Abstract: Measurement of the deviation of a laser beam from a straight line, where the laser beam is of a type which causes thermal blooming, is used to determine the integrated effect which wind will have on an article traveling through airspace, for example, to enable an adjustment in the aim point of the article. The invention includes correcting the aim point of a gun firing a projectile, correcting the flight path of an aircraft, and correcting the path of a watercraft. The invention includes a method and means for measuring the flow of fluid in a conduit or as a free mass, for purposes other than adjusting the path of a projectile or the like.

Abstract: A Method of controlling power generating equipment to coordinate with the demands of heating equipment and cooling equipment that are powered by exhaust gases from the power generating equipment. A feed-forward prediction is produced of the electrical power supply that produces substantially the required exhaust gas output to match the heating and cooling equipment requirements. A composite power production demand error variable is produced that combines all of the heating and cooling demand requirements that vary from the feed-forward prediction; The demand error variable is sent to a proportional integral derivative control element to generate a control variable. The control variable and the feed-forward prediction are combined to produce a setting for the power generating equipment to produce essentially only the gases required to operate the heating equipment and cooling equipment at the desired level.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a plurality of turbines. An exhaust gas outlet is positioned on each of the plurality of turbines. The exhaust gas outlet provides a way of discharging any exhaust gas produced by a turbine during operation of the turbine. A common exhaust is operatively connected to the exhaust gas outlet of each of the plurality of turbines. The common exhaust is disposed to receive any exhaust gas produced by the plurality of turbines during the operation of at least one of the turbines. A back flow damper is positioned on the exhaust gas outlet for each of the plurality of turbines. An isolation damper is disposed on the back flow damper. The isolation damper is in fluid communication with the common exhaust.

Abstract: The present invention included compositions and methods for treating Listeria in foods. The compositions and methods include at least one first preservative, and a second preservative selected from the group consisting of a Carnobacterium species, Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, a fermentate, containing at least one bacteriocin, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus, method and system for a seed planter. The seed planter has a planting, dispensing and metering assembly operatively attached to a mobile supporting structure. The metering assembly has separated seed pre-staging and/or staging positions for staging pre-specified counts of seed separated from other counts in the batch and maintaining separation of the pre-specified counts of seed from other counts in the batch for planting. Alternatively, the metering assembly has separated seed staging positions for staging a batch of seed in singulated form for planting.

Abstract: An automated seed detection and planting synchronization apparatus, method and system is disclosed. The invention includes a seed detection protocol configured to monitor a derived metric equated to timing of movement of a seed carried by a seed metering unit from a seed pick-up to seed drop point. For controlling synchronization of planting of seed, a seed metering unit empty notification signal is provided if the derived metric is satisfied and sensor readings confirm the absence of seed in the seed metering unit.

Abstract: An automated seed detection and planting synchronization apparatus, method and system is disclosed. The invention includes a seed detection protocol configured to monitor a derived metric equated to timing of movement of a seed carried by a seed metering unit from a seed pick-up to seed drop point. For controlling synchronization of planting of seed, a seed metering unit empty notification signal is provided if the derived metric is satisfied and sensor readings confirm the absence of seed in the seed metering unit.

Abstract: A device and method of geolocating a transmitter. First and second receivers, in motion, receive a signal from the transmitter. Digitizers in the receivers digitize the signal. Converters in the receivers for converting the digitized signals to complex-valued signals. Transmitters on the receivers transmit their digitized signals, locations, and velocities at the time the signal was received to a processor. A central processing unit on the processor determines a difference in radial velocities of the receivers relative to the transmitter. The difference in radial velocities and delay time between the signals received at the receivers are used to geolocate the transmitter.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a low stress porous low-k dielectric material on a substrate are provided. The methods involve the use of a structure former precursor and/or porogen precursor with one or more organic functional groups. In some cases, the structure former precursor has carbon-carbon double or triple bonds. In other cases, one or both of the structure former precursor and porogen precursor has one or more bulky organic groups. In other cases, the structure former precursor has carbon-carbon double or triple bonds and one or both of the structure former precursor and porogen precursor has one or more bulky organic groups. Once the precursor film is formed, the porogen is removed, leaving a porous low-k dielectric matrix with high mechanical strength. Different types of structure former precursors and porogen precursors are described. The resulting low stress low-k porous film may be used as a low-k dielectric film in integrated circuit manufacturing applications.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of finding range and velocity of a target in a radar system using a time scale factor. Specifically, sending at least one signal from at least one transmitter to a target. A return signal is then received from the target at each transmitter and the elapsed time is recorded. The range to the target and velocity of the target are calculated based on a time scale factor of the recorded elapsed times. These values are appropriately output to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to sub-microelectronic circuitry, and more particularly to nanometer-scale articles, including nanoscale wires which can be selectively doped at various locations and at various levels. In some cases, the articles may be single crystals. The nanoscale wires can be doped, for example, differentially along their length, or radially, and either in terms of identity of dopant, concentration of dopant, or both. This may be used to provide both n-type and p-type conductivity in a single item, or in different items in close proximity to each other, such as in a crossbar array. The fabrication and growth of such articles is described, and the arrangement of such articles to fabricate electronic, optoelectronic, or spintronic devices and components.

Abstract: The orientation of a wafer with respect to the surface of an electrolyte is controlled during an electroplating process. The wafer is delivered to an electrolyte bath along a trajectory normal to the surface of the electrolyte. Along this trajectory, the wafer is angled before entry into the electrolyte for angled immersion. A wafer can be plated in an angled orientation or not, depending on what is optimal for a given situation. Also, in some designs, the wafer's orientation can be adjusted actively during immersion or during electroplating, providing flexibility in various electroplating scenarios.

Abstract: A method of removing noise and interference from a signal by receiving the signal, calculating a joint time-frequency domain of the signal, estimating instantaneous frequencies of the joint time-frequency domain, modifying each estimated instantaneous frequency, if necessary, to correspond to a frequency of the joint time-frequency domain to which it most closely compares, redistributing the elements within the joint time-frequency domain according to the estimated instantaneous frequencies as modified, computing a magnitude for each element in the joint time-frequency domain as redistributed, plotting the results as the time-frequency representation of the signal, identifying in the plot any noise and interference components in the received signal, eliminating from the redistributed joint time-frequency domain elements that correspond to noise and interference, and recovering a signal devoid of noise and interference from the modified redistributed joint time-frequency domain.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus, method and system for a seed planter. The seed planter has a planting, dispensing and metering assembly operatively attached to a mobile supporting structure. The metering assembly has separated seed pre-staging and/or staging positions for staging pre-specified counts of seed separated from other counts in the batch and maintaining separation of the pre-specified counts of seed from other counts in the batch for planting. Alternatively, the metering assembly has separated seed staging positions for staging a batch of seed in singulated form for planting.

Abstract: A method for managing seed includes non-destructively sampling individual seeds to assist in providing evaluation data for each of the individual seeds, storing the evaluation data and seed identifiers associated with each of the individual seeds in a data store, selecting a subset of seed for planting at least partially based on the evaluation data, and planting the subset of seed. A system for management of seed on an individual seed basis includes an evaluation subsystem for evaluating individual non-destructively sampled seeds to provide evaluation data for the seeds, a selection subsystem for selecting a subset of the individual seeds at least partially based on the evaluation data, and a planting subsystem for planting the subset of individual seeds.

Abstract: A system and method of capturing an acceptable fingerprint image is disclosed herein. The method includes a step of capturing an initial fingerprint image at a nominal image integration time. Once this initial fingerprint image is captured, a first intermediate fingerprint image at a first intermediate image integration time is captured. Next, an image darkness test is performed followed by an image definition test. If one or more of these tests indicates that the first intermediate fingerprint image is unacceptable, a subsequent intermediate fingerprint image at a subsequent intermediate image integration time is captured. This subsequent intermediate fingerprint image can be captured before the image definition test is performed. Additional intermediate fingerprint images can be captured until an image that has an acceptable darkness level as a well as an acceptable definition level is captured. Also disclosed is a fingerprint scanner that performs this method.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining at least one sheet against a back surface is disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a wedge member, a roller member, a biasing member, and a release mechanism. The roller member is moveable between a first position where the roller surface contacts the wedge member and a second position where the roller surface is separated from the wedge member. The biasing member biases the roller member toward the first position. The release mechanism is connected to the roller member and moveable between a clamp position and a release position. The release mechanism moves the roller member from the first position to the second position when the release mechanism is moved from the clamp position to the release position.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Corylus plant named ‘Red Dragon,’ characterized by its outwardly spreading plant habit, twisting stems, rich dark burgundy-colored leaves, burgundy color of the catkins and leaf buds, and resistance to eastern filbert blight caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Muller.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Corylus plant named ‘Red Dragon,’ characterized by its outwardly spreading plant habit, twisting stems, rich dark burgundy-colored leaves, burgundy color of the catkins and leaf buds, and resistance to eastern filbert blight caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Muller.