to the optical signal received. A controller may, for example, generate the spectral profile from the digital signal. The controller may, for example, apply a predetermined threshold to the spectral profile. The controller may, for example, generate an output signal based on the presence of the amplitude of the spectral profile above the first predetermined threshold at the at least one predetermined frequency. Various embodiments may advantageously discriminate a corresponding emitter to establish an optical source-to-detector-link, for example, in the presence of other emitters and/or optically noisy environments.

Abstract: An electrically powered, self-propelled cart for safely delivering heavy loads, such as concrete, within job sites with unlevel, irregular, or sloped terrain. A cargo bucket is tiltable over front drive wheels for transporting and dumping cargo. Electric drive motors associated with a transaxle propel wheels at a selectable speed in response to an electric control module. A steering column rotates in response to manually operated handle bars and activates a sensor to generate signals delivered to the control module for throttle adjustments. The sensor may be a linear potentiometer, a rotary differential transformer or a rotary encoder or shaft encoder measuring angular displacement. Extreme steering displacements will electrically reduce cart speed notwithstanding the previous speed setting chosen by the operator through the steering column.

Abstract: Provided is a use of mesenchymal stem cells in the preparation of a drug for repairing lung damage caused by COVID-19. It is proved by clinical tests for the first time that mesenchymal stem cells have an excellent effect on repair of lung damage in subjects with viral pneumonia, especially severe pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, and can significantly reduce solid component lesion volume of the subjects, and repair lung tissue; moreover, it is proved by means of a six minute walking test that mesenchymal stem cells can significantly repair the subjects' cardiopulmonary function, so that the aerobic exercise capacity is significantly improved, thereby effectively alleviating sequelae of the subjects after the end of antiviral treatment, and improving health and quality of life of the subjects; in addition, mesenchymal stem cells are highly safe, and no obvious adverse reactions have been found.

Abstract: A concrete finishing and forming machine adapted for rail trackbed deck construction accommodates various plinths and channels needed for light rail construction. The adjustably configurable machine comprises a rigid frame disposed above a deck by vertically upright, adjustable jack stands supported at their bottoms by wheeled, powered bogies adapted to traverse upon suitable rails on opposite sides of the deck. The jack-stands may be connected to supporting swing arms that extend from pivot sleeves enabling the jack stands to angularly swing out from the frame. A slidable carriage that is longitudinally displaceable within the frame supports at least one downwardly extending, vertically adjustable paving head having a tool that, when immersed within wet concrete and then horizontally displaced, strikes off elongated, smoothed channels resembling pathways upon the concrete.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a volumetric measurement system using three dimensional (3D) ToF cameras. In an illustrative example, a VMS may include at least one 3D distance sensor unit for monitoring a volume of objects in a region of interest (ROI). The VMS may, for example, include a set of user-defined parameters including the ROI, and temporal distribution of measurement attributes associated with the ROI. In some implementations, the VMS may be activated to automatically generate a set of error compensated volumetrics. For example, the VMS may apply a 3D profile, generated based on signals received from the 3D distance sensor, to an error compensation model. Based on measurement attributes generated from applying the error compensation model, the VMS may, for example, generate a set of error compensated volumetrics. Various embodiments may advantageously compensate for errors including occlusion of objects from the 3D distance sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wafer notch leveling device, which comprises a body, a first rotating portion, a positioning portion, a power portion, and a control unit. The body has a support portion and a pivot portion is provided at each terminal of the body, the pivot portion pivotally connects a plurality of supporting arms. The first rotating portion and the positioning portion are electrically connected with the power portion. The power portion is electrically connected with the control unit. Especially, when a plurality of wafers are placed on the support portion and fixed, the first rotating portion is electrically connected with the power portion through the control unit to drive the plurality of wafers to rotate the wafers, a notch on the wafer is leveled through the positioning portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to enabling a radar system to use different sensing mechanisms to estimate a distance from a target based on different detection zones (e.g., far-field and near-field). In an illustrative example, a curve fitting method may be applied for near-field sensing, and a Fourier transform may be used for far-field sensing. A predetermined set of rules may be applied to select when to use the near-field sensing mechanism and when to use the far-field mechanism. The frequency of a target signal within a beat signal that has less than two sinusoidal cycles may be estimated with improved accuracy. Accordingly, the distance of a target that is within a predetermined distance range (e.g., two meters range for 24 GHz ISM band limitation) may be reliably estimated.

Abstract: The current technology relates to an in-line modular indicator assembly. Each of a plurality of in-line modular indicators are configured to be coupled in a series with a first electrical cable and a second electrical cable. The plurality of in-line modular indicators is configured to define an electrically conductive path to transmit electricity from the first electrical cable to the second electrical cable. Each of the in-line modular indicators have detection circuits having alternate configurations and notification devices configured to provide alternate notifications.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a wiring schema with more than one safety device sharing at least one test signal through one or more external terminal blocks when the number of terminals required by safety devices exceeds the number of available terminals of a safety controller. In an illustrative example, the method may include determining a total number of terminals A of safety devices to be connected to a safety evaluation device having a number of terminals B. If A is greater than B, the method may then include generating a wiring schema that one or more external terminal blocks may show indicia of electrical connections between an identified set of safety devices and a shared terminal of the safety evaluation device associated with that set. Various embodiments may advantageously expand a number of devices to be connected to the safety evaluation device.

Abstract: An unwind station for a packaging machine may be configured to form wrappers having different sizes from a web of packaging material and supply the wrapper to a wrapping station. The unwind station may include a base configured to support the web of packaging material and a carriage configured to selectively slide in a longitudinal direction on the base. A rotating blade can be configured to periodically score the web to form a break line extending between lateral sides of the web. A first conveyor arm and a second conveyor arm may project longitudinally outward from the carriage. The first conveyor arm and the second conveyor arm can each include a low-speed conveyor configured to transport the web to a high-speed conveyor. The high-speed conveyor is configured to separate the wrapper from the web as the break line passes a shear point between the low-speed conveyors and the high-speed conveyors.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a wiring schema with more than one safety device sharing at least one test signal through one or more external terminal blocks when the number of terminals required by safety devices exceeds the number of available terminals of a safety controller. In an illustrative example, the method may include determining a total number of terminals A of safety devices to be connected to a safety evaluation device having a number of terminals B. If A is greater than B, the method may then include generating a wiring schema that one or more external terminal blocks may show indicia of electrical connections between an identified set of safety devices and a shared terminal of the safety evaluation device associated with that set. By using the method, the number of devices that can be connected to the safety evaluation device may be expanded.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vibrational sensing system (VSS) including an accelerometer and a data processor, which determines an “operational state” of a mechanical drive unit, the processor further employing the “operational state” to gate learning of long-term vibrational data to exclude collection of non-operational data, the long-term data collected to calculate alarm thresholds. For example, vibrations from a target motor are sensed by a coupled accelerometer. Vibrational data from the accelerometer is fed into a data processor which determines the operational state of the motor. The operational state (e.g., on/off indication) may gate data collection such that data is only acquired during on-time, which may advantageously create accurate baselines from which alarm thresholds may be generated, and nuisance alarms may be avoided.