Abstract: A system can include a dry powder mixing tank, a first powder input, a second powder input, a powder output, and a detection device. The first powder input and the second powder input can introduce powders containing different substances that become mixed in the dry powder mixing tank. The detection device can detect information about amounts of different substances in a blend of powder moved out of the tank by the powder output. In some aspects, portions of the blend that do not satisfy parameters for the blend can be diverted from a receptacle for the blend based on the detected information.

Abstract: A laminated moulded part of fibre-reinforced resin matrix composite material, the moulded part comprising a first ply comprising fibres impregnated with a resin, an outer surface of the first ply defining an outer surface of the laminated moulded part, a rope located around at least a part of a periphery of the first ply, the rope comprising a plurality of strands of fibres twisted together and impregnated with a resin, a second ply comprising fibres impregnated with a resin, the second ply at least partly covering an inner surface of the first ply, at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the second ply being located inwardly of a corresponding portion of the rope, and at least a portion of the periphery of the first ply being folded over so as to wrap around the rope and cover the corresponding peripheral edge of the second ply.

Abstract: Optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with a flowing atmospheric air composition and optically interacting the electromagnetic radiation with an integrated computational element (“ICE”), the ICE being configured to analyze for a contaminant in the flowing atmospheric air. A detector receives the electromagnetic radiation that has optically interacted with the flowing atmospheric air and the ICE and generates an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the contaminant in the flowing atmospheric air.

Abstract: Optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with a flowing atmospheric air composition and optically interacting the electromagnetic radiation with an integrated computational element (“ICE”), the ICE being configured to analyze for a contaminant in the flowing atmospheric air. A detector receives the electromagnetic radiation that has optically interacted with the flowing atmospheric air and the ICE and generates an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the contaminant in the flowing atmospheric air.

Abstract: A material haulage system that transports mining materials, such as but not limited to, coal, ore, etc., from a mine is provided. The material transport system includes a continuous conveyor that transports the mining material, a movable assembly that moves and/or supports the continuous conveyor, and a propulsion assembly attached to the movable assembly that maneuver the continuous conveyor through the mine.

Abstract: A media picking device for an image forming apparatus having a sensing mechanism for detecting the leading and trailing edge of a sheet of media being picked from a media input tray. The device includes a pick mechanism for picking the top-most media sheet; and a sensing mechanism including a sensor and a flag positioned adjacent the pick tire and moveable between at least two positions, the flag having a first end contacting the surface of a picked sheet; the flag moving from a first position to a second position when the leading edge of the picked sheet passes by and moving from the second position to the first position when the trailing edge of the picked sheet passes by. The sensing mechanism providing an output signal corresponding to the movement of the flag. The sensor is one of a photointerrupter, a proximity sensor, a potentiometer, and a switch.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including an image transfer device, a first motor, a redrive section and a duplexing section. The first motor is drivingly connected to the image transfer device. The reversible redrive section is downstream from the image transfer device, and the reversible redrive section includes a second motor. The duplexing section includes a third motor. The duplexing section is positioned to receive media from the redrive section. The first motor, the second motor and the third motor are each independently controlled.

Abstract: A media picking device for an image forming apparatus having a sensing mechanism for detecting the leading and trailing edge of a sheet of media being picked while in a media input tray.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having RFID tags associated with wearable components of a system to track the usage and wear levels of the wearable components. The RFID tags can be antennas formed from conductive material impregnated in the wear components such that the RFID tags are worn with the wearing of the wear components. The RFID tags may also be RFID chip tags having memory for storing information, a portion of which is updated in real time. The presence or absence of the impregnated antenna RFID tags or the updated information stored in the chip tags may be used to track usage and wear level of the wear components.

Abstract: A pre-filter assembly is for use in a skimmer of a residential swimming pool. The pre-filter comprises a skimmer collar and a cleanable filter basket. The skimmer collar is for placement on a rim of a below water surface opening within the skimmer. The cleanable filter basket is made of a water porous material. The filter basket is permanently secured at an edge defining the open-top to the skimmer collar. The filter basket further has a chevron shape for ease of use. Swimming water debris is trapped in the filter basket as pool water is pulled through the filter basket on its way to a primary filter apparatus. The filter basket is easily cleaned as needed and replaced.

Abstract: Correction of rotary encoder eccentricity in an image forming device having a motor controller using period and position pulse train feedback signals. A motor includes an encoder disc rotating with the motor and at least two encoder sensors disposed at different circumferential positions about the encoder disc. A controller may use a high speed clock to calculate a corrected speed count based on speed counts determined from the number of clock cycles that elapse per cycle of pulse trains from the encoders. The controller may also calculate a corrected position count based at least partly on one or more position counts determined from the number of clock cycles that elapse between periodic sampling points and transitions of encoder pulse trains. The corrected position count may also be calculated based on a position count and one or more speed counts.

Abstract: Correction of rotary encoder eccentricity in an image forming device having a motor controller using period and position pulse train feedback signals. A motor includes an encoder disc rotating with the motor and at least two encoder sensors disposed at different circumferential positions about the encoder disc. A controller may use a high speed clock to calculate a corrected speed count based on speed counts determined from the number of clock cycles that elapse per cycle of pulse trains from the encoders. The controller may also calculate a corrected position count based at least partly on one or more position counts determined from the number of clock cycles that elapse between periodic sampling points and transitions of encoder pulse trains. The corrected position count may also be calculated based on a position count and one or more speed counts.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The toner distributing member may be driven by a shared speed-controlled motor that further drives an image forming process member. The waste toner system may detect the accumulation of waste toner by monitoring a drive control circuit while the toner distributing member is being driven. For example, a logic circuit may detect the accumulation of waste toner based on monitoring a predetermined frequency of interest of a frequency domain transform of a motor control signal, the frequency of interest associated with the shared motor driving the toner distributing member.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including an image transfer device, a first motor, a redrive section and a duplexing section. The first motor is drivingly connected to the image transfer device. The reversible redrive section is downstream from the image transfer device, and the reversible redrive section includes a second motor. The duplexing section includes a third motor. The duplexing section is positioned to receive media from the redrive section. The first motor, the second motor and the third motor are each independently controlled.

Abstract: A method for integrating a batch cement process with a cuttings reinjection process, the method comprising: equipping a batch cement skid with a particle classifier and a grinding pump, such that the batch cement skid sequentially implements the cuttings reinjection process and the batch cement process is disclosed. An apparatus for performing a batch cement process and a cuttings reinjection process, the apparatus comprising: a first tank and a second tank, a particle classifier having a coarse effluent stream feeding into the first tank and a fine effluent stream feeding into the second tank, and a grinding pump in fluid communication with the first tank and the particle classifier is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling the speed and position of a motor includes receiving a pulse train indicative of the speed of the motor, and a periodic signal at a frequency greater than the pulse train. The number of cycles of the periodic signal per cycle of the pulse train is counted, and compared to a predetermined number. The speed of the motor is adjusted to match the count to the predetermined number, thus effecting speed control. A command position signal defining a plurality of sampling points is generated. The number of cycles of the periodic signal between a sampling point of the command position signal and an operative edge of the pulse train is counted and compared to a predetermined number. The speed of the motor is further adjusted to match the count to the predetermined number, thus effecting position control.

Abstract: A motor control circuit uses a stored commutation table to effect time-based commutation of a brushless dc motor. Each entry in the commutation table defines a motor winding commutation state, and an exemplary method of open-loop motor control based on the commutation table comprises commutating the motor based on sequentially selecting table entries at a desired selection rate. That is, motor speed is controlled precisely by controlling the sequential selection rate rather than by relying on feedback from the motor. However, motor feedback for closed-loop control may be used in some modes of operation. For example, the method may include closed-loop control or open-loop control depending on the motor speed range, and may transition from closed-loop to open-loop control.

Abstract: An improved variable speed fan controller for use in devices such as laser printers. The controller automatically adjusts its output signal to fans such that a fan quickly settles into an appropriate operating speed, even if the fan has been newly installed into the equipment. The controller can store values in non-volatile memory, if desired, to keep track of recent changes in the fan's operating parameters and corresponding control signal values. The controller is able to control relatively inexpensive fans that don't necessarily operate at a predictable fan rotating speed under repeatable conditions and control signals, by controlling the fan to an initial or predetermined rotating speed; if the fan isn't running within a suitable range of rotational speeds, then determining whether a fine or coarse adjustment should be made to the fan's rotational speed. The controller makes appropriate adjustments until the fan's rotational speed is within acceptable operating tolerances.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic print mechanism wherein one motor drives two or more removable toner cartridges, the presence of each cartridge is sensed and reported to the motor controller. If one or more cartridges are removed, such as for single-color printing, the motor control equation parameters are altered to compensate for the altered static torque load experienced by the motor. The parameters may be the proportional, integral, and/or derivative gains for one or more PID controllers.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic print mechanism wherein one motor drives two or more removable toner cartridges, the presence of each cartridge is sensed and reported to the motor controller. If one or more cartridges are removed, such as for single-color printing, the motor control equation parameters are altered to compensate for the altered static torque load experienced by the motor. The parameters may be the proportional, integral, and/or derivative gains for one or more PID controllers.