Abstract: There is described herein a method and system for dispatching a single steam flow command to multiple control elements by prioritizing control elements and measuring responsiveness and availability of the control elements using feedbacks. The dispatched single steam flow command may then be adjusted as a function of the responsiveness of each control element.

Abstract: A feedbox for use in an automated dry-cast concrete block machine, including an agitator grid having a plurality of parallel agitator elements disposed parallel to a bottom of the feedbox, a plurality of prongs extending downward toward the bottom of the feedbox from each of the parallel agitator elements, and one or more restrictor elements slideably coupled with a coupling mechanism to one or more of the plurality of prongs which can be slideably adjusted along a length of the one or more prongs.

Abstract: A method of operating a mold assembly having a plurality of liner plates forming a mold cavity. The method includes driving a master drive element back and forth in a continuous loop about at least a portion of exterior perimeter sides of the mold cavity to provide a first and second linear forces in first and second directions substantially in parallel with each perimeter side of the mold cavity about which the primary drive element is routed, and driving a secondary drive element, which engages the at least one moveable liner plate, with the first and second linear forces to drive at least one moveable liner plate toward and away from the interior of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A planar antenna array and articles of manufacture using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, close-packed antenna elements, disposed on a substrate, number N where N=3x and x is a positive integer. Each of the close-packed antenna elements includes a substantially continuous photonic transducer arranged as an outwardly expanding generally logarithmic spiral having six turns. Each of the outwardly expanding generally logarithmic spirals may be a golden spiral. As an article of manufacture, the planar antenna array may be incorporated into a chip, such as a cell phone, or an article of clothing, for example.

Abstract: A business card having an original state that is convertible into a game in a playable state is described. The business card includes a main body having a first side and a second side. The first side has marketing information marked thereon. The main body comprises a goal structure for playing the game in a playable state. One or more detachable components are attached to the main body in the original state. The one or more detachable components are detached from the main body for interacting with the main body in the playable state. The business card is produced in the original state and the game is not playable in the original state.

Abstract: A mold assembly having a mold cavity formed by liner plates, at least one being moveable, an actuator having an actuator axis, and a force multiplier formed by first and second drive elements, the first drive element positioned off-axis from the actuator axis and in mechanical communication with the moveable liner plate, the second drive element operatively coupled to the first drive element, and the actuator configured to provide a first force having a first magnitude in a first direction along the actuator axis to the second drive element which moves the first drive element and the moveable liner plate in an extending direction, wherein a magnitude of a force applied to the moveable liner plate resulting from compression of dry cast concrete in the mold cavity that is required to move the moveable liner plate in a direction opposite the extending direction is greater than the first magnitude.

Abstract: A mold assembly for manufacturing concrete blocks in an automated dry-cast block machine. The mold assembly includes a plurality of liner plates which together form a mold cavity, wherein at least one of the liner plates includes an internal network of shafts which is configured to receive and provide a flow path for heated fluid to pass through to heat the at least one liner plate.

Abstract: A mold assembly mold having a mold cavity formed by a plurality of liner plates, wherein at least one of the liner plates is moveable toward and away from an interior of the mold cavity, and a heater element contacting and heating the moveable liner plate.

Abstract: A business card having an original state that is convertible into a game in a playable state is described. The business card includes a main body having a first side and a second side. The first side has marketing information marked thereon. The main body comprises a goal structure for playing the game in a playable state. One or more detachable components are attached to the main body in the original state. The one or more detachable components are detached from the main body for interacting with the main body in the playable state. The business card is produced in the original state and the game is not playable in the original state.

Abstract: An automated concrete block machine including a mold cavity, a feedbox driven between retracted and extended positions and depositing concrete in the mold cavity when at the extended position, a cutoff bar, and a drive system coupled to and driving the cutoff bar in a direction of movement of the feedbox such that a distance between at least a portion of the cutoff bar and a top of the mold varies so that the cutoff bar removes varying amounts of concrete deposited in the mold cavity so that a depth of concrete remaining in at least a portion of the mold cavity varies so as to be unevenly distributed in a desired fashion in the direction of movement of the feedbox.

Abstract: A mold assembly for manufacturing concrete blocks in an automated dry-cast block machine. The mold assembly includes a plurality of liner plates which together form a mold cavity, wherein at least one of the liner plates includes an internal network of shafts which is configured to receive and provide a flow path for heated fluid to pass through to heat the at least one liner plate.

Abstract: A mold assembly for manufacturing concrete blocks in an automated dry-cast block machine. The mold assembly includes a plurality of liner plates which together form a mold cavity, wherein at least one of the liner plates includes an internal network of shafts which is configured to receive and provide a flow path for heated fluid to pass through to heat the at least one liner plate.