Abstract: A system and method for controlling the temperature setpoints in a furnace such that a random mixture of slabs with different compositions, sizes, initial temperatures, temperature requirements, and anticipated residence times are all discharged at an appropriate temperature, with emphasis upon ensuring that no slab is insufficiently heated (rejected) per rolling and quality requirements. This is to be accomplished with minimized fuel use. This system can be implemented in a graphical programming environment, where real-time tuning, configuration, logic changes, model replacement, model retraining and other programming changes can be made without interruption of control.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting inrush current spikes in multi-load systems are disclosed. Inrush current limiting modules according to some embodiments comprise programmable microcontrollers and logic activated switches that connect loads to main power in a staggered and non-simultaneous manner thereby limiting inrush current spikes. Applications include agricultural grow systems employing multiple grow light fixtures and other high power and multiple load systems. Programmable logic controlled switching mechanisms operating under reserve power and integrated into power supplies are also disclosed. Also disclosed are systems and methods for uniform dimming of high power LED lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and cellular system to provide backhaul satellite communications for a cellular base station are disclosed. The VSAT including an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Core Network (CN) device; and a satellite modem connected to the EPC CN device and to communicate over a satellite link, wherein the EPC CN device manages communication of user traffic from the cellular base station to the satellite modem.

Abstract: An air agitator assembly for use with a heat-emitting object having a contour, the air agitator assembly including a perforated flexible structure having a thermally absorbing first side confronting and spaced from a portion of the heat-emitting object to define an air space there between and a second side opposite the first side and where at least a portion of the first side of the perforated flexible structure has a contour that matches a contour of a corresponding portion of the heat-emitting object.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing the position of an ingot within a segmented mold of a vacuum metallurgical system. An inductive sensory system measures the variations in current between a power source and load of an induction heating coil. The system and method is particularly suitable for determining the position of an ingot within a melting system mold where the mold has a relatively reduced or small cross-sectional area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to safety mats for power motion furniture, power motion furniture systems comprising electronic architecture including the safety mats, and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention provides object sensing safety mats for use with power motion furniture wherein the safety mats sense obstructions of movement between an extended or raised configuration of the power motion furniture and prevents movement or return of the extended or raised configuration when an obstruction is detected.

Abstract: A battery module is provided. The battery module includes a set of stacked battery cells, each stacked battery cell including at least one cell tab and a bus bar assembly including a bus bar, a bus bar support overmolded around a sense line electrically coupled to the battery cells, the bus bar support including cell tab openings having the plurality of cell tabs extending therethrough.

Abstract: A non-conventional method and system used with computerized ledgers provides advantages of computing efficiencies, data security, and universal use. The system, method, and computer readable storage medium for storing, creating, monitoring, managing, and modifying measurement, descriptive differences, and parameters of the records of distributed computerized ledgers works through a separation and linkage of stacked modular data storage and processing. Electronic transaction records reside on distributed ledgers and modifying measurement and descriptive differences reside in decentralized or centralized storage, where computers and related networks are improved with increased functionality through increased transaction speeds, decreased data transmissions, increased security, and improved modifiable functionality. The separation of parallel layered storage and modularity of design enable the system to perform a wide range of functionality while maintaining homogeneity with the distributed computerized ledger.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for loading empty and formed six-pack bottle carriers into a larger case (i.e. a multi-pack) is provided. The packaging device includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The six-pack carriers are formed by unfolding them in the upper portion. Various components are associated with the upper portion of the packaging device. The case receives a plurality of six-pack carriers therein. The larger cases is formed by unfolding them in the lower portion of the packaging device. Various components are associated with the lower portion of the packaging device. The upper portion and lower portion operate simultaneously to efficiently produce a case have empty six-pack carriers placed therein for later filling with bottles at a downstream destination. The system includes the machine, the cases, the six-pack carriers, and the bottles, operating collectively.

Abstract: A veneer product and system includes a body having an aesthetic front surface and a back surface for installation adjacent the building. The body has a top side and a bottom side and a bracket attached to body and projecting away from the back surface of the body, the bracket further comprising a first end adjacent the top side for attachment to the building and a first protrusion for positioning the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a second end having a second protrusion for positioning the bottom of the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a bottom projection adjacent the bottom side for engagement with a second body to retain the bottom end of the veneer product.

Abstract: A heat engine system and a method for cooling a fluid stream in thermal communication with the heat engine system are provided. The heat engine system may include a working fluid circuit configured to flow a working fluid therethrough, and a cooling circuit in fluid communication with the working fluid circuit and configured to flow the working fluid therethrough. The cooling circuit may include an evaporator in fluid communication with the working fluid circuit and configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid stream. The evaporator may be further configured to receive a second portion of the working fluid from the working fluid circuit and to transfer thermal energy from the fluid stream to the second portion of the working fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for satellite selection within a multi-satellite communication system, comprising an antenna, receiver, and transmitter, and a processing module configured to calculate a normalized distance metric for the plurality of user spot beams of a first and second satellite, select the user spot beam with the lowest normalized distance metric, and determine which of the at least first or second satellite is transmitting the selected user spot beam. Further, a method for increasing the aggregate capacity of a satellite communications network, comprising identifying high traffic regions within a coverage area of a first satellite, determining which user spot beams of the first satellite are available to each of the identified regions, determining a normalized distance metric for each user spot beam identified, and plotting a second beam pattern of a second satellite to produce at least one user spot beam with a lower normalized distance metric.

Abstract: A method for application aware multihoming with multipath tunneling protocols is provided. A message client data packet is classified based an application from which the data packet originated. The header structure of the data packet is modified to generate a proxy data packet comprising the client data payload and a proxy header structure. The proxy header structure comprises source-client and destination-server parameters and an identifier of a client-proxy device, protocol parameters indicating a source protocol sequencing of the message client data packet, and protocol parameters including source parameters of the client-proxy device and destination parameters of a server-proxy device. A network communications link is selected for transmission of the proxy data packet to the server-proxy device, where the selection is based on the classification of the message client data packet. The proxy data packet is transmitted to the server-proxy device via the network communications link.

Abstract: In one embodiment, history-based key phrase suggestions are provided for voice control of a home automation system. A host controller builds a history database that maintains a history of events, each event indicating one or more services activated, one or more scenes activated or one or more types of media content presented by the home automation system. A predictions process on the host controller selects a subset of the events of the history database based on a present condition of the home automation system to produce a predication dataset. A grammar process on a remote control or mobile device selects one or more intentions from a list used by a voice recognition engine, based on the prediction dataset. Each intention includes a key phrase paired with an action. A voice user interface (UI) process suggests key phrases from the one or more selected intentions in a voice control UI on the remote control or mobile device.

Abstract: An approach for inter-gateway interference estimation and admission control is provided. A gateway receives return link signals, each being received via a satellite from a respective user terminal (UT) located within a satellite beam serviced by the gateway. A transmit power factor and an interference factor are determined for each UT based on the respective return link signal. A total interference factor is determined for the UTs based on the transmit power factors and the interference factors. A residual capacity level for the satellite beam is determined based on the total interference factor and a noise power factor. The gateway receives an admission request from a further UT requesting admission for transmission of a return link signal. The gateway determines whether to grant the admission request based on a required capacity level for the return link signal of the further UT relative to the residual capacity level.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that permit interoperability between Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP) devices and land mobile radio (LMR) devices. In one device according to the invention, a networked radio includes a wireless network transceiver, an LMR signal connector, and an analog-to-digital converter/digital-to-analog converter (ADC/DAC). A computer processor that inputs data from or outputs data to the ADC/DAC includes a sound architecture and a server. The server includes a digital audio buffer, a voice-activity detector, and a daemon. The daemon is configured to (1) collect data on one or more variables affecting a best-choice determination for transmitting a communications signal intended for retransmission to one or more LMR devices, and (2) make the best-choice determination based on the data collected.

Abstract: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air traffic control method is implemented in a UAV during a flight, for concurrently utilizing a plurality wireless networks for air traffic control. The UAV air traffic control method includes maintaining communication with a first wireless network and a second wireless network of the plurality of wireless networks; communicating first data with the first wireless network and second data with the second wireless network throughout the flight, wherein one or more of the first data and the second data is provided to an air traffic control system configured to maintain status of a plurality of UAVs in flight and perform control thereof; adjusting the flight based on one or more of the first data and the second data and control from the air traffic control system.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling the operation of a vehicle equipped with a hybrid electric front end motor-generator system during vehicle platooning operations to maintain a predetermined separation distance between vehicles in the vehicle platoon. The motor-generator is operated to generate vehicle acceleration and deceleration by outputting torque to an engine crankshaft to accelerate the vehicle or generating a regenerative braking load via the crankshaft on the vehicle, in place of the vehicle's internal combustion engine and braking systems, when the required vehicle accelerations and/or decelerations needed to maintain the desired vehicle separation distance are small and within the torque output or torque load capacity of the motor-generator.