Abstract: Methods for preparing ceramic matrix composites using melt infiltration and chemical vapor infiltration are provided as well as the resulting ceramic matrix composites. The methods and products include the incorporation of sacrificial fibers to provide improved infiltration of the fluid infiltrant. The sacrificial fibers are removed, such as decomposed during pyrolysis, resulting in the formation of regular and elongate channels throughout the ceramic matrix composite. Infiltration of the fluid infiltrant can then take place using the elongate channels resulting in improved density and an improved ceramic matrix composite product.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) communication system may include of mobile vehicles, with each mobile vehicle including RF equipment and a controller. The controller may be configured to operate the RF equipment, determine a reward matrix based upon possible positional adjustments of the mobile vehicle and associated operational parameters of the mobile vehicle, and implement a positional adjustment of the mobile vehicle based upon the reward matrix. The system may also include an oversight controller configured to update respective reward matrices of the mobile vehicles.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein describe a location aware, RFID-enabled pallet mover for tracking inventory moving in a warehouse. The pallet mover includes a RFID system for detecting a pallet currently loaded on the pallet mover and a real-time location system (RTLS) tag for identifying a location of the pallet mover in the warehouse. In one embodiment, the RFID system includes an antenna and an RFID reader for detecting RFID tags in order to track inventory such as a pallet or packages. The RFID reader can communicate with the RFID tags in the environment to identify which pallet is currently loaded on the mover. In one embodiment, the RFID system waits until the pallet mover is moving before activating the RFID reader and monitoring a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of an RFID tag to determine whether the corresponding pallet is currently loaded onto the pallet mover.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a manifold body having at least one fluid passage, a cooling passage section having a body including a set of fluid passages extending through at least a portion of the cooling passage section, and a weld joint fluidly sealing the manifold body and the cooling passage such that at least one of the set of fluid passages is fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid passage of the manifold body and methods of forming.

Abstract: A system and method may automatically create auto insurance policy quotes using data obtained by processing an image of a vehicle information sticker. An image of a vehicle information sticker may be received and analyzed using optical character recognition or some other method. The data acquired from the image can be used to identify a particular vehicle, and retrieve data corresponding to the particular vehicle. The customer data, vehicle data, and other data can be used to calculate an insurance policy quote. The created quotes can then be presented to a user for purchase.

Abstract: A system for separating cut food products includes a flow inlet, a flow outlet, and at least one drum connecting the flow inlet and the flow outlet. The flow inlet may be oriented to direct the cut food product tangentially into the at least one drum. The flow inlet may be oriented to direct the cut food product into the at least one drum at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the at least one drum. The at least one drum may be a plurality of drums including a first drum having the flow inlet and a second drum having the flow outlet. The system may include a passageway providing fluid communication from the first drum to the second drum. The passageway may include a tapered section. The flow inlet may be aligned with the flow outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill bit replacement apparatus for replacing a drill bit on a drilling tool, the apparatus comprising: a drill bit holder comprising one or more drill bit receptacles, each drill bit receptacle adapted to receive at least one drill bit; and a positioning means adapted to move the drill bit holder between at least one storage position and one or more replacement positions, wherein each replacement position aligns at least one drill bit receptacle with the drilling tool.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for surface rendering using medical imaging data is provided. A display device is controlled to render a first model of imaging data showing depth positions corresponding to a given surface threshold value, and further controlled to replace the first model with a second model of the imaging data showing respective depth positions corresponding to the given surface threshold value, the second model being faster to compute than the first model. The given surface threshold value is changed to an updated surface threshold value, for example using a slider input. The display device updates rendering of the second model to show updated respective depth positions corresponding to the updated surface threshold value. When an acceptance is received, the display device is controlled to replace the second model with the first model showing updated depth positions corresponding to the updated surface threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods of extracting compounds from botanical matter are provided. The system includes: a solvent source; an extraction vessel which receives botanical matter from which compounds, including at least one target compound are extracted into a solution; a detector that obtains real time information the compounds; a separation vessel for separating the target compound from the solution; a throttle located between the extraction vessel and the separation vessel for controlling flow of the solution; and a controller connected to the detector and the at the throttle for receiving and processing the real time information and controlling, via the throttle, flow rate of the solution from the extraction vessel to the separation vessel based at least partly on the processed real time information about the compounds.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) presenting, via a communications network, a first interface that enables a creditor to access a credit application template, to create a customized credit application, and (b) presenting, via the communications network, a second interface that enables a credit applicant to access the customized credit application and provide information required by the customized credit application. There is also provided a system that executes the method.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a moveable support platform within the container to reduce a distance that items fall into the container when stowed. The support platform is lowered by a movement mechanism as items are placed into the container. The movement mechanism may be a bladder filled with air, a biasing device, a pneumatic device, or a mechanical device. The moveable support may form a bottom portion of the container during transport of the container. In some instances, the movement mechanism may lift items out of the container to empty the container at a destination.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a fuel temperature sensor is located proximate to a vehicle component that is expected to experience fuel gelling, such as near or within a fuel filter, in order to obtain temperature information that accurately reflects the likelihood of fuel gelling occurring within the component. The proximate fuel temperature sensor can provide more accurate temperature information for components such as fuel filters that are installed at the periphery of the vehicle, compared to other temperature sensors that measure oil temperatures or other temperatures of centrally located vehicle components. In some embodiments, the vehicle is automatically started when the temperature indicated by the fuel temperature sensor falls below a startup temperature threshold value, and is automatically stopped after a predetermined time period or after the temperature reaches a shutdown temperature threshold value.

Abstract: Mechanisms for image processing are provided. A computing device comprises a memory, an input device, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to: acquire a three-dimensional image of an anatomical structure and store it in the memory. The processor renders on the display (i) an initial volume of the three-dimensional image corresponding to an initial portion of the anatomical structure, and (ii) a moveable control element. The initial volume has an outer surface defined by a position of the control element. The processor receives input data updating the position of the control element relative to the initial volume; and renders on the display, in place of the initial volume, a further volume of the three-dimensional image, corresponding to a further portion of the anatomical structure and having a further outer surface defined by the updated position of the control element.

Abstract: An improved solvent system for the formulation and application of N-alkyl thiophosphoric triamide urease inhibitors. These formulations provide safety and performance benefits relative to existing alternatives and enable storage, transport and subsequent coating or blending with urea based or organic based fertilizers. These formulations are comprised primarily of environmentally friendly aprotic and protic solvents (particularly dimethyl sulfoxide and alcohols/polyols) to stabilize the urease inhibitor.

Abstract: An adhesive and release liner application system and method. A bottom table is slidable with respect to a frame and a middle table is slidable with respect to the bottom table. An elevator drive subsystem between a top table and the middle table is configured to adjust the elevation of the top table relative to the middle table. An adhesive head, connected to an adhesive supply subsystem, a release liner applicator, a release liner cutter, and a staple gun are mounted to the top table for applying the adhesive to a surface of a structural member positioned adjacent the top table, for applying a release liner over the adhesive on the surface, for inserting at least one staple through the release liner and into the surface, and for cutting the release liner.

Abstract: An improved solvent system for the formulation and application of N-alkyl thiophosphoric triamide urease inhibitors. These formulations provide safety and performance benefits relative to existing alternatives and enable storage, transport and subsequent coating or blending with urea based or organic based fertilizers. These formulations are comprised primarily of environmentally friendly aprotic and protic solvents (particularly dimethyl sulfoxide and alcohols/polyols) to stabilize the urease inhibitor.

Abstract: A power connector includes a housing having a terminal channel holding a terminal. The terminal includes a mating pin at a front of the terminal and a cable connector at a rear of the terminal. The mating pin is positioned in the terminal channel for mating with a charging connector. The power connector includes a power cable including a conductor terminated to the cable connector at the rear of the terminal. The power connector includes a cable heat exchanger thermally coupled to the conductor of the power cable. The cable heat exchanger includes a coolant channel for coolant flow through the cable heat exchanger for actively cooling the conductor of the power cable. A thermally conductive separator electrically isolates the cable heat exchanger from the conductor of the power cable.