Abstract: Apparatus for inverting an elongated flexible tubular sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the apparatus comprising: a hollow tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and an elongated rod movably disposed within the central lumen of the hollow tube, the elongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the elongated rod comprises a sleeve plug for securing a distal end of an elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube; wherein, when the elongated flexible tubular sleeve is disposed over the hollow tube, (i) the sleeve plug of the elongated rod is configured to be moved proximally to clamp the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular sleeve to the distal end of the hollow tube, and (ii) the sleeve plug of the elongated rod is configured to be moved distally to release the distal end of the elo

Abstract: A low-sulfur granulated metallic unit having a mass fraction of sulfur between 0.0001 wt. % and 0.08 wt. % is disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the granulated metallic unit can comprise a mass fraction of phosphorous of at least 0.025 wt. %, a mass fraction of silicon between 0.25 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %, a mass fraction of manganese of at least 0.2 wt. %, a mass fraction of carbon of at least 0.8 wt. %, and/or a mass fraction of iron of at least 94.0 wt. %.

Abstract: A low-carbon granulated metallic unit having a mass fraction of carbon between 0.1 wt. % and 4.0 wt. % is disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the granulated metallic unit can comprise a mass fraction of phosphorous of at least 0.025 wt. %, a mass fraction of silicon between 0.25 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %, a mass fraction of manganese of at least 0.2 wt. %, a mass fraction of sulfur of at least 0.0001 wt. %, and/or a mass fraction of iron of at least 94.0 wt. %.

Abstract: Reduced-waste systems and methods for granulated metallic units (GMUs) production are disclosed herein. A representative method can include receiving a first supply of molten iron and producing GMUs by granulating the molten iron poured onto a target material of a reactor. The method can include removing residual fines of the GMUs via a classifier based on a threshold particle size and mixing the residual fines with a second supply of molten iron to produce additional GMUs.

Abstract: Torpedo cars for use with granulated iron production, and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments of the present technology, a torpedo car includes a tilting mechanism, a body rotatably coupled to the tilting mechanism, and a controller operably coupled to the tilting mechanism to control tilting of the body. The body can include (i) an inner surface defining a cavity and a channel, and (ii) an outer surface defining an opening to the cavity and a channel outlet of the channel spaced apart from the opening. The channel can extend between the channel outlet and a channel inlet interfacing the cavity. The inner surface can include a slag dam configured to prevent slag from exiting the opening while the torpedo car tilts. The controller can control the tilting mechanism to control molten metal flow out of the cavity through the channel.

Abstract: Systems for continuous granulated metallic unit (GMU) production, and associated devices and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a continuous GMU production system includes a furnace unit, a desulfurization unit, a plurality of granulator units, and a cooling system. The furnace unit can receive input materials such as iron ore and output molten metal. The desulfurization unit can reduce a sulfur content of the molten metallics received from the furnace unit. Each of the plurality of granulator units can include a tundish that can control the flow of molten metallics and a reactor that can granulate the molten metallics to form GMUs. The cooling system can provide cooled water to the reactor. Continuous GMU production systems configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can produce GMUs under continuous operations cycles for, e.g., at least 6 hours.

Abstract: Processing granulated metallic units within electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method can include receiving granulated metallic units in an EAF, wherein the granulated metallic units comprise no more than 0.05 wt. % of sulfur and at least 50% of particles in the granulated iron material have a particle size of at least 6 millimeters. The method can include applying electrical energy to the granulated iron via electrodes and melting the granulated iron material to form a molten steel product. The method can also include tapping the EAF to remove the molten steel product from the EAF.

Abstract: Treating cooling water in industrial production facilities and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. The system can comprise a cooling tower with a first and second cell, each having a housing to receive return water and a sump below to maintain supply water configured to directly contact molten metal. The system includes an inlet and an inlet line to provide return water to the cooling tower and an outlet and an outlet line to direct supply water back to the industrial production facility. The inlet, outlet, and cooling tower form a closed-loop network. Additionally, a blowdown line is fluidically coupled to the outlet to divert a portion of the supply water away from the closed-loop network.

Abstract: Loading granulated metallic units (GMUs) into railcars, and associated systems, devices, and methods, are disclosed here. In some embodiments, an apparatus for loading GMUs into a railcar comprises a housing unit, a weigh bin, a weigh bin gate, a hopper, and an articulating chute. GMUs in the weigh bin are discharged via gravity through the weigh bin gate when the weigh bin gate opens. The hopper is configured to guide GMUs received from the weigh bin to the articulating chute. The articulating chute is angled and rotatable about an axis of the hopper such that, when rotated, the end of the chute is closer to the floor of a railcar. In some embodiments, the chute includes telescoping segments.

Abstract: Railcars for transporting granulated metallic units, and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. For example, a reinforced railcar apparatus includes a container envelope and a reinforcement liner. The container envelope includes side walls and end walls extending from a floor of the railcar. The side walls are a first length and the end walls are a second length less than the first length. Top portions of the rigid side walls and end walls define an opening of the container envelope through which granulated metallic units are discharged into the railcar assembly. The railcar assembly includes angled interior walls coupled to the bottom surface and extending from a top portion of the end walls to the bottom surface. The reinforcement liner is disposed over a portion of the bottom surface and the angled interior walls. In some embodiments, the railcar assembly includes an open-topped box layered with impact-absorbing material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a liquid hot metal processing unit to produce granulated metallic units (GMUs) are disclosed herein. In some embodiments of the present technology, a liquid hot metal processing system for producing GMUs comprises a liquid hot metal processing unit including a granulator unit. The granulator unit can include a tilter positioned to receive and tilt a ladle, a controller operably coupled to the tilter to control tilting of the ladle, a tundish positioned to receive the molten metallics from the ladle, and a reactor positioned to receive the molten metallics from the tundish. The reactor can be configured to cool the molten metallics to form granulated metallic units (GMUs).

Abstract: A wet glazing shield gasket includes a support portion and a sweep that extends from the support portion and that terminates at a barrier lip. The sweep is supported for resilient flexure between a neutral position and a flexed position relative to the support portion. Furthermore, the barrier lip is configured to engage a glazing unit for collapsing the sweep onto the support portion as the sweep flexes away from the neutral position and toward the flexed position. The sweep is configured to extend between the frame and the glazing unit and to be a barrier for the seal member as the sweep flexes away from the neutral position and toward the flexed position. The sweep and the support portion are configured to layer over each other and cooperatively occupy a gap between the glazing unit and the frame when in the flexed position.

Abstract: A transistor device and method of fabrication are provided, where the transistor device may include a first dielectric layer disposed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second dielectric layer disposed directly on the first dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer disposed on the second dielectric layer, a gate structure disposed directly on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the gate channel, and a field plate disposed overlapping the gate structure. The gate may be defined via an opening that extends through the first, second, and third dielectric layers. Portions of the first and second dielectric layers may be interposed directly between the gate structure and the surface of the semiconductor substrate. A portion of the field plate may be disposed in a field plate channel at least partially defined via a second opening that extends through the second dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer.

Abstract: A transistor device and method of fabrication are provided, where the transistor device may include a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second dielectric layer disposed directly on the first dielectric layer, a gate structure disposed directly on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a spacer structure. A first opening through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer may correspond to a gate channel. Portions of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer may be interposed directly between portions of the gate structure and the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The spacer structure may be disposed in the gate channel and interposed between the gate structure and the semiconductor substrate. The spacer structure may contact respective side surfaces of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer that at least partially define the gate channel.

Abstract: Methods for configuring operation of at least one circuit protection device of a power distribution panel comprise receiving configuration instructions having associated therewith configuration data for each circuit protection device; based on the receiving the configuration instructions, configuring one or more operational functions of each circuit protection device; receiving or detecting an indication of a user-verification of the configuration data for one or more of the at least one circuit protection device; and based on the receiving or detecting the indication, configuring the respective circuit protection devices based on the corresponding configuration data.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of improving the inhibitory profile of Streptococcus salivarius comprising formulating the S. salivarius in a composition comprising an effective amount of a supplemental saccharide. Also described herein are compositions comprising Streptococcus salivarius and supplemental saccharide, methods of inhibiting microorganisms using such compositions, therapeutic formulations comprising such compositions, and methods of treating or preventing diseases using such compositions and therapeutic formulations.

Abstract: A fenestration unit includes a fenestration frame with a first frame member, and a sash including a sash frame to support a glazing unit. The fenestration unit includes a channel defined in one of the first frame member and the sash frame that extends along a first axis. The fenestration unit includes a retainer base associated with the other of the first frame member and the sash frame that extends along the first axis. The fenestration unit includes a retainer removably coupled to the first frame member and the sash frame to removably retain the sash frame on the fenestration frame. The retainer has a first retainer arm, a second retainer arm and a third retainer arm. The third retainer arm is movably coupled to the channel and the first retainer arm is movably coupled to the retainer base.

Abstract: A current detection device for measuring current flowing through a conductor having a magnetic core having a channel for receiving the conductor therethrough, and a magnetic field transducer positioned at least partially within an air gap of the magnetic core. The magnetic field transducer is configured to respond to the presence of a magnetic field by generating an output electrical signal based on a flux density of the magnetic field. The magnetic core comprises an absolute saturation flux density that is substantially lower than an absolute saturation flux density of the magnetic field transducer. Accordingly, a response of the current detection device within the magnetic flux density operating range varies in sensitivity and is substantially non-linear. The response of the current detection device is preconfigured. The current detection device may be implemented in devices and systems where a substantially wide sensing range and relatively high, low-current sensitivity is desired.

Abstract: Methods for configuring operation of at least one circuit protection device of a power distribution panel comprise receiving configuration instructions having associated therewith configuration data for each circuit protection device; based on the receiving the configuration instructions, configuring one or more operational functions of each circuit protection device; receiving or detecting an indication of a user-verification of the configuration data for one or more of the at least one circuit protection device; and based on the receiving or detecting the indication, configuring the respective circuit protection devices based on the corresponding configuration data.

Abstract: A current detection device for measuring current flowing through a conductor having a magnetic core having a channel for receiving the conductor therethrough, and a magnetic field transducer positioned at least partially within an air gap of the magnetic core. The magnetic field transducer is configured to respond to the presence of a magnetic field by generating an output electrical signal based on a flux density of the magnetic field. The magnetic core comprises an absolute saturation flux density that is substantially lower than an absolute saturation flux density of the magnetic field transducer. Accordingly, a response of the current detection device within the magnetic flux density operating range varies in sensitivity and is substantially non-linear. The response of the current detection device is preconfigured. The current detection device may be implemented in devices and systems where a substantially wide sensing range and relatively high, low-current sensitivity is desired.