Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents are provided. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving a packet of a plurality of documents and separating the documents to serially feed the documents to a scanner. A retard adjacent the feeder is operable in first and second positions. In the first position the retard forms a nip with the feeder so that the retard is operable to impede the progress of one or more documents in the packet while the feeder feeds one of the documents in the packet. In the second position, the retard is spaced apart from the feeder to form a gap between the feeder and the retard. The system further includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the documents in a packet indicative of whether the number of documents in the packet exceeds a predetermined threshold. A drive mechanism automatically drives the retard pad between the first and second positions in response to the detected characteristic.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-fiber bundle. The multi-fiber bundle includes a multi-fiber bundle neutral axis. The multi-fiber bundle includes at least three optical fibers. The at least three optical fibers includes respective optical fiber neutral axes. The at least three optical fibers are registered such that at least a portion, of the multi-fiber bundle neutral axis remains at a constant distance front at least a portion of the respective optical fiber neutral axes. The at least three optical fibers are coated with an optical fiber coating material. The at least three coated optical fibers are cured.

Abstract: A peracid bleaching species is formed in situ in aqueous wash liquor by reaction of a peroxygen bleach precursor, such as perborate or percarbonate, and a bleach activator. The bleach activator is an acetylated ethylene diamine, that comprises at east 25% triacetyl ethylene diamine. The peracid is formed more rapidly even at low temperatures (F2) compared to use of conventional pure tetracetyl ethylene diamine (F1) and better disinfectant properties result.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a composite flexure may secure a rotor blade to a yoke in a tiltrotor rotor system. The composite flexure includes a composite body, a first end configured to couple the composite member to the yoke, and a second end configured to couple the composite member to the rotor blade.

Abstract: An excavator (10) has a quick coupler (24) coupled to the distal end (22) of its excavator arm (12). The quick coupler (24) can be operated from the cab (14) of the excavator (10), and is connected to a warning control system (48) or an instructional device (102). The warning control system (48) is connected to a coupler control circuit (46), which controls the coupler (24) and the system or circuit acquires information on the coupler's status. A control system activation warning circuit is then arranged to be responsible for issuing warning signals (53, 54) to personnel located external of the cab when the coupler control circuit (46) is activated into an accessory coupling procedure mode, or an accessory decoupling procedure mode. To do this, the warning circuit (48) is coupled to an audio and/or visual alarm (50, 52) for directing the warnings (53, 54) to the personnel, including bystanders. The instructional device, however, instructs the operator as to how to use the coupler.

Abstract: A method for connecting low power radios into a self-assembling and self-healing network with multiple portals to higher speed networks such as, but not limited to, electrical or optical Ethernet is provided for monitoring transmission lines, for example. A clamp or other device is provided that includes an integral or associated current transformer and associated circuitry with design elements to address high temperature operation or other operating parameters. An arrangement of sensors is provided (e.g., sensors can be associated with clamps or positioned along infrastructure being monitored and without dependence on any clamps or other devices) that are designed to communicate and operate in an geographically distributed array to provide increased and autonomous monitoring of large utility, highway, communication and similar networks. A unique collection of sensors (e.g.

Abstract: A coupler for receiving first and second pins of an accessory. A first latching mechanism is associated with a first jaw, having an arm connected to and extending away from a latching member thereof, and a second latching mechanism is associated with a second jaw, the first and second latching mechanisms adapted to latch the first and second pins of an accessory in or on the first jaw and the second jaw, respectively. The second latching mechanism is powered for movement between a latching position and a non-latching position. The first latching mechanism is connected to, or connectable with, the second latching mechanism to allow operation of the second latching mechanism selectively to operate the first latching mechanism between its own latching and non-latching positions by means of a groove or flange or finger provided on the second latching mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid preheater (10) includes a body (12) having an interior wall (28) defining a chamber (42) and having an inlet (50) and an outlet (52). One or more heaters (18) are disposed in the wall (28), but not exposed to the chamber (42). The chamber (42) has one or more baffles that cause turbulence in the flow of fluid through the chamber (42) from the inlet (50) to the outlet (52) in order to increase the exposure of the fluid to heat from the heaters (18, 64).

Abstract: A SFP checking device (SFP Check) connects to a SFP transceiver and a PC or laptop via a USB cable. The SFP Check uses the default web browser of the PC, without an internet connection, to display details of the SFP transceiver such as wavelength, description, range, manufacturer, among other information, in accordance with program code provided to the PC via the SFP Check. All of the information a technician in the field needs to determine which SFP transceiver is the right one for a selected application and optical link is available from the SFP Check. The SFP Check and SFP transceiver both receive power via the USB cable connection to the PC. The SFP Check appears to the PC as a memory stick. A method is provided for determining the drive letter associated with the SFP Check and the program coder or file(s) it provides to the PC.

Abstract: Couplers for attaching an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator. Couplers having a first side for attaching the coupler to the excavator arm and a second side onto which the accessory will be coupled. The coupler includes a latch for selectively securing and releasing an attachment pin of the accessory in a jaw, groove, hook or slot in the second side of the coupler. The coupler is fully controllable from within the cab of the excavator and it allows improved security in the securement of the accessory to the coupler, i.e. preventing accidental decouplings, but while still allowing intentional decoupling operations to be carried out without undue burden.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a knee prosthesis system with at least a first tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial) and a second tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial), wherein each of the first tibial portion element and the second tibial portion element has a different slope. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of implanting a knee prosthesis, wherein the method utilizes at least a first tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial) and a second tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial), wherein each of the first tibial portion element and the second tibial portion element has a different slope.

Abstract: A battery includes a housing, an anode and a cathode within the housing, the anode having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to each other, a current collector at least partially disposed in the anode, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an anode portion separator at least partially disposed in the anode and between the first and second portions of the anode.

Abstract: Couplers for attaching an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator. Couplers having a first side for attaching the coupler to the excavator arm and a second side onto which the accessory will be coupled. The coupler includes a latch for selectively securing and releasing an attachment pin of the accessory in a jaw, groove, hook or slot in the second side of the coupler. The coupler is fully controllable from within the cab of the excavator and it allows improved security in the securement of the accessory to the coupler, i.e. preventing accidental decouplings, but while still allowing intentional decoupling operations to be carried out without undue burden.

Abstract: A primary battery includes a cathode having an acid-treated manganese dioxide, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an alkaline electrolyte.

Abstract: A coupler for receiving first and second pins of an accessory. A first latching mechanism is associated with a first jaw, having an arm connected to and extending away from a latching member thereof, and a second latching mechanism is associated with a second jaw, the first and second latching mechanisms adapted to latch the first and second pins of an accessory in or on the first jaw and the second jaw, respectively. The second latching mechanism is powered for movement between a latching position and a non-latching position. The first latching mechanism is connected to, or connectable with, the second latching mechanism to allow operation of the second latching mechanism selectively to operate the first latching mechanism between its own latching and non-latching positions by means of a groove or flange or finger provided on the second latching mechanism.

Abstract: A coupler includes first and second attachment pin jaws. A first latching mechanism is associated with the first jaw. The first latching mechanism has an arm connected to and extending away from a latching member. A second latching mechanism is associated with the jaw. The first and second latching mechanisms are adapted to latch the first and second attachment pins of an accessory in or on the first jaw and the second jaw, respectively. The second latching mechanism is powered for movement between a latching position and a non-latching position. The first latching mechanism is operatively connected to, or connectable with, the second latching mechanism to allow it to selectively operate the first latching mechanism between latching and non-latching positions by means of a groove or flange or finger on the second latching mechanism. A magnet is provided to ensure a correct disengagement of the first latch latching mechanism.

Abstract: Couplers for attaching an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator. Couplers having a first side for attaching the coupler to the excavator arm and a second side onto which the accessory will be coupled. The coupler includes a latch for selectively securing and releasing an attachment pin of the accessory in a jaw, groove, hook or slot in the second side of the coupler. The coupler is fully controllable from within the cab of the excavator and it allows improved security in the securement of the accessory to the coupler, i.e. preventing accidental decouplings, but while still allowing intentional decoupling operations to be carried out without undue burden.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable fire pit to be used in conjunction with particularly sized fuel blocks, whereby these fuel blocks are manually positioned in a square-shaped configuration around ventilation holds provided through the base of the fire pit. Alignment flanges on the base provide a positioning and alignment brace structure for the fuel blocks, which are fitted into an abutting relationship with the alignment flanges and one another on the base. The ventilation holes are formed to align with an inner chimney formed by the positioning of the fuel blocks. This chimney is formed over the ventilation holes to allow the fire to burn from the chimney outwardly through the blocks and thereby provide an efficient burning of the fuel.

Abstract: An adjustable assembly attaches to the rear storage compartment of a motorcycle and can be positioned in different locations so as to make the rear seating area larger or smaller as desired.