Abstract: An apparatus for lipophilically conditioning potato slices, the apparatus comprising an elongate tank for containing a reservoir of oil, the tank having an upstream end and a downstream end, an elongate longitudinal conveyor disposed in the tank, the conveyor being adapted to pass products through the reservoir of oil from the upstream end to the downstream end, the conveyor defining therealong a plurality of compartments for containing respective groups of products during passage from the upstream end to the downstream end, and at least one oil jet located on the tank for causing turbulent flow in the reservoir of oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diverter system to allow a line inspection robot to traverse an object. The diverter system includes a first diverter attached to a shield wire, a second diverter attached to the shield wire at a position spaced from the first diverter, and a bridge having a first end connected to the first diverter and a second end connected to the second diverter. The first diverter disengages the robot from the shield wire and onto the bridge and the second diverter disengages the robot from the bridge and onto the shield wire to allow the robot to traverse the object.

Abstract: A pneumatic seasoning system and method utilizing a rotating drum for seasoning, a funnel-fed pneumatic eductor, line splitters, and a plurality of specially-designed swirl-inducing nozzle spools for inducing a broad and even seasoning plume. In a preferred embodiment, a pneumatic seasoning system transports seasoning from a seasoning hopper to food items within a rotating drum using a combination of an eductor and four in-line vacuum generators, which vacuum generators operate on compressed air. Each vacuum generator comprises a distributing nozzle roughly shaped like a collared spool, wherein compressed air is supplied to the annular region defined between the spool and its collar, and said compressed air exits through swirl ports distributed about the circumference of the spool exit. Each swirl port preferably has a pitch angle of 15° and a yaw angle of 15°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overhead transmission line inspection robot and system for inspecting transmission line components and right of way conditions. The line inspection robot includes at least one drive system for propelling the robot along a line, a platform adapted to pivot relative to the at least one drive system, and a control system adapted to control the robot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diverter system to allow a line inspection robot to traverse an object. The diverter system includes a first diverter attached to a shield wire, a second diverter attached to the shield wire at a position spaced from the first diverter, and a bridge having a first end connected to the first diverter and a second end connected to the second diverter. The first diverter disengages the robot from the shield wire and onto the bridge and the second diverter disengages the robot from the bridge and onto the shield wire to allow the robot to traverse the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overhead transmission line inspection robot and system for inspecting transmission line components and right of way conditions. The overhead transmission line inspection robot includes a communications and control system adapted to control the robot and transmit information and a drive system for propelling the robot along a shield wire to enable inspection over a large area. The robot further includes a camera adapted to inspect right of way and component conditions; a light detection and ranging (LiDar) sensor adapted to measure conductor position, vegetation, and nearby structures; and a global positioning system adapted to identify the robot's position and speed.

Abstract: A pneumatic seasoning system and method utilizing a rotating drum for seasoning, a funnel-fed pneumatic eductor, line splitters, and a plurality of specially-designed swirl-inducing nozzle spools for inducing a broad and even seasoning plume. In a preferred embodiment, a pneumatic seasoning system transports seasoning from a seasoning hopper to food items within a rotating drum using a combination of an eductor and four in-line vacuum generators, which vacuum generators operate on compressed air. Each vacuum generator comprises a distributing nozzle roughly shaped like a collared spool, wherein compressed air is supplied to the annular region defined between the spool and its collar, and said compressed air exits through swirl ports distributed about the circumference of the spool exit. Each swirl port preferably has a pitch angle of 15° and a yaw angle of 15°.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a earth boring tool, comprising placing a tool in a positioner of an system which then conforms the tool to a model through the performance of a plurality of processing steps thereon. The positioner may move the tool in two axis. The system may include a manipulator which performs each of the processing steps. Alternatively, the system may include a plurality of manipulators, each performing a different one of the processing steps. The processing steps may include various shaping, cleaning, painting, and packaging steps. The processing steps may be performed without removing the tool from the positioner. The tool may be repositioned in the positioner during or between processing steps. For example, performing the processing steps may comprise performing one or more of the process steps, repositioning the tool in the positioner, and re-performing the one or more of the process steps.

Abstract: A pneumatic seasoning system and method utilizing a rotating drum for seasoning, a funnel-fed pneumatic eductor, line splitters, and a plurality of specially-designed swirl-inducing nozzle spools for inducing a broad and even seasoning plume. In a preferred embodiment, a pneumatic seasoning system transports seasoning from a seasoning hopper to food items within a rotating drum using a combination of an eductor and four in-line vacuum generators, which vacuum generators operate on compressed air. Each vacuum generator comprises a distributing nozzle roughly shaped like a collared spool, wherein compressed air is supplied to the annular region defined between the spool and its collar, and said compressed air exits through swirl ports distributed about the circumference of the spool exit. Each swirl port preferably has a pitch angle of 15° and a yaw angle of 15°.

Abstract: A pneumatic seasoning system and method utilizing a rotating drum for seasoning, a funnel-fed pneumatic eductor, line splitters, and a plurality of specially-designed swirl-inducing nozzle spools for inducing a broad and even seasoning plume. In a preferred embodiment, a pneumatic seasoning system transports seasoning from a seasoning hopper to food items within a rotating drum using a combination of an eductor and four in-line vacuum generators, which vacuum generators operate on compressed air. Each vacuum generator comprises a distributing nozzle roughly shaped like a collared spool, wherein compressed air is supplied to the annular region defined between the spool and its collar, and said compressed air exits through swirl ports distributed about the circumference of the spool exit. Each swirl port preferably has a pitch angle of 15° and a yaw angle of 15°.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making wire harness. The apparatus includes the use of a sequential wire processor that serially and sequentially fabricates circuits having terminal ends. The terminated circuits are transferred by a transfer means to an upstanding carousel provided with arrays of circuit-receiving clips. The transfer means receives terminated circuits from the sequential wire processor and places them on the clips of the carousel. The carousel is then moved to an assembly line and robotic station where robots remove the circuits from the clips of the carousel and place the terminated ends of the circuits in cavities of connectors strategically located on the assembly line. The robots have end effectors that physically insert the terminal ends into the connector cavities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making wire harness. The apparatus includes the use of a sequential wire processor that serially and sequentially fabricates circuits having terminal ends. The terminated circuits are transferred by a transfer means to an upstanding carousel provided with arrays of circuit-receiving clips. The transfer means receives terminated circuits from the sequential wire processor and places them on the clips of the carousel. The carousel is then moved to an assembly line and robotic station where robots remove the circuits from the clips of the carousel and place the terminated ends of the circuits in cavities of connectors strategically located on the assembly line. The robots have end effectors that physically insert the terminal ends into the connector cavities.

Abstract: An optical sensor which can be used in conjunction with an automatic stripping apparatus. A plurality of sensing elements are placed in a predetermined geometrical relationship with respect to a plurality of nozzles which deliver paint stripping material. Each of the sensing elements comprises a lens system which optimizes inspection of the desired field of view while minimizing the effects of light from outside the desired field of view. The sensing elements produce optical signals which are converted into electrical signals by a plurality of optical detectors. The signal output of the plurality of detectors is analyzed using a programmable digital computer which is used to control a robotic positioning system.