Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a fan, a compressor, a turbine having first stage blades and second stage blades, the first stage blades rotates in a first direction and the second stage blades rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction. The first stage blades are directly adjacent to one another, a drive in operable input connection with the fan and in operable output connection with the first stage blades and the second stage blades, the first stage blades and the second stage blades driving the fan through the drive.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for advantageously forecasting an inventory of a product having a particular duration (e.g., video content). The technique can include determining the particular configuration (e.g., maximum number of impressions, maximum amount of time permitted) of breaks identified within an impression log. Based on the number of breaks and the configurations of the breaks, the technique can forecast a future inventory of the product. In some implementations, the disclosed technique can identify an amount of a previous break that was not filled with video content. These forecasts can enable product sellers to better communicate with their customers, negotiate supply contracts, price their products, plan for business operations, etc.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to automated container inspection. A region in an image of a container is labeled as being subject to depicting reflections. When determining whether or not the container is defective based upon the image of the container, values of pixels of the image are compared to corresponding statistics of such pixels, where the statistics can identify an acceptable distribution of values for a pixel. For pixels in the above-mentioned region, more variance in the values of the pixels is allowed (compared to allowed variance when analyzing values of pixels outside of the region) when determining whether or not the container is defective based upon the values of the pixels.

Abstract: A device for the delivery of an agent to an intestinal site has a backing element, a mucoadhesive element for adhering the device to the intestinal site, and a reservoir comprising the agent. The mucoadhesive element includes a polymer, an opposing surface having the capacity to adhere to the intestinal site, and a population of passageway(s) extending from the reservoir to the opposing surface for delivery of the agent from the reservoir to the intestinal site, each of the passageway(s) having a minimum diameter greater than 10 microns, the diameter being determined by cryogenic scanning electron microscopy after 30 minutes of hydration at 20° C. in phosphate buffered saline at pH 6.5.

Abstract: A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine, a compressor, and a bearing housing forming a bearing bore. A bearing arrangement is disposed between a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels, and the bearing housing. The bearing arrangement includes an outer bearing race element that frictionally engages the bearing bore at both ends. At a first end, a bearing retainer that is connected to the bearing housing includes a cylindrical element that extends into the bearing bore and abuts and frictionally engages a first end of the outer bearing race element. The second end of the outer bearing race element abuts and frictionally engages a stop formed at an end of the bearing bore such that no pins or other structures are required for preventing rotation of the outer bearing race element in the bearing bore.

Abstract: A series of substituted benzimidazole, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives, and analogues thereof, being potent modulators of human TNF? activity, are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of various human ailments, including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders; neurological and neurodegenerative disorders; pain and nociceptive disorders; cardiovascular disorders; metabolic disorders; ocular disorders; and oncological disorders.

Abstract: A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor.

Abstract: A self-aiming directional Wi-Fi antenna system includes a directional antenna that is motorized. A motion controller operates the motors to move the antenna position to sources of Wi-Fi radio frequency (RF) transmissions, determines an SSID for each source that satisfies a selection criterion and stores a position data corresponding to each SSID. The directional Wi-Fi antenna is moved to a final position corresponding to the antenna position data for one of the SSIDs stored in memory.

Abstract: A recirculating powder applicator includes an applicator body having an inlet on an upstream surface and an outlet on a downstream surface, wherein the inlet and outlet define a passage that extends transversely through the thickness of the applicator body, a powder conduit, an air inlet, an exhaust aperture located on one of the upstream or downstream surfaces, and a circulation chamber located on the interior of the applicator body. The powder conduit and air inlet are in fluid communication with the passage and the passage is in fluid communication with the circulation chamber. A method of applying powder to a substrate during a continuous process includes using a recirculating powder applicator.

Abstract: A satellite television antenna apparatus is connectable to a remotely-located set top box (STB). The satellite television antenna apparatus can include a motorized reflector dish movable in at least one of an azimuth orientation and an elevation orientation, and an antenna control system. The antenna control system can be configured to conduct two-way communication through a physical connection or a wireless connection between the satellite television antenna apparatus and the STB. The antenna control system is responsive to an indication from the STB via the communication connection that a satellite location candidate locked onto by the satellite television antenna apparatus corresponds to a subscriber's television programming package.

Abstract: Finding and recognizing geostationary satellite orbital slots includes acquiring a location estimate for a satellite broadcast receiving antenna. A set of satellite look angles is captured in the antenna's reference frame coordinate space. A pattern of expected look angles is generated from the antenna location estimate. A pattern matching algorithm is executed to determine azimuth axis rotation to transform antenna reference frame into world reference frame. The validity of the reference frame transform is then checked for correctness by looking for a satellite position outside the set of satellite positions used for the pattern matching.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a product-dispensing machine includes a plurality of nozzles, a hydraulic pump and a circuit coupled to the nozzles. The circuit includes tubular members, a pump, a screen, and a plurality of first components coupled to the tubular members. The plurality of first components includes a pump motor, a pump pressure transducer, a flowmeter, and a nozzle pressure transducer. The system includes an electronic control unit coupled to the circuit configured to receive inputs associated with a motor of the hydraulic pump and each of the first components and based on a combination of the inputs, determine whether one or a combination of the pump, the pump motor, the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic pump motor, the screen, the flowmeter, the nozzle pressure transducer, or at least a portion of the tubular members is causing values associated with the inputs to have a threshold difference from predetermined values.

Abstract: The satellite television antenna device scans the sky and locks onto a first satellite candidate by measuring microwave radiation. The antenna acquires identification (ID) of a first satellite candidate from a set top box (STB), if possible. Then, the antenna moves to a second satellite candidate and acquires the corresponding ID from the STB, if possible. Antenna dish orientation information is stored in memory for at least all satellites that were identified as corresponding to a user's television programming package. The antenna can switch directly between two or more stored dish positions in response to the user changing channels on the STB. The antenna can be powered solely by the STB. A two-way communication conduit can be established between the STB and the antenna via a single cable. The communications conduit can also be used to transmit power to the antenna.