Abstract: A variable rate air metering system is provided. The system includes seed meter cartridges, each having a housing, a meter wheel, and a variable speed electric motor operatively connected to the seed meter cartridge. The seed meter cartridges provide flowable material to distribution manifolds, which are configured to distribute flowable material to multiple row outputs for deposition into a field. A control system is configured to control operation of the distribution manifolds for enabling/disabling dispersement of flowable material to row units. The control system is also configured to adjust the dispersement rate of flowable material by the seed meter cartridges in association with the opening/disabling the dispersement of flowable material to row outputs.

Abstract: An air seeding system and method includes a manifold mounted across a plurality of row planter units. Electric motors are mounted on the manifold and are operatively connected to the seed meters. A microprocessor or controller adjusts the speed of the motors in response to field data input so as to adjust the rate of seed dispensement to achieve desired plant population. The motor speeds can be adjusted on the fly, without stopping the air seeder. The system senses ground speed, senses the raised and lowered positioned of the row planter units, and senses any blockage of the row planter units. The motors eliminate the need for a ground drive wheel.

Abstract: Porosity causing gas-based defects are detected, located, identified, and/or characterized by the use of defect information generated from gas flow data corresponding to gas flow characteristics measured by one or more sensors on a composite part processing piece such as a mold or membrane used during a composite manufacturing process. The defect information is generated using techniques including one or more of profiling the gas flow data, fingerprinting, line leak detection, analytical triangulation.

Abstract: A window frame assembly to secure a glass pane within a window opening in a door slab. The assembly preferably includes two identical frame halves carrying bosses on which modular clip members are secure. The clip members each carry a male post member and a female socket member. Each clip member on a half frame engages a corresponding clip member on the other half frame with their female and male socket members engaging the outer surface of the clip member carrying a key member complementary to the keying member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which an insert with an undercut is mechanically coupled to a lay up mold for translated movement between an engaged position for molding with an undercut engaging the material to be molded and a remote position in which a resultant molded product maybe removed and the material may be laid up without interference with the undercut, preferably with the mechanical coupling allowing for hinged movement of the insert relative the lay up mold.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and a method to prevent undesired objects (not shown) when communication conduit (not shown) is disposed therethrough. The apparatus (100) and method include a flapper assembly (150) to selectively open and close when objects (not shown) larger than the communications conduit (not shown) are desired to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A method and system of inertia friction welding that enables the production of inertia friction welds in which the final upset can be controlled to an operator specified target. The method utilizes any profile-based upset control technique, including but not limited to torque modulation and pressure (load) modulation. The method dynamically modifies the profile upset setpoints to systematically drive the upset formation to produce a weld with the targeted upset. The method and system also enables the production of inertia friction welds in which the final welded part length can be controlled to an operator specified target. The system and associated method comprises inertia friction welding a pair of sample parts to form a sample weld while acquiring data relating to the formation of the sample weld.

Abstract: A fiber optic control system for controlling remotely located devices. The control system includes an illumination source for producing a light beam and a plurality of optical fibers. Each fiber is arranged to receive a respective portion of a light beam at a coupling end. A planar light switch, including a plurality of light attenuating pixels, is positioned between the illumination source and the optical fiber coupling ends. Each of the pixels of the planar light switch is electronically controllable for selectively coupling portions of the light beam to respective coupling ends of the optical fibers. A plurality of light activated circuits are optically coupled to a respective illumination ends of the optical fiber. The light activated circuits are responsive to the respective portion of the light beam radiated from the respective illumination ends for providing a control signal to a remotely located device.

Abstract: A portable pouch opener for countertop positioning for opening and filling a bag includes a portable housing positionable upon a desktop bench workspace. The housing has a magazine containing a supply of bags to be opened and filled. A first suction device is mounted for being moved into engagement with a bag in the magazine. The first suction device has a source of vacuum to activate the first suction device when placed into contact with one wall of the bag. Vacuum from the first suction device is withdrawn from the bag, attaching the bag to the first suction device, to remove the bag from the magazine and bring it to an opening position. An opposite facing wall of the bag is in contact with a second suction device having a source of vacuum, so that said opposite facing wall is engaged by said second suction device. Then the first suction device is retracted to separate the walls of the bag to produce an opening into the bag, allowing the bag to be filled and optionally sealed.

Abstract: Molding compositions and forming processes for normally rust-prone iron-based powders, and articles produced therefrom. Metal alloy systems that can be successfully formed using the processes of the invention, include elemental iron and iron alloys including low and medium alloy steels, tool steels and a number of specialty iron-base alloys.

Abstract: In a workpiece pick up and transport mechanism, a shaft of a vacuum cup pick up bar is slideably interconnected with a shaft guide mounted on the pick up mechanism frame. The shaft also slideably engages a shaft collar of a pneumatic cylinder body. Operation of the air cylinder causes the shaft collar to lower the respective shafts of the vacuum cup bar until the vacuum cups come in contact with the target workpiece. Further movement of the air cylinder body causes the shaft collar to slide down the shaft thereby eliminating any overrun of the pneumatic cylinder and eliminates any pressure of the cylinder being applied to the shaft, thereby preventing such pressure from being transmitted to the vacuum cup tray and to the workpiece. The only force applied to the vacuum cup tray and to the workpiece is through the action of gravity. Vacuum is applied and the workpiece is attached to the vacuum cups and the pick up mechanism then moves the body of the pneumatic cylinder upward to lift the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved commutation circuit configured to arrest and dissipate energy which may be reflected from a magnetic pulse compression network. The commutation circuit includes an energy storage capacitor for storing energy, a capacitor charging unit for charging the energy storage capacitor, a power supply protection circuit configured for isolating reverse voltages from the output of the capacitor charging unit, a series switch configured for conducting current in the forward direction and blocking current in the reverse direction to and from the energy storage capacitor, a magnetic assist device configured for isolating the reverse voltage from the switch, a trigger circuit configured for transmitting a trigger pulse signal to the switch to allow the transfer of reflected energy to the energy storage capacitor and a power supply configured for biasing the magnetic assist device.

Abstract: A method of machining flat parts, includes the use of two permanent magnets which are located opposite to and spaced from one another so as to form a magnetic field with a magnetic flux extending perpendicular to the magnets, placing a flat part in the magnetic field between the magnets so that the magnetic flux extends through the flat part, supplying a magnetic-abrasive powder to the flat part in the magnetic field, and performing a relative movement between at least one of the magnets and the flat part so as to remove a material from a surface of the flat part.

Abstract: Magnetic-abrasive machining of a parts is performed by generating a magnetic field by two different poles located near one another so as to form a magnetic gradient region with magnetic flux lines which extend from one pole in one direction and then in an opposite direction to another pole and therefore are round in a predetermined plane, placing a part to be machined exclusively at one side of the two poles, introducing a magnetic-abrasive powder between the poles and the part to be machined so that a portion of the part to be machined is located in the magnetic gradient region with the round magnetic flux lines, and moving the part to be machined relative to the poles in the same plane transversely to the round magnetic flux lines of the magnetic gradient region so that portions of the part to be machined successively pass the magnetic gradient region with the round magnetic flux lines and are machined by the magnetic-abrasive powder retained in the magnetic gradient region with the round magnetic flux line

Abstract: A device for magnetic-abrasive machining of a part has the steps of forming a magnetic field, arranging a part to be machined in the magnetic field, supplying a magnetic-abrasive powder in a machining zone toward a surface of the part to be machined, and supplying a fluid jet under pressure toward the magnetic-abrasive powder so as to move the magnetic-abrasive powder relative the surface of the part to be machined.

Abstract: A magnetic-abrasive machining of a part includes generating a magnetic field; introducing a part to be machined into the magnetic field; supplying a magnetic-abrasive powder into a machining zone toward a surface of the part to be machined; and generating a vacuum between the magnetic-abrasive powder and the surface of the part to be machined so that the magnetic-abrasive powder is moved relative to the surface of the part to be machined.

Abstract: An aquatic sampling device is provided, said aquatic sampling device comprising generally a plurality of two parallel vertical members, a plurality of two parallel horizontal members, a plurality of two support cross members, and a flexible net. Said plurality of two parallel vertical members being pivotally and slidably attached to said plurality of two parallel horizontal members by means of a plurality of two pins on said plurality of two parallel horizontal members extending through a plurality of two slots in said plurality of two vertical members. Said plurality of two parallel vertical members pivoting from resting horizontally against said plurality of two parallel horizontal members to 90 degrees or perpendicular to said plurality of two parallel horizontal members. Said plurality of two parallel vertical members being further attached to said plurality of two parallel vertical members by a plurality of two flexible cords.

Abstract: A protective guard to be used in conjunction with a structural corner or corner edge having metal beading or metal backing is provided and consists of an injection molded, elongated resilient one-piece body divided longitudinally into two equal halves connected by integrated living hinges. The protective guard is secured in place by a plurality of integrated oriented multiple pole ceramic magnets. The protective guard includes a continuous edge border which abuts the surface of the structural corner or corner edge such that the plurality of magnets are in close proximity but not contact with the structural corner or corner edge.