Abstract: Various embodiments relate to methods for loading and unloading a tape storage medium. According to one embodiment, a method for loading a tape storage medium includes positioning a mechanized take-up reel with respect to a tape supply reel, positioning a feature coupled to a tape storage medium on the tape supply reel with respect to the mechanized take-up reel, rotatably decoupling an inner hub of the mechanized take-up reel from an outer hub of the mechanized take-up reel, extending a tongue of the mechanized take-up reel, engaging the tongue with the feature, retracting the tongue and feature into the outer hub, and nonrotably coupling the inner hub with the outer hub.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for loading and unloading a tape storage medium. In one embodiment, an apparatus for such purpose includes a mechanized take-up reel. The mechanized take-up reel includes an inner hub, an outer hub being selectively nonrotatably coupleable with the inner hub (where at least one of the hubs is coupled to a rotating mechanism), a tongue coupled to the inner hub, and a slot in the outer hub for permitting the tongue to extend beyond a periphery of a tape engaging surface of the outer hub upon relative rotation between the inner and outer hubs.

Abstract: An environmental control system for a building in a geographic location and having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system includes at least one computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processing device in communication with the external application, enables the at least one processing device to receive weather data characterizing a weather forecast over a predetermined time period for the geographic location, receive free-cooling window data, determine, based on the weather data and free-cooling window data, an available free-cooling time window, and issue to the external application an executable command to the HVAC system to enter free-cooling mode during the available free-cooling time window.

Abstract: An optical disc drive includes a spindle connected to an optical assembly. A disc clamp device is configured to hold an optical disc on the spindle. A contiguous opening on at least two adjacent sides in a plane of a disc mount position intersect at a common corner of the optical disc drive.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more disc media cassettes configured to store multiple disc-based media. Multiple disc drives are configured to read and write data to the multiple disc-based media. A robotic delivery device is configured to transport a selected disc-based media to and from at least one disc drive of the multiple disc drives, and to transport the selected disc-based media directly to a spindle on the at least one disc drive.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first jaw device, a second jaw device, and a disc sensor configured to sense presence of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device. The first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc including an arc segment along an outer edge of adjacent surfaces of the storage disc.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more disc media cassettes configured to store multiple disc-based media. Multiple disc drives are configured to read and write data to the multiple disc-based media. A robotic delivery device is configured to transport a selected disc-based media to and from at least one disc drive of the multiple disc drives, and to transport the selected disc-based media directly to a spindle on the at least one disc drive.

Abstract: A disc cassette includes a curved portion configured to hold multiple discs. A platform portion abuts the curved portion. A movable bale is configured to maintain discs securely in the disc cassette.

Abstract: An environmental control system for a building in a geographic location and having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system includes at least one computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processing device in communication with the external application, enables the at least one processing device to receive weather data characterizing a weather forecast over a predetermined time period for the geographic location, receive free-cooling window data, determine, based on the weather data and free-cooling window data, an available free-cooling time window, and issue to the external application an executable command to the HVAC system to enter free-cooling mode during the available free-cooling time window.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor configured to drive a driving element within a housing. A caliper is connected to the housing and configured to force a first jaw device toward a second jaw device based on movement of the driving element. A disc sensor is configured to sense presence of a storage disc and to limit insertion travel of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device. The first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a point of return device can be configured to gather information related to a return request and a returning customer. Upon providing the information to an authorization server, the server can identify historical transaction data of the returning customer from data stored in a repository. Based on the historical transaction data and on the return request, the authorization server determines a return authorization decision based on an item-level return policy, another decision based on customer-specific return privileges, and optionally, another authorization decision based on registry-related return privileges. Upon processing the return request based on a selected return authorization decision, data representative of the processed return request is optionally stored in the repository to update the previously identified customer transaction data.

Abstract: A disc cassette includes a curved portion configured to hold multiple discs and a platform portion abuts the curved portion. The platform portion and the curved portion each include multiple rib pairs configured to separate adjacent discs from touching one another, and to form a disc slot between each rib pair. Disc slots of the platform portion of the disc cassette are configured to provide a guide for disc removal from the disc cassette.

Abstract: A watercraft kit includes a watercraft and a buoyant removable rear extension optionally connected to a rear of the watercraft. The watercraft includes a hull having a transom and a deck disposed above the hull. The deck is supported by the hull. A propulsion system is operatively connected to an engine for expelling a stream of water rearward of the transom to propel the watercraft. When the removable extension is connected to the rear of the watercraft, the removable rear extension is disposed at least in part rearwardly of the transom. The removable rear extension defines a longitudinal channel. When the removable extension is connected to the rear of the watercraft, the channel receives at least one of at least a portion of the propulsion system, and at least a portion of the stream of water flowing therethrough when the propulsion system is operating to propel the watercraft forwardly.

Abstract: An example method for operating a plant, which has at least one assembly with a rotating surface that wears to an increasing extent during the operation of the plant, may involve evaluating a wear state of the rotating surface of the assembly. Based on the wear state of the rotating surface, a manner in which the plant is operated may be modified to prolong the running time of the assembly until, for instance, a next-scheduled service or maintenance interval. The modified manner of operating the plant may be adapted to the wear state of the rotating surface. Several examples of such modifications include changing a quantity of water sprayed onto material to be comminuted, changing a quantity of grinding additive added to material to be comminuted, and/or changing a contact pressure of a grinding roll of the assembly.

Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.

Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.

Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.

Abstract: A method and system for processing ore-containing material is provided. The material is comminuted in at least one first mill. The comminuted material is classified in a first classification into coarse and fine material. At least part of the coarse material of the first classification is returned back to the first mill. The fine material of the first classification is classified in a second classification again into coarse and fine material. The coarse material of the first classification is subjected to a first sorting into a first valuable and a first less valuable fraction. The first valuable fraction is returned to the first mill and the less valuable fraction is discarded.

Abstract: In the method according to the invention for increasing the calorific value of a material flow containing carbon, preferably a material flow of renewable raw materials, the material flow is brought in direct contact with at least one low-oxygen, inert hot gas flow in a reactor, wherein the hot gas flow is formed at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, by exhaust gas of a process for thermally processing cement raw meal and/or lime and/or an ore, wherein at least part of a preheater exhaust gas for preheating the cement raw meal and/or lime and/or ore is used as the hot gas flow.

Abstract: A photoacoustic medical-imaging device includes a wavelength conversion assembly (108) configured for outputting laser pulses at a targeted wavelength. It also includes a photoacoustic probe configured for acoustic coupling to a patient, for directing the pulses, and for acquiring, in response, radiofrequency data for photoacoustic imaging. It may include an optical fiber bundle (120) that comprises an optical fiber having an input end, and be configured for illuminating, with a homogenous beam, so as to conform to an acceptance angle (160) of the fiber at that end. It may also include a light collimator, and a diffuser for receiving the outputted laser pulses from the collimator. The diffuser may be configured for spreading a focus of the pulsed light (148) over an input aperture of the bundle to equalize the light received by different constituent optical fibers of the bundle. The assembly may include a dye cell (132), and may reside in the probe.