Abstract: A fuel-free spacecraft propelling system having an open-ended outer cylinder of a propelling device and an atomic oxygen collecting device is disclosed. The latter is arranged at the forwardly-propelled front end of the outer cylinder and is hermetically connected with an RF generating device and an ion cyclotron wave heating device through a magnetic confinement device. A spiral wave discharge oxygen plasma inlet and a spiral wave discharge oxygen plasma outlet in the ion cyclotron wave heating device are respectively provided with another magnetic confinement device. The propulsion of the invention does not need to carry the propellant, which greatly reduces the launch costs, and enables a spacecraft to advantageously have an increased orbit life over existing spacecraft systems.

Abstract: An egg-breaking system is provided that includes a plurality of nodes arranged in which one or more cracker assemblies are disposed. The nodes are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns within the egg-breaking system. The egg-breaking system can be used in an egg processing line in which eggs are subjected to a variety of processing steps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing a system operating in a first mode of operation include detecting an event associated with a cycle in a first mode of operation. When the cycle ends (i.e., when another event is detected), steady state criteria is applied to determine whether data associated with the cycle satisfies the steady state criteria. Optimization targets can be calculated based on the data associated with the cycle. Control signals including the optimization targets can be applied to a next cycle operating in the first mode of operation to improve process performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to regulate the use and removal of freight. The apparatus includes a sensing element, a stoppage element, and at least one actuator. The sensing element is operable to determine the presence of freight. Stoppage element can alternate between a first condition configured to impede freight removal and a second condition configured to permit freight removal. The presence of freight maintains stoppage element in the first condition absent engagement of the at least one actuator and engagement of the at least one actuator switches stoppage element to the second condition when freight is present.

Abstract: A tool includes a handle that defines an axis, a stabilizer mounted along a length of the handle and a hook mounted to the handle, the hook angled with respect to the handle.

Abstract: Feeds containing triglycerides are processed to produce a diesel fuel product and propylene. The diesel product and propylene are generated by deoxygenating the triglyceride-containing feed using processing conditions that enhance preservation of olefins that are present in the triglycerides. The triglyceride-containing feed is processed in the presence of a catalyst containing a Group VI metal and a Group VIII non-noble metal and in the presence of CO.

Abstract: A device for the drive control of a two-cylinder thick matter pump has a diverter which is arranged in a material charging container and a motor-driven hydraulic variable displacement pump, via which both the drive cylinders of the thick matter pump and the drive mechanism of the diverter are controlled. An adjusting throttle is arranged in a pressure line between the high-pressure outlet of the variable displacement pump and the drive cylinders of the thick matter pump. A control line which leads to an adjusting mechanism of the variable displacement pump is coupled back from the pressure line downstream of the adjusting throttle. A connecting line which leads to a supply connector of the diverter hydraulics and in which a fixedly adjusted throttle can be arranged is branched off from the pressure line upstream of the adjusting throttle.

Abstract: Magnetorheological transmission device and method for influencing the coupling intensity of two components, which can be coupled and whose coupling intensity can be influenced. A channel is provided, which contains a magnetorheological medium with magnetically polarizable particles, which can be influenced by a magnetic field. A magnetic field generating unit generates a magnetic field in the channel in order to influence the magnetorheological medium in the channel. A body is disposed in the channel. A free distance between the body and the component is at least ten times greater than a typical mean diameter of the magnetically polarizable particles in the magnetorheological medium. A space with magnetorheological medium is disposed between the body and a component. The magnetic field is applied to the region in order to optionally chain together the particles and/or wedge or release them with the body.

Abstract: A wire processing machine includes a signal applicator that applies a sensing signal to a section of wire. When the signal applicator is applying the sensing signal to the wire core of a section of wire, the wire processing machine is actuated to move a pair of wire processing blades until the wire processing blades contact the wire core. When the blades contact the wire core, the wire core is grounded, which is sensed by the control unit of the device. The position of the wire processing blades when the wire core is grounded is used to determine the diameter of the wire core.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for storing and generating oxygen from a low temperature oxygen generating liquid. The oxygen storage method may use lithium chlorate plus water to store oxygen wherein all solids that may be present enter solution for delivery as a liquid to a reaction vessel. The oxygen production method may be a batch process with steps to heat the liquid, boil out the water, thermally decompose the lithium chlorate and then rinse out the remaining product. The apparatus for oxygen generation may use multiple reaction vessels operating sequentially to produce a continuous flow of oxygen with a rinse step in a separate area from the heat application area to remove end product solid. The device for oxygen storage includes a storage vessel and is configured to heat the oxygen generating liquid using waste heat present in the rinse liquid.

Abstract: An aircraft store ejector systems and subsystems thereof. Embodiments can include a two-reservoir re-pressurization system wherein a remote reservoir is used to maintain desired pressure in a local ejector reservoir. The system can include a release valve having a vent valve and valve piston. The release valve can control release of pressurized gas to a pitch control valve. The pitch control valve can be configured to distribute the pressurized gas between two or more ejector piston assemblies. One or more of the ejector piston assemblies can include multiple concentric piston stages and piston chambers, the piston chambers configured to contain a volume of gas. The ejector piston assemblies can be configured to compress the volume of gas within the piston chambers as the piston stages are extended out from the aircraft. Such compression can provide a return force to the piston stages.

Abstract: Thermally annealed superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles of an iron oxide core and a silicon dioxide shell having high magnetic saturation are provided. A magnetic core of high magnetic moment obtained by compression sintering the thermally annealed superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles is also provided. The magnetic core has little core loss due to hysteresis or eddy current flow.

Abstract: A power sliding window assembly for a motor vehicle. The assembly can include a back window casing with a first window pane and a second window pane fixedly attached to the casing. A generally U-shaped guide rail can be at least partially encased within the window casing and be adjacent to the first window pane and the second window pane. A third window pane can have a portion fixedly attached to a glass carrier and the glass carrier can be located at least partially within and slidably engaged with the generally U-shaped guide rail. Located at least partially within the generally U-shaped guide rail can be a first stopper and a second stopper with the first and second stoppers providing for desired placement of the third window pane when it is in a closed position and a fully open position.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for measuring radioactivity without loss of radioactive particles. The apparatus includes a sampler that collects a radioactive sample from an exhaust pipe, a sample detector that is provided adjacent to the exhaust pipe and includes a particle collecting filter and a first radioactivity detector, a sample transporting pipe that extends from the sample detector and transports the radioactive sample from which the radioactive particles have been removed, a sample transporting pump that is provided at the sample transporting pipe, and a gaseous radioactivity detector that is provided at the sample transporting pipe and detects a radioactivity of the radioactive sample from which the radioactive particles have been removed. The particle collecting filter filters out the radioactive particles from the radioactive sample and the first radioactivity detector detects a radioactivity of the radioactive particles filtered out by the particle collecting filter.

Abstract: To provide a vertical centrifugal separation apparatus which recovers a centrifuged liquid with a reduced loss and is suitable for when a target is the centrifuged liquid, and a method of recovering the centrifuged liquid. In performing centrifugation, the liquid to be processed is supplied from a lower portion of a cylindrical rotational tube which rotates about a vertical axis, and the centrifuged liquid is discharged and recovered from an upper portion of the cylindrical rotational tube. When the centrifugation is stopped for cleaning the cylindrical rotational tube, for example, the cylindrical rotational tube is set to a first overturn position to recover the remaining centrifuged liquid, and then the cylindrical rotational tube is set to a second overturn position to pull the tube out of the casing. Such a structure allows the recovery of the centrifuged liquid as the target with a reduced loss and without waste.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for retrofit hydrolization of seawater for production of halogen biocides in situ. A method for effecting an in situ generation of biocide as an aid in anti-biofouling of a device disposed in a volume of salt water includes a) associating a cathode electrode to the device; b) associating an anode electrode to the device with the anode electrode spaced apart from the cathode electrode; and c) hydrolyzing one or more components in the volume of salt water to generate a halogen biocide at the anode electrode with the biocide flowing from the anode electrode away from the cathode electrode as a biocide film, the film responsive to a physical arrangement of the associations of the electrodes with the device.

Abstract: A chamfered narrow side copper plate for a mold with a funnel-shaped curved surface has a working face contacting molten steel that includes a middle area and two chamfered areas, which are arranged at two sides. The working face has a funnel-shaped curved surface, which is larger at a top and smaller at a bottom. The chamfered narrow side copper plate for mold with funnel-shaped curved surface can ensure the uniformity of the cooling effect of the chamfered surface and enhance the service life of the narrow side copper plate.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle includes a fore-body and a flexible aft. The flexible aft includes a flexible body. The flexible body includes a spring body including a spring element extending along a main axis, and a cavity. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A vehicle including a lower reinforcement assembly for a front pillar assembly includes a rocker outer reinforcement member that extends in a vehicle lengthwise direction and includes a vertically oriented face. An upper portion extends inwardly from the face in a vehicle widthwise direction and a lower portion extends inwardly from the face in the vehicle widthwise direction thereby defining a vehicle lengthwise extending cavity. A front pillar lower reinforcement member is connected to the rocker outer reinforcement member. The front pillar lower reinforcement member includes an upwardly extending pillar portion and a lengthwise extending rocker portion having a vertically oriented face that extends downwardly terminating at the face of the outer reinforcement member at a lower edge that extends in the vehicle lengthwise direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a neural sensing device and method for making the same. The neural sensing device includes a base, an integrated circuit portion and a plurality of microprobes. The base has an active surface and a backside surface. The integrated circuit portion is disposed on the active surface of the base. The microprobes protrude from the backside surface of the base. The conductive vias are disposed in the microprobes and electrically connected to the integrated circuit portion.