Abstract: An open application protocol for industrial equipment is disclosed. Disclosed techniques include: opening a connection between (a) an open application associated with a manufacturing execution system and (b) an instance of a data sharing interface operating on an industrial machine used in a surface mounting process, the open application being configured to communicate with any machine that implements the data sharing interface, regardless of machine type or manufacturer; discovering, by the open application via the connection, discoverable information associated with the industrial machine, the discoverable information including one or more of data items, events, commands, or alarms; and controlling, by the open application via the connection, operation of the industrial machine to control at least a portion of the surface mounting process.

Abstract: A mass flow controller for controlling flow rate comprising a controller, a valve assembly, and at least one pressure sensor, valve position sensor, and temperature sensor; wherein, at least one of the sensors is a semiconductor based sensor. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with at least one upstream location and at least one downstream location. The at least one pressure sensor is in in fluid communication with the at least one upstream location and the at least one downstream location. The valve assembly can comprise at least one piezoelectric or solenoid valve. The controller is communicable coupled with the valve assembly and at least one of the sensors. The controller determines at least one of: pressure; position; and temperature. The controller further causes an adjustment to valve stroke based on an actual fluid flow rate and at least one of the pressure, position, temperature, and a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a monitoring cable or other utility near an existing pipeline. An electromagnetic signal may be induced on the pipeline, either directly, or by transmitting a signal from a vehicle carrying a sensor array. The sensors disposed on the vehicle communicate with a processor to determine a distance and orientation of the vehicle relative to the pipeline. The signal may be electromagnetic, acoustic, capacitive, or the like. A plow or other digging tool may be on the vehicle or a secondary vehicle. Such a digging tool opens a trench and installs the cable along a path disposed next to the pipeline within an acceptable distance range from the pipeline. The vehicle may be remotely or automatically operated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener insert configured to join two components. The fastener insert includes an embeddable shank having an exterior surface and an axial opening. The embeddable shank can be inserted, embedded, and locked into a first component. The exterior surface defines a plurality of lobes extending around said embeddable shank. Each of the plurality of lobes has a leading edge. In some examples, a plurality of grooves of the exterior surface form a chevron groove pattern on each of the plurality of lobes.

Abstract: A battery and a corresponding battery charger, wherein the battery charger can identify a type of the connected battery to ensure that an appropriate charging current is supplied.

Abstract: An offloading vacuum system. The system has a tank to capture debris from an excavation site. The debris is pulled into the tank due to a blower pulling air into an attached hose. An internal conveyor within the tank conveys material to an offloading hub. The offloading hub has a ground-facing door which opens to deposit debris into an external conveyor. The external conveyor, when deployed, can move debris from below the tank to a dump container with a wall greater than a height of the tank.

Abstract: An example apparatus for charge neutralization comprises: an emitter nozzle comprising: an emitter; and a housing configured to hold the emitter, the housing comprising a plurality of cams on an exterior of the housing; and a nozzle receptacle configured to enable insertion and removal of the emitter nozzle, and to hold the emitter nozzle in place during operation of the emitter nozzle, the nozzle receptacle comprising: a plurality of threads corresponding to the plurality of cams on the emitter nozzle, the plurality of threads having a first flank angle; and a plurality of shelves located at respective distal ends of the plurality of threads, the plurality of shelves having a second flank angle less than the first flank angle.

Abstract: A lock, suitable for locking an airline cart, the lock comprising, a body, at least two locking arms housed within the body, and a biasing means, the biasing means arranged to urge a first locking arm and a second locking towards a maximum limit. The at least two locking arms are configured to resist removal of a hasp inserted into the lock. The at least two locking arms are tied to one another such that the at least two locking arms may reversibly move relative to one another, and an amount of movement of a first locking arm relative to a second locking arm is up to the maximum limit. A hasp for use with the lock, and kit of parts, is further disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided to align a movable cart to an assembly apparatus. The assembly apparatus has at least one item of a plurality of items for replacement within the assembly apparatus. The assembly apparatus includes a docking station. The movable cart is configured to receive a used item and/or provide a new item to the assembly apparatus. The movable cart includes an interface configured to dock within the docking station of the assembly apparatus. The system includes a sensor associated with one of the assembly apparatus and the movable cart and a laser associated with the other of the assembly apparatus and the movable cart. The sensor and the laser are configured to align the movable cart with the assembly apparatus after an initial docking of the movable cart within the docking station of the assembly apparatus.

Abstract: A coupler including a fitting for mounting to externally threaded reinforcing bar for use in concrete construction, the fitting including a body having a portion with an internal thread for engagement with the thread of the reinforcing bar, wherein the internal thread has an asymmetric thread form having an outer ramped portion and an inner ramped portion, the outer ramped portion being inclined to a central axis of the coupler at a first angle, the inner ramped portion being inclined to the central axis of the coupler at a second angle, the first angle being smaller in magnitude than the second angle.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods to correct for edge-position error associated with brightness levels of an associated back screen in a video extensometer system. In some examples, to correct for edge-position error, a processing system is configured to execute an edge detection algorithm to measure and/or calculate a difference between a perceived edge-position and a reference edge-position associated with an amount of error, and calculate a correction term to address the error. The correction term can be added to the result of the edge detection algorithm in case of white-to black transition, and subtracted in case of black-to-white transition to correct for the error.

Abstract: A dual function tooling tray for a stencil printer includes a perimeter frame, a first frame member spaced from a first side of the perimeter frame, a second frame member spaced from a second side of the perimeter frame, and a third frame member extending between and secured to the first frame member and the second frame member. The third frame member is configured to support at least one squeegee blade assembly. The tooling tray further includes a first support secured to the first frame member and a second support secured to the second frame member. The first support and the second support are configured to support a tooling plate. The tooling tray further includes a third support secured to the first frame member and a fourth support secured to the second frame member. The third support and the fourth support are configured to support a tooling plate.

Abstract: A combustion powered fastener driving tool including a dosing lever that reduces the likelihood of causing inconsistent amounts of fuel to be dispensed by the fuel supply assembly of the tool.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool is provided and includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movably connected to the housing, where the workpiece-contacting element is movable between a rest position and an activated position. A trigger is movably connected to the housing such that the trigger is movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool further includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an activated position. A damper mechanism is associated with the actuation lever and is configured to control a rate of movement of the actuation lever between the activated position and the rest position.

Abstract: A zipper assembly for a resealable enclosure can include an elongated flange having a panel side and an opposite facing side. The panel side can be coupled with an inner surface of a panel of the resealable enclosure. The zipper assembly can include an interlocking element protruding from the flange. The interlocking element can be shaped to mate with another interlocking element of another flange to close the enclosure and shaped to be pulled apart to open the enclosure. The zipper assembly also can include a tear strip disposed in the flange. The tear strip can be pulled to tear through the panel of the resealable enclosure to provide access to the zipper assembly inside the enclosure. The tear strip can have a larger thickness than the flange between the panel side and the facing side of the flange.

Abstract: A zipper assembly for a resealable enclosure may include an elongated flange having a panel side and an opposite facing side. The panel side can be coupled with an inner surface of a panel of the resealable enclosure. The zipper assembly also can include an interlocking element protruding from the flange and shaped to mate with another interlocking element of another flange to close the enclosure and shaped to be pulled apart to open the enclosure. The zipper assembly can include a tear strip disposed in the flange and spaced apart from the flange by gaps. The tear strip can be pulled to tear through the panel of the resealable enclosure to provide access to the zipper assembly inside the enclosure.

Abstract: A firearm holster for securely enclosing a firearm is provided. The firearm holster includes a top holster frame, a separate lower holster frame, and a backbone body having a top and a bottom. The backbone is operatively coupled to an interior of the top holster frame and the bottom holster frame such that the top holster frame covers the top of the backbone body and the bottom holster frame covers the bottom of the backbone body.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing hydraulic power below a rotary table of a snubbing unit, comprising a swivel assembly including at least one hydraulic port therein. The swivel assembly defines a first hydraulic channel connected to the at least one hydraulic port. A rotary mounted within a rotary table has a second hydraulic port therein below the rotary table. The rotary defines a second hydraulic channel therein connected to the second hydraulic port. The rotary is connected to the swivel assembly such that the first hydraulic channel aligns with the second hydraulic channel to provide for hydraulic fluid flow therebetween. Hydraulic fluid is provided from the at least one hydraulic port through the first hydraulic channel of the swivel assembly and the second hydraulic channel of the rotary to the second hydraulic port below the rotary table.