Abstract: A method of producing bioethanol in a bioethanol system and a control system for a bioethanol system is disclosed, the control system comprising a controller comprising one or more processors and an interface, wherein the one or more processors are configured to obtain a grain flour flow of grain flour; determine an input scheme based on the grain flour flow; and control one or more input devices of the bioethanol system according to the input scheme. The one or more processors may further be configured to sense one or more indicators associated with a fermentation (e.g., bioethanol) system, to determine a yeast blend ratio based at least partially on the one or more indicators, generate one or more control signals based on the determined yeast blend, and convey the one or more control signals to the fermentation system. Associated systems, apparatuses, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator release mechanism includes an operator chassis having a first side. A shaft extending in a first direction from the first side of the chassis. A brake assembly coupled to the chassis and the first shaft extends into the brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a lever, mounted to a mounting plate of the brake assembly on end and freely movable at the other end. A cable attached to the lever that when pulled pivots the lever about its mounting point. When moved, the lever disengages the brake assembly allowing for free movement of the movable barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a first side panel having a first opening and a second side panel, opposing the first side panel, where the second side panel has a second opening. The operator further includes a motor having a first side and an opposing second side including a first shaft extending in a first direction and a second shaft of the motor extending in a second opposite direction. The operator further includes a first bearing, the first bearing inserted into the first opening of the first side panel, wherein the first shaft of the motor is inserted through the first bearing and a second bearing, the second bearing inserted into the second opening of the second side panel, wherein the second shaft of the motor is inserted through the second bearing to thereby prevent transfer of vibration from the motor to the second side panel.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator includes a first side panel having a first opening and a second side panel, opposing the first side panel, where the second side panel has a second opening. The operator further includes a motor having a first side and an opposing second side including a first shaft extending in a first direction and a second shaft of the motor extending in a second opposite direction. The operator further includes a first bearing, the first bearing inserted into the first opening of the first side panel, wherein the first shaft of the motor is inserted through the first bearing and a second bearing, the second bearing inserted into the second opening of the second side panel, wherein the second shaft of the motor is inserted through the second bearing to thereby prevent transfer of vibration from the motor to the second side panel.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator release mechanism includes an operator chassis having a first side. A shaft extending in a first direction from the first side of the chassis. A brake assembly coupled to the chassis and the first shaft extends into the brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a lever, mounted to a mounting plate of the brake assembly on end and freely movable at the other end. A cable attached to the lever that when pulled pivots the lever about its mounting point. When moved, the lever disengages the brake assembly allowing for free movement of the movable barrier.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying, assessing and prioritizing risks are provided. The system and method may include a risk identification module that may identify one or more risks to a business, organization, entity, group or department within the entity, etc. One or more risk variables associated with each identified risk may then be identified. In some examples, the risk variables may be the same or substantially similar for all identified risks. A risk score for each identified risk variable may be determined and an overall risk score for each identified risk may then be determined based on the determined variable risk scores. In some examples, the overall score may be normalized on a predetermined scale. Once an overall score for each risk is determined, the risks having the highest priority may be identified.

Abstract: A utility strap which may be used to retain utility lines may include a finger defining a receiving section wherein the receiving section is sized to hold utility lines; a tab extending from one end of the finger wherein the tab defines an attaching surface and the tab contains at least one aperture on the attaching surface; a bushing sized to fit into the at least one aperture and the bushing having a through hole sized to receive fasteners.

Abstract: A spherical lens formed by fusing a generally homogenous glass lens blank to the distal end of an optical fiber, heating and tensioning the lens blank to separate it in two segments with the segment attached to the optical fiber defining a tapered end, and heating the lens blank above its softening point so that the spherical lens forms. The lens blank is fabricated from a 4 weight percent borosilicate glass having a softening point less than that of the core of the optical fiber. The lens member defines a throat region adjacent the optical fiber whose cross-sectional dimension is substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber, but substantially less than the diameter of the spherical lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polarization combiner/splitter. The polarization combiner/splitter includes a first ferrule, a first optical fiber assembly coupled to the first ferrule and a second optical fiber assembly coupled to the first ferrule. The polarization combiner/splitter also includes a walk-off crystal coupled to the first ferrule. A second ferrule is coupled to the walk-off crystal; and a third optical fiber assembly coupled to the second ferrule. The first optical fiber assembly includes a first fiber GRIN lens coupled to a first polarization mode maintaining optical waveguide fiber. The second optical fiber assembly includes a second fiber GRIN lens coupled to a second polarization mode maintaining optical waveguide fiber. The third optical fiber assembly includes a third fiber GRIN lens and a first single mode optical waveguide fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring polarization dependent loss is disclosed featuring several fiber optic couplers combined in tandem and oriented such that the PDL noise of the measurement system is reduced to a negligible level. By matching the PDLs of the couplers and vectorally subtracting opposite phases of polarization, the PDL of the measurement system is virtually eliminated. Thus, the PDL noise floor is lowered to near zero and the PDL of the optical device-under-test (DUT) can be accurately measured. The system is relatively inexpensive to implement and offers needed versatility because it measures the PDL of optical devices that operate in a reflection mode or in a forward transmission mode. Thus, it provides one PDL measurement solution for both types of devices.

Abstract: A switching element formed with at least a pair of intersecting channel optical waveguide paths. A polymer switching element is formed across the waveguide paths at the point of intersection. The offstate refractive index of the polymer switching element substantially matches the refractive index of the waveguide paths. Optical switching between the waveguides is achieved by changing the refractive index of the polymer switching element by applying heat to the polymer switching element. The heat can be applied by a thin-film heater formed on top of the polymer switching element at the switch intersection. The application of heat causes total internal reflection in the polymer switching element to divert light from the first or input waveguide path to the second or cross-state output waveguide path.

Abstract: A spherical lens formed by fusing a generally homogenous glass lens blank to the distal end of an optical fiber, heating and tensioning the lens blank to separate it in two segments with the segment attached to the optical fiber defining a tapered end, and heating the lens blank above its softening point so that the spherical lens forms. The lens blank is fabricated from a 4 mole percent borosilicate glass having a softening point less than that of the core of the optical fiber. The lens member defines a throat region adjacent the optical fiber whose cross-sectional dimension is substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber, but substantially less than the diameter of the spherical lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring polarization dependent loss is disclosed featuring several fiber optic couplers combined in tandem and oriented such that the PDL noise of the measurement system is reduced to a negligible level. By matching the PDLs of the couplers and vectorally subtracting opposite phases of polarization, the PDL of the measurement system is virtually eliminated. Thus, the PDL noise floor is lowered to near zero and the PDL of the optical device-under-test (DUT) can be accurately measured. The system is relatively inexpensive to implement and offers needed versatility because it measures the PDL of optical devices that operate in a reflection mode or in a forward transmission mode. Thus, it provides one PDL measurement solution for both types of devices.

Abstract: A door operator system for an upward acting sectional or one piece (California-type) garage door includes a DC variable speed motor directly connected to a drive mechanism for moving the door between open and closed positions. A motor control circuit includes circuit components for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor and for delivering a pulse width modulated voltage signal to the motor to control motor speed. A current sensor including a split core transformer and a Hall effect sensor detects motor current and provides a signal to a microcontroller for stopping the motor or stopping and reversing the motor if the motor current reaches a preset limit which is user settable by potentiometers connected to the microcontroller. Magnetic position limit switches and an obstruction detector are operably connected to the microcontroller to provide input signals indicating the state of the door and the control circuit.

Abstract: A garage door operator is disclosed to have a front coupling for a threaded screw of the operator and the rotor of the motor. The coupling includes a first coupling device that is a unitary coupling member with opposing recesses for receiving each of the rotor shaft and an end portion of the screw. The unitary coupling member thereby connects the screw to the motor for torque transmission from the motor. The second coupling device includes a thrust containment device that is supported on the screw, and an intermediate assembly disposed between the thrust containment device and an end portion of the guide rail of the door operator. A retainer component of the intermediate assembly restricts expansion of the thrust containment device.

Abstract: A door operator for a reversibly operable door includes a frame and a carriage movably mounted on the frame and attached to a door for moving the door between open and closed positions. A drive member, specifically a roller chain, extends along the frame and moves the carriage. A drive train is provided within a housing and is connected for moving the drive member, and a control circuit is provided for controlling the drive train to open and close the door. A pair of limit switches is mounted within the housing and connected to the control circuit for stopping the drive train when the door has reached a completed position. A pair of limit cams are adjustably mounted on a limit wheel within the housing and separate from the carriage for engaging the limit switches. The limit wheel, which is separate from the drive member, is connected to the drive train to rotate when the drive train moves the carriage.

Abstract: A door operator for a reversibly operable door, such as a garage door, includes a frame and a carriage movably mounted on the frame and attached to a door for moving the door between open and closed positions. A flexible drive member, such as an endless chain, extends on the frame and is capable of moving the carriage. A drive train is on the frame connected for moving the flexible drive member. A motor housing is mounted on the frame within the motor housing and connected to the drive train. The motor has a shaft extending from the motor housing and engaging the drive train. A bearing assembly that includes metal thrust bearings is on the shaft adjacent to the motor. The metal thrust bearing assembly increases the performance of the electric motor, and thus provides a more powerful motor without changing to a larger motor or otherwise modifying the motor design. The motor is mounted on the frame so as to allow the shaft freely to move axially relative to the motor to permit the shaft to self-align.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupler is formed by assembling a coupler preform having two concentric glass tubes having a gap between them. The shape and/or size of the inner tube relative to the shape and/or size of the outer tube is such that a plurality of output optical fibers can be equally spaced in the gap. An input optical fiber is disposed in an aperture in the inner tube. The input and output fibers extend through the midregion of the resultant coupler preform. The midregion is heated to collapse it about the fibers, and the central portion of the midregion is stretched to reduce the diameter over a predetermined length.

Abstract: An overclad fiber optic coupler is formed from a coupler preform including a glass tube having a longitudinal aperture. The aperture is formed of a plurality of similarly shaped side walls, each of which includes a longitudinally extending, inwardly projecting protrusions. The region between each two adjacent protrusions constitutes a corner region. Disposed within the aperture are at least a portion of each of a plurality of glass optical fibers, one fiber being situated in each corner region. The midregion of the tube is collapsed onto the fibers, the protrusions maintaining the fibers in their relative positions. At least a portion of the midregion is stretched to reduce the tube midregion diameter.