Abstract: A system includes a first controller configured to monitor processes associated with a process facility and to generate control data for optimizing the process facility. The system also includes a second controller configured to use stochastic calculus of variations calculations to modify at least a portion of the control data and provide one of (i) continuous supply chain control and optimization for the process facility and (ii) discrete supply chain control and optimization for the process facility. The system further includes third controllers configured to operate in accordance with the control data to control the processes and to optimize the process facility.

Abstract: A microfluidic circuit cartridge for a complete blood count, including analyses of red blood cells. Various parameters of the red blood cells may be attained. The cartridge may have sphering mechanism which has a channel or loop with a configuration for reducing or eliminating cell settling. The channel or loop may incorporate a combination of straight and curve paths in the context of gravity. The channel may alternatively have a hydrophilic or hydrophobic inside surface. Again alternatively, the channel may have an electro-wettable inside surface. Or, the channel may be subject to an electric or magnetic field. There may also be a mechanism for reducing or eliminating clumping of a sample.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, in a scanner, at least one radio-frequency (RF) signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner. The method also includes storing location information, corresponding to a location of the scanner, and signal strength information corresponding to the scanner. The method further includes calibrating location records according to the signal strength information and location information. There is also a system for calibrating location records. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to transmit an RF signal. The system also includes a scanner configured to receive at least one RF signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner, store location information corresponding to a location of the scanner, and store signal strength information corresponding to the scanner.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly is implemented with a gimbal assembly that includes a roll hub, a pitch hub, and a main hub. The gimbal assembly further includes a plurality of bearings, and is mounted via a plurality of bearing sets, that are each disposed in a free floating manner. As a result, each of the bearings is self-aligning and self-adjusting when the gimbal assembly is assembled and mounted. The gimbal assembly additionally includes a plurality of integral stops that mechanically limit movement of a user interface to predetermined pitch and roll angles.

Abstract: A multi-stage, multi-tube, shell-and-tube reactor which contains reaction zones and interstage temperature control (cooling/heating) zones in series. The reactor has at least two types of zones which both contribute to removing or supplying heat to the system depending on the system's need. The reactor will have a group of reaction zones which contain tubes packed with catalyst to progress the reaction and remove or supply heat simultaneously. There are also a number of interstage temperature control (cooling/heating) zones which are designed to supply or remove heat to or from the system. The positioning, number, and design of the zones will depend on the amount of temperature control desired and exothermic or endothermic nature of the processes to be conducted in the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention achieves a catalyst life improvement for the catalyzed vapor phase fluorination of a chlorocarbon in the presence of one catalyst and an oxygen feed. Specifically, in one non-limiting embodiment, the instant invention provides the conversion of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene and/or 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane to 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene by introduction of a catalyst and oxygen co-feed to the fluorination reactor.

Abstract: A method of making a resonating beam accelerometer (RBA). In an example process, a proof mass device and resonators are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the proof mass and the resonators by applying a predefined amount of pressure at a predefined temperature for a predefined amount of time. One or more damping plates are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the damping plates and the proof mass device. The proof mass device is created by applying a predefined amount of pressure at pressure at temperature to two bases, two proof mass portions, and a flexure. The proof mass bases are on opposite sides of the flexure. The proof mass portions are on opposite sides of the flexure. A gap is present between the proof mass bases and the proof mass portions.

Abstract: An automated method and related system of providing pre-flight briefing information to a remote user device are presented here. The system receives, from the remote user device via a data communication network, a customized pre-flight briefing request that includes a user-specified presentation format, a user-specified language, and a user-specified geographic region. In response to receiving the customized pre-flight briefing request, at least one data source is interrogated to obtain pre-flight briefing data. The pre-flight briefing data is processed in accordance with the user-specified presentation format, the user-specified language, and the user-specified geographic region, resulting in processed pre-flight briefing data. The system generates at least one presentation file from the processed pre-flight briefing data, and provides the at least one presentation file to the remote user device.

Abstract: An electrical power system may comprise a power source, an electrical load and an interconnection path between the power source and the electrical load. At least one power-source current transformer may be positioned at the power source. At least one remote current transformer may be positioned remotely from the power-source current transformer so that a portion of the interconnection path is between the power-source and the remote current transformer. A control circuit may be interposed between the power-source and remote current transformers and may be responsive to current imbalance between the power-source and remote current transformers to disconnect the power source from the electrical load in the event of such imbalance. The at least one power-source current transformer may comprise a secondary winding having first and second ends, and a resistor connected across the first and second ends.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a smudge-resistant film structure that comprises a plurality of transparent inorganic surface structures overlying a transparent substrate. A method for forming the film structure comprises providing a transparent substrate and forming a plurality of transparent surface structures overlying the transparent substrate, wherein each of the transparent surface structures comprises an inorganic material.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided for interfacing a digital controller with an analog input means. The system comprises a digital controller with the input of the digital controller coupled to the output of the analog-to-digital converter. The system further comprises a digital-to-analog converter coupled to an analog interface circuit. The analog interface circuit comprises a reconfigurable RC network switchably coupled to a first amplifier or to a second amplifier. The analog interface circuit further comprises a third amplifier having an input being coupled to an output of the second amplifier and the output of the third amplifier being coupled to the one or more input signal paths to the first amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor that receives a first electrical signal and provides a second electrical signal in response to the first electrical signal. The second electrical signal is based on at least one parameter monitored by the sensor. The apparatus also includes an antenna that converts first wireless signals into the first electrical signal and that converts the second electrical signal into second wireless signals. The antenna includes a substrate, conductive traces, and conductive interconnects. The conductive traces are formed on first and second surfaces of the substrate. The conductive interconnects couple the conductive traces, and the conductive interconnects and the conductive traces form at least one helical arm of the antenna. The conductive traces could be formed in various ways, such as by etching or direct printing. The conductive interconnects could also be formed in various ways, such as by filling vias in the substrate or direct printing.

Abstract: Provided are azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions of 2,3-dichloro-3,3-difluoropropene (HCFO-1232xf) and hydrogen fluoride (HF).

Abstract: A shadowing platforms and systems in a network with a remote platform are provided. The shadowing platform includes a shadow health management module and platform storage coupled to the shadow health management module. The shadow health management module is configured to receive health information from the remote platform; store the health information in the platform storage; receive status information from the remote platform; and provide the health information to the remote platform when the status information is unacceptable.

Abstract: A touch screen system is provided herein for use with a commanded system requiring high integrity. The touch screen system includes, but is not limited to, a display screen configured to present information to an operator. A sensor array is arranged proximate the display screen to detect a touch on the display screen and to generate a set of touch position coordinates corresponding to a location of the touch. A processor is operatively coupled to the display screen and is configured to command the display screen to arrange a plurality of touch target images such one of the touch target images is a high integrity touch target image. The high integrity touch target image has a unique X-coordinate that is not shared by any other touch target image and a unique Y-coordinate that is not shared by any other touch target image.

Abstract: A power system for a vehicle may comprise an electric machine interposed between an engine and a transmission of the vehicle. The electric machine may comprise an exciter generator with exciter armature windings surrounding an axis, a main generator with main field windings surrounding the axis so that the exciter generator and the main generator are concentric and a rotor coaxial with the axis and the rotor supporting the exciter armature windings and the main field windings. The rotor may have a first end attached to the engine power output shaft and a second end adapted to deliver mechanical power from the engine to the transmission.

Abstract: A system and method for intelligent camera display based on selective searching is provided. The method includes searching a plurality of devices for compliance with a search criteria, and performing an action substantially simultaneously on all devices in the plurality of devices that are in compliance with the search criteria.

Abstract: A method for inter-process communications between an integrated development environment (IDE) process and a separate process. The IDE process and separate process are communicably coupled using an inter-process communication module that provides inter-process call channels for transporting messages between the IDE process and separate process, and adds a transport layer comprising routing information to the messages. A caller performs an action that raises an event that includes a requested operation to the IDE process, where the requested operation is only supported by the separate process. The IDE process sends a command message to the separate process using a first call channel that includes information for performing the requested operation. The requested operation is performed by the separate process. A return message is then sent by the separate process using a second call channel to the IDE process.

Abstract: The disclosed integrated manufacturing process includes a combined liquid phase reaction and purification operation which directly produces trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 3-chloro-1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane which is a precursor to the manufacture of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. The mixture of co-products is easily separated by conventional distillation and 3-chloro-1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane is then dehydrochlorinated to produce trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene by contacting in the liquid phase with a caustic solution or in the vapor phase using a dehydrochlorination catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one memory configured to store application information associated with multiple process control applications used to control an industrial process. The application information includes multiple boundaries associated with the process control applications. Each boundary is associated with at least one of multiple hierarchical levels. The apparatus also includes at least one processing device configured to alter the association of the boundaries with the hierarchical levels independent of the process control applications. The hierarchical levels associated with different levels of criticality regarding the industrial process. In addition, the apparatus includes at least one interface configured to receive data from and transmit data to the process control applications.