Abstract: A sideband communication system has been developed for a conveyor system. A controller card controls the operation of a conveyor zone and communicates information about each conveyor in the conveyor zone. The controller card is assigned to control and monitor the operation of one or more of these zones of conveyors. The cards of adjacent zones are daisy-chained together to facilitate communication with one another and with other systems like a programmable logic controller (PLC). In addition to the standard controller area network (CAN) communication protocol, the controller cards further communicate amongst themselves using a sideband communication protocol that is outside the realm of the standard CAN communication protocol. The sideband communication protocol allows the cards to communicate with each other without interfering with normal network communications which provides additional capabilities such as automatic card self-identification.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device is provided herein that enables the wind tunnel to transform between two modes of operation and/or to refresh/recondition air within the tunnel. The wind tunnel device may provide selective diversion of airflow within the wind tunnel. The diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to include a multi-configurable wind tunnel that can be operated as either an open-return wind tunnel or a closed-return wind tunnel. Additionally, or alternatively, the diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to recondition air within a closed-return wind tunnel.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device may include a waste disposal unit configured to collect fluid from a droplet extractor positioned in a wind tunnel. The waste disposal unit may include a drain line and a liquid trap integrated in the drain line. The liquid trap may be adjustable during operation of the wind tunnel to accommodate different tunnel operating conditions (e.g., wind speeds) such that liquid waste does not backflow into the wind tunnel.

Abstract: Winding apparatuses for winding sheet material and related methods are disclosed herein. The winding apparatuses can include a set of winding drive rollers. Each drive roller of the winding drive rollers can have drive wheels spaced apart along the respective drive roller with a winding zone between the winding drive rollers. The winding apparatus can also include a feed system positioned before the set of the winding drive rollers for moving sheet material along a travel path in a machine direction into the winding zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for tracking user activities with a user identification tag stored at the user's Internet-capable device. For example, the system can store a pixel having a color scheme that identifies the user but that is hidden to the user and identifiable by an external computer. The pixel can be stored in the user device's cache for later identification of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon-based substance for removing saturated and non-saturated fats, petroleum and petroleum products from a water surface and/or water emulsion. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for producing this carbon-based substance. More specifically, the present invention relates to use of this carbon-based substance for removing saturated and non-saturated fats, petroleum and petroleum products from a water surface of open waters, including seas and oceans.

Abstract: A modular light assembly provides an end bracket having a bracket housing. The housing has an open distal end and a closed proximal end. A closed end magnet is inserted the end bracket toward the closed proximal end. A non-magnetic ring is distal of the closed end magnet and closes the open distal end, An open end magnet is distal of the non-magnetic ring. An endcap is distal of the open end magnet and a light assembly extends distal of and connected to the endcap.

Abstract: A method of detecting a counterfeit item using a contactless scanner includes contactlessly scanning at least a portion of an item to generate a scanned image of the at least a portion of the item, wherein the at least a portion of the item comprises a graphic, identifying elements in the scanned image that correspond to elements in the graphic, measuring the identified elements to generate a plurality of element measurements, determining whether the item is counterfeit based on a comparison between at least one element measurement of the plurality of element measurements and at least one reference element measurement that is associated with an authentic version of the item, and in response to determining that the item is counterfeit, generating an alert indicating a detection of a counterfeit item.

Abstract: A sprinkler configured for engagement with a coupling, the sprinkler including a raised lip end; and a distal end disposed opposite from the raised lip end, the sprinkler defining a raised lip between the distal end and the raised lip end, the sprinkler defining a groove between the raised lip and the distal end.

Abstract: Systems and methods to enhance the flow of fracturing fluid into a wellhead during a high and the second plungers may pump a second fracturing fluid different from the first fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A method implements a points processing method. The method includes extracting work information from a work message to adjust a work record, manipulating an activity record responsive to the work record and a rule including multiple rule attributes to set an activity value of the activity record, and processing the activity record to generate an activity report including the activity value. The method further includes adjusting a user interface responsive to the activity report.

Abstract: A buoyant apparatus that is capable of floating on liquid surfaces, such as bodies of water filled with waste byproducts. The buoyant apparatus supports a plurality of atomizers via rotatable and flexible arms that can achieve 180° adjustments with the respect to a longitudinal axis of the buoyant apparatus, such that the arms can be parallel to a surface of the body of water in both an extended orientation (with the atomizers deployed over the water surface) and a retracted orientation (with the atomizers stored within the surface area of the platform). In addition, the arms can achieve 360° rotational adjustments about the attachment point of the arms to the platform. The atomizers and arms are powered by low voltage direct current (DC) motors that can utilize solar power via photovoltaic cells such that the apparatus can be employed in remote locations without the need for a centralized power grid.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler assembly includes a flexible conduit; and an integral hub and bracket assembly comprising: a bracket hub coupled to a bracket bar; and an adjustable drop integrally formed with the bracket hub, the adjustable drop defining a lengthwise axis oriented transverse to the bracket bar, the flexible conduit coupled to the adjustable drop; and a sprinkler head extending from the adjustable drop.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a test section comprises at least one surface defining an at least partially enclosed space. The at least partially enclosed space defines an airflow path for air to flow. The test section also comprises a nozzle disposed in the at least partially enclosed space. The nozzle is configured to spray an agricultural spray and is positioned to emit the agricultural spray such that at least a section of the agricultural spray exhibits a non-parallel angle relative to the airflow path defined by the at least partially enclosed space. The test section further comprises at least one stimulus source positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the agricultural spray adjacent to the nozzle. Additionally, the test section comprises at least one detector positioned to image at least the portion of the agricultural spray adjacent to the nozzle.

Abstract: A fitting attachable to a cross-laminated panel provides a chase, plumbing space, airflow duct, or wiring route on an edge of the cross-laminated panel. The fitting may run between edges of multiple cross-laminated panels that contain integral hollow members, forming a customizable network of contiguous coplanar routing paths, accessible without installing pipes and wires behind, or in front of the cross-laminated panels. The fitting may also provide a vertical chase for single or multiple cross-laminated panels. The fitting takes advantage of one or more hollow members in the cross-laminated panels to provide contiguous routing paths for wires, pipes, and venting within the cross-laminated panels themselves, extending across any layout of multiple cross-laminated panels. The fitting may additionally serve as mechanical support for attachment of adjacent panels. Further, the fitting may provide structural connection for the CLT panels as required to meet structural code requirements for the building.

Abstract: A system for foreign material accountability includes a kiosk, which further includes a touch enabled display screen that is back-lit and automatically adjusts brightness based on ambient environment. A user input device, wherein the user input device includes a pin pad, one or more sensors selected from a group consisting of temperature sensors, RFID sensors, IR sensors, optical sensors, iris sensors and one or more cameras, a processor, a data bus coupled to the processor and a computer-usable medium embodying computer code operating on the kiosk. The computer code includes programmed instructions executable by the processor to control accessibility of items into a restricted area based on data received from at least one of the display screen operated by a user, the user input device, and the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for improving the quality of subsequent searches. A request is received from a user to perform a search using the term(s) provided by the user. A search is then performed using the provided term(s). A representation of the search result is depicted as an area (e.g., bubble) with terms of interest displayed outside the area. The area represents a set of documents that were found in the performed search and the terms of interest represent terms that may be of interest to the user based on this set of documents. These terms of interest may be selected by the user to adjust the search result. In this manner, the user is presented with an intuitive view as to how different terms or different searches will have an impact on the search results thereby improving the quality of subsequent searches.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for a multi-cloud bursting service. An example method can include receiving, via a cloud bursting service associated with different clouds, a cloud bursting configuration enabling the cloud bursting service for a local compute environment; based on the cloud bursting configuration, determining a number of jobs in a jobs queue associated with one or more cloud environments from the different clouds; determining a number of nodes available to process the number of jobs in the jobs queue; based on the number of jobs in the jobs queue and number of nodes available, determining whether to spin up a new node, take offline an existing node, or shutdown the existing node to yield a determination; and based on the determination and cloud bursting configuration, performing a cloud bursting action including spinning up the new node, taking offline the existing node, or shutting down the existing node.