Abstract: An industrial communication module includes a controller and a common interface coupled to the controller. The common interface is configured to couple to a plurality of different types of sensor modules. The industrial communication module includes protocol/output circuitry coupled to the controller and configured to provide an output to a remote device. A sensor module includes a controller and a common interface coupled to the controller. The common interface is configured to couple to a plurality of different types of industrial communication modules. The sensor module includes measurement processing circuitry coupled to the controller and configured to measure an analog electrical characteristic of a sensor and provide a digital indication of the measured analog electrical characteristic to the controller.

Abstract: A modular industrial transmitter includes a communication module and a sensor module. The communication module is configured to communicate with a remote device and has a common interface configured to couple to a plurality of different types of sensor modules. The sensor module is coupled to the common interface of the communication module. Physical coupling of the communication module to the sensor module is performed tool-lessly.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to optimize processor resources at a user-defined level. In at least one embodiment, priority of one or more tasks are adjusted to prevent one or more other dependent tasks from entering an idle state due to lack of resources to consume.

Abstract: A delivery and deployment system having a control handle operable to deliver and/or deploy an implantable device, e.g., transluminally. A steering control system may include a steering control knob rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the handle to axially pull on a steering element to steer a flexible elongate member to deliver an implantable device to a desired site. An implantable device deployment system may include a slider selectively slidable with respect to the control handle to deploy an implantable device, and optionally to retain the implantable device in a delivery position. A tether adjustment system may include a knob rotatable about the handle's longitudinal axis to axially pull on a tether element to adjust the tension and/or length thereof. A tensioning and locking system may include a knob rotatable about the handle's longitudinal axis to shift a tensioning and locking device to set the tether element's tension and/or length.

Abstract: A delivery/deployment system having a control handle configured to control delivery and/or deployment of a medical device with arms configured to grasp tissue therebetween. The system may include a device spreader with arms engaging the medical device arms and controlled by an actuator operably coupled with the control handle. The control handle may include a lever pivotable to similarly pivot the device spreader and medical device arms open or closed. A device retention assembly may be provided to retain the medical device with respect to the device spreader. The control handle may include a release element movable to shift the retention assembly into a disengaged configuration allowing release of the medical device from the device spreader. The control handle may axially translate and/or rotate the device spreader into a desired position, and may be fixable in position by a handle lock once in a desired position.

Abstract: A zirconium alloy cladding tube for use in a water cooled nuclear reactor under normal operating conditions and under high temperature oxidation conditions is described. The cladding tube has a coating uniformly deposited thereon. The coating, which may be up to 300 microns thick, is selected from the group consisting of chromium, a chromium-based alloy, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed that monitor an area adjacent to power system components and detect objects that may pose a probable risk of causing a fault, for example, making contact with the power system component. Various embodiments initiate a preventative, a corrective, and/or a mitigative action in advance of the fault. Examples of possible actions include, but are not limited to, an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, a remote notification, a limiting of machinery motion, a stopping of machinery motion, a reversing of machinery motion, de-energization of the power system component, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A device for reforming a vessel cavity is provided that includes a central shaft, a central gear coupled to the central shaft, and a plurality of roller gears coupled to the central gear, with each of the plurality of roller gears having a central portion. A proximal support member couples the plurality of roller gears and at least one of the central gear and the central shaft. A plurality of rollers is also provided, each of the plurality of rollers connected to the central portion of each of the plurality of roller gears. In one form, at least one idler member is disposed between the plurality of rollers. A distal support member couples the plurality of rollers and at least one of the central gear and a translation member. Also, a stationary member is secured to a distal portion of the vessel cavity.

Abstract: A method is described for forming duplex layers including an interlayer and a corrosion resistant boundary layer on a nuclear fuel rod cladding tube for use in a water cooled nuclear reactor. The method includes forming, by thermal deposition or physical vapor deposition, on the exterior of a substrate, an inner interlayer with Mo, Ta, W or Nb or other particles, and forming, by thermal deposition or physical vapor deposition, on the interlayer, an outer corrosion resistant layer with particles selected from the group consisting of Cr, a Cr alloy, and combinations thereof. The interlayer prevents eutectic formation between the corrosion resistant layer and the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed that monitor an area adjacent to power system components and detect objects that may pose a probable risk of causing a fault, for example, making contact with the power system component. Various embodiments initiate a preventative, a corrective, and/or a mitigative action in advance of the fault. Examples of possible actions include, but are not limited to, an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, a remote notification, a limiting of machinery motion, a stopping of machinery motion, a reversing of machinery motion, de-energization of the power system component, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and methods of use for collecting particles. An example collection device includes (a) a vessel defining a chamber, wherein the vessel includes a distal end and a proximal end, (b) an inlet port extending from the proximal end of the vessel, wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the chamber, and (c) an outlet port extending from the proximal end of the vessel, wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the chamber, and wherein the outlet port includes a porous material positioned between the chamber and the outlet port.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed that monitor an area adjacent to power system components and detect objects that may pose a probable risk of causing a fault, for example, making contact with the power system component. Various embodiments initiate a preventative, a corrective, and/or a mitigative action in advance of the fault. Examples of possible actions include, but are not limited to, an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, a remote notification, a limiting of machinery motion, a stopping of machinery motion, a reversing of machinery motion, de-energization of the power system component, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for coating the substrate of a component, such as a zirconium alloy cladding tube, for use in a water cooled nuclear reactor under normal operating conditions and under high temperature oxidation conditions. The method includes heating a pressurized carrier gas to a temperature between 200° C. and 1200° C., adding chromium or chromium-based alloy particles having an average diameter of 20 microns or less to the heated carrier gas, and spraying the carrier gas and particles onto the substrate at a velocity, preferably from 800 to 4000 ft./sec. (about 243.84 to 1219.20 meters/sec.), to form a chromium and/or chromium-based alloy coating on the substrate to a desired thickness.

Abstract: A zirconium alloy cladding tube for use in a water cooled nuclear reactor under normal operating conditions and under high temperature oxidation conditions is described. The cladding tube has a coating uniformly deposited thereon. The coating, which may be up to 300 microns thick, is selected from the group consisting of chromium, a chromium-based alloy, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of treating a tubular medical device with a biomolecule comprises the steps of: a) providing a polyolefin tubular substrate forming a tubular medical device; b) cleaning the tubular polyolefin substrate; c) exposing the tubular polyolefin substrate to a reactive gas containing at least one of acrylic acid and siloxane and to plasma energy to yield a plasma-deposited coating on at least one surface of the tubular polyolefin substrate; and d) attaching a biomolecule to the polyolefin substrate following formation of the plasma-deposited coating on at least one surface of the tubular polyolefin substrate, and wherein the biomolecule is at least one of an antibacterial agent, antimicrobial agent, anticoagulant, heparin, antithrombotic agent, platelet agent, anti-inflammatory, enzyme, catalyst, hormone, growth factor, drug, vitamin, antibody, antigen, protein, nucleic acid, dye, a DNA segment, an RNA segment, protein, and peptide.

Abstract: A device for reforming a vessel cavity is provided that includes a central shaft, a central gear coupled to the central shaft, and a plurality of roller gears coupled to the central gear, with each of the plurality of roller gears having a central portion. A proximal support member couples the plurality of roller gears and at least one of the central gear and the central shaft. A plurality of rollers is also provided, each of the plurality of rollers connected to the central portion of each of the plurality of roller gears. In one form, at least one idler member is disposed between the plurality of rollers. A distal support member couples the plurality of rollers and at least one of the central gear and a translation member. Also, a stationary member is secured to a distal portion of the vessel cavity.

Abstract: A measurement system and methods are disclosed. The system has intensity coding optics comprising a plurality of imaging channels with overlapping fields of view. The intensity coding optics are adapted to provide intensity coded information indicative of a position of one or more objects, wherein each of the imaging channels provides a difference in intensity verses an angular position of the one or more objects. The system also has an electromagnetic energy detector adapted to: (a) receive the intensity coded information, wherein the electromagnetic energy detector comprises a size larger than a spatial resolution of the intensity coding optics, and (b) output data from the electromagnetic energy detector; and a processing device adapted to receive the data and determine the position of the one or more objects.

Abstract: Water soluble plant growth regulating compositions in granule form and methods for making and using same. The granules comprise an active medium, a carrier medium and optionally a surfactant, wherein the active medium comprises: a gibberellin, a cytokinin, and an auxin. The inventive compositions are shelf stable and may be completely dissolved in water prior to application on a plant or seed.

Abstract: A method of treating a tubular medical device with a biomolecule comprises the steps of: a) providing a polyolefin tubular substrate forming a tubular medical device; b) cleaning the tubular polyolefin substrate; c) exposing the tubular polyolefin substrate to a reactive gas containing at least one of acrylic acid and siloxane and to plasma energy to yield a plasma-deposited coating on at least one surface of the tubular polyolefin substrate; and d) attaching a biomolecule to the polyolefin substrate following formation of the plasma-deposited coating on at least one surface of the tubular polyolefin substrate, and wherein the biomolecule is at least one of an antibacterial agent, antimicrobial agent, anticoagulant, heparin, antithrombotic agent, platelet agent, anti-inflammatory, enzyme, catalyst, hormone, growth factor, drug, vitamin, antibody, antigen, protein, nucleic acid, dye, a DNA segment, an RNA segment, protein, and peptide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and methods of use for collecting particles. An example collection device includes (a) a vessel defining a chamber, wherein the vessel includes a distal end and a proximal end, (b) an inlet port extending from the proximal end of the vessel, wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the chamber, and (c) an outlet port extending from the proximal end of the vessel, wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the chamber, and wherein the outlet port includes a porous material positioned between the chamber and the outlet port.