Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such data in the conduct of an assay by an assay system. The present invention also relates to consumables (e.g., kits and reagent containers), software, data deployable bundles, computer-readable media, loading carts, instruments, systems, and methods, for performing automated biological assays.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a sootblower which provides a non-constant rate of rotational motors of the lance tube through the use of non-circular gears in the drive assembly. The drive assembly is used to provide a uniform or near uniform rate of progression of a jet of cleaning medium ejected from the lance tube along a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a sootblower which provides a non-constant rate of rotational motors of the lance tube through the use of non-circular gears in the drive assembly. The drive assembly is used to provide a uniform or near uniform rate of progression of a jet of cleaning medium ejected from the lance tube along a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A paving machine having a medially located dowel bar feeder positioned in front of a dowel bar inserter. The machine has a screw or paddle for spreading the concrete and a front strike-off to allocate a proper amount of unconsolidated concrete beneath the machine. Next in line, internal vibrators are mounted to the machine to perform a preliminary consolidation of the concrete, followed by a screed to meter out a correct volume of consolidated concrete for a finished concrete slab. To the rear of the screed, the dowel bar feeder drops dowel bars in a predetermined pattern on the top surface of the consolidated concrete. The dowel bar inserted is mounted to the paving machine behind the dowel bar feeder and includes a plurality of vibrating forks which descend to engage the dropped dowel bars and insert the dowels into the unhardened concrete. In operation, the dowel bars are dropped and the paving machine is driven forward until the forks are over the dropped dowel bars.

Abstract: A paving machine having a medially located dowel bar feeder positioned in front of a dowel bar inserter. The machine has a screw or paddle for spreading the concrete and a front strike-off to allocate a proper amount of unconsolidated concrete beneath the machine. Next in line, internal vibrators are mounted to the machine to perform a preliminary consolidation of the concrete, followed by a screed to meter out a correct volume of consolidated concrete for a finished concrete slab. To the rear of the screed, the dowel bar feeder drops dowel bars in a predetermined pattern on the top surface of the consolidated concrete. The dowel bar inserter is mounted to the paving machine behind the dowel bar feeder and is adapted to travel between a forward position and a rear position and includes a plurality of vibrating forks which descend to engage the dropped dowel bars and insert the dowels into the unhardened concrete.

Abstract: A self-adjusting joint packing for a sootblower of the type having a stationary feed tube gland with an overfitting lance tube which is moved within the combustion device to emit a blowing medium for cleaning purposes. The joint packing gland mechanism causes the axial loading on the joint packing which forms a seal between the lance tube and the feed tube to be automatically adjusted upon each sootblower actuation cycle. The joint packing gland includes an actuator which engages the sootblower frame upon actuation of the sootblower causing relative rotation between the actuator and lance tube. A friction clutch is interposed between the actuator and a threaded gland to transmit rotation only when a packing preload force is below a predetermined level, thus adjusting packing force when needed.

Abstract: A sootblower hub having packing for sealing between a sootblower feed tube and lance tube. A packing gland is used which provides a live loading feature for exerting an axial force on the packing. The packing gland is comprised of elements which can be separately assembled in a manner which maintains a preload on the packing loading spring, even when it is disassembled from the sootblowing mechanism. Once the packing gland is installed into a sootblower carriage a preload maintaining member can be actuated to enable the axial loading force created by the spring to be transferred to the packing.

Abstract: An anti-drift mechanism for a downwardly oriented port rodder for cleaning a port opening of a recovery boiler. The anti-drift mechanism prevents a cutter of the rodder from accidentally drifting from a retracted holding position into the port upon the loss of holding power to the actuator. Two embodiments are disclosed. The first is a frictional engagement with the port rodder while the second involves the use of a valve in conjuction with the actuator to trap fluid pressure and maintain the rodder in the holding position.

Abstract: A center bar inserter having a frame for supporting a plurality of forks for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis is provided. Insertion of a center bar is preformed by simultaneously extending the forks into the concrete slab while the forks pivot about a horizontal axis. A pair of vibrating sleds are secured to the float pan reward of the center bar inserter for repairing the surface of the concrete slab disturbed by the insertion of the center bar.

Abstract: A long retracting sootblower for boiler cleaning of the type having a lance tube which is advanced into and out of a boiler and simultaneously rotated, and having one or more nozzles discharging a jet of blowing medium which trace helical paths. An indexing mechanism is provided to change the positioning of the helical paths traced by the nozzles between successive actuation cycles to minimize boiler erosion and mechanical stress caused by repeated blowing medium impact against surfaces within the boiler. the indexing mechanism includes relatively slidable longitudinal advancement rack sections which cause the engaging pinion gears to index by one or more teeth upon each actuation cycle. A movable rack portion is biased by a compliant element to remain in a normal position until initial advancement of the lance carriage which causes the movable portion to be indexed with respect to the fixed portion of the rack.

Abstract: A panel indicator (10) which includes a light transmitting indicator rod (16) in engagement with the end (40) of a fiber optic cable (14). A portion of the rod protrudes beyond a retaining housing (12) and has a conical depression (28) formed axially thereof to provide maximum radial dispersion of light from the rod for lateral viewing thereof.

Abstract: A local display of a fluid level is provided in connection with a fiber optic illuminating system in which a side by side, bi-color light is passed through the fluid in a level gauge having transparent viewing ports. Diverging light passing from the level gauge, refracted in response to the fluid and gauge material, is masked and one color is passed to a focusing lens and a local readout in a plane above or below the focusing lens.

Abstract: An accessory transmission conversion mechanism of the type disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,539, to Elting, for causing the lance tube of a long retracting soot blower to oscillate about its longitudinal axis, is provided with a lost motion driving connection between the yoke driving gear and the crank of the Scotch yoke which generates the oscillating motion. A holding portion on the gear permits locking out such lost motion when desired. When lost motion is present, the blowing path is automatically changed when the blower reverses. When locked out, the blowing pattern is changed so that the jet traces the same path in each direction of movement.

Abstract: An improved material transfer mechanism comprising a selectively variable speed hydraulic power assembly having an output connected to and powering a material conveyor. A double acting hydraulic ram positions a swash plate control lever that determines the rotational speed of the output shaft, and a hydraulic porting valve assembly is disposed to actuate the hydraulic ram, the hydraulic porting valve assembly comprising a pivotally supported valve body having an internally disposed fluid control means, the fluid control means being variably displaced in the valve body by the actuation of a pressure controlling mechanism for the purpose of selectively determining and establishing fluid communication of a source of hydraulic pressure fluid to alternate ends of the hydraulic ram with the hydraulic porting valve assembly to selectively control the hydraulic ram.