Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for characterizing an impact in a fabric. The system may include a sensing element woven in the fabric wherein a parameter of the sensing element depends on a strain in the sensing element; a transducer coupled to the sensing element wherein the transducer is configured to generate an output based on the parameter of the sensing element; and a controller coupled to the transducer, the controller configured to receive the output of the transducer, to determine a strain in the sensing element based, at least in part, on a change in the output of the transducer, and to characterize the impact in the fabric based on the strain in the sensing element.

Abstract: An automated bale wrapping control system for a round baler that includes a simplified remotely installable operator interface for installation on a tractor. The simplified operator interface includes manual operated, mechanical input switches for selecting system on/off, number of wraps, twine or net wrapper selection, manual extension/retraction of the wrapping mechanism, and/or manual wrap cycle initiation. An audible alarm provides feedback to the operator for monitoring the baling and wrapping processes and for alerting the operator to abnormal conditions in the baling and/or wrapping processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for characterizing an impact in a fabric. The system may include a sensing element woven in the fabric wherein a parameter of the sensing element depends on a strain in the sensing element; a transducer coupled to the sensing element wherein the transducer is configured to generate an output based on the parameter of the sensing element; and a controller coupled to the transducer, the controller configured to receive the output of the transducer, to determine a strain in the sensing element based, at least in part, on a change in the output of the transducer, and to characterize the impact in the fabric based on the strain in the sensing element.

Abstract: A round bale wrapping mechanism that employs a second roll of wrapping material that is mounted adjacent an active roll. The second roll is powered by an electric clutch that allows a belt drive connected between the first roll and the second roll to rotate the second roll of wrapping material. The wrapping material on the second roll thus feeds onto the wrapping material being fed from the active roll and if fed through the wrapping mechanism onto the bale before the active roll is exhausted of wrapping material.

Abstract: A round bale wrapping mechanism that employs a second roll of wrapping material that is mounted adjacent an active roll. The second roll is powered by an electric clutch that allows a belt drive connected between the first roll and the second roll to rotate the second roll of wrapping material. The wrapping material on the second roll thus feeds onto the wrapping material being fed from the active roll and if fed through the wrapping mechanism onto the bale before the active roll is exhausted of wrapping material.

Abstract: A round bale wrapping mechanism that employs a second roll of wrapping material that is mounted adjacent an active roll. The second roll is powered by an electric clutch that allows a belt drive connected between the first roll and the second roll to rotate the second roll of wrapping material. The wrapping material on the second roll thus feeds onto the wrapping material being fed from the active roll and if fed through the wrapping mechanism onto the bale before the active roll is exhausted of wrapping material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a secured access controller for use in connection with a network that communicates with content servers that store content objects and client processing systems that request access to the stored content objects. The secured access controller comprises: 1) a database for storing a plurality of encryption keys and a plurality of decoding keys associated with selected ones of the content servers and the client processing systems; and 2) an encryption controller for receiving from a first one of the client processing systems an access request for a first selected one of the content objects stored on a first one of the content servers and, in response thereto, generating a first encryption key and transmitting the first encryption key to the first client processing system, wherein the first encryption key is usable by the first client processing system to encrypt client messages transmitted to the secured access controller.

Abstract: A reactive armor structure having an outer layer and a reactive element adjacent to and integral with the outer layer is provided. The reactive element provides an amount of support to the outer layer effective to restrain movement of the outer layer and to delay fracture of the outer layer when the outer layer is impacted by a projectile.

Abstract: There is disclosed a browser capable of accessing only web pages previously authorized by a parent or supervisor of a user of the browser. In a supervisor mode of operation, a parent can browse through any accessible web site, and continually add approved web sites to a database of authorized web sites. Later, in a user mode of operation, the child is capable of accessing only those web sites that have been added to the authorized web site database. In the supervisor mode of operation, the browser also generates pixel signatures based on image data contained in web pages of the authorized web sites and generates checksum values based on text data contained in web pages of the authorized web sites. The browser later compares pixel signatures and checksum values from subsequently accessed web pages to the original pixel signatures and checksum values to determine if any of the data in the authorized web pages has been changed.

Abstract: A mechanism for manually and automatically adjusting the front support drum of an endless conveyor within the feederhouse of an agricultural combine. The front drum is rotatably affixed to the remote end of a pivot arm that is pivotably affixed to the side sheet of the feederhouse. The relative position of the drum to the floor of the feederhouse is manually adjustable by manipulation of a cam that moves the pivot arm toward and away from the floor to preset positions. In combination with the adjustment mechanism, is a pivot mounting for the pivot arm that allows the drum to move upwardly and rearwardly when a bulk or lump of crop material enters the opening between the drum and the floor, thereby preventing damage to the components of the feederhouse.

Abstract: A feederhouse on an agricultural combine include a pivoting faceplate between the header and feederhouse. The pivoting faceplate position indicia to assist an operator in properly positioning the faceplate. A front drum adjustment mechanism, which use a cam with cam position indicia to properly position the front drum. A stone roll mount plate permitting the proper adjustment of the stone roll relative to the feederhouse floor. A stone roll position indicia and a pointer to help position the stone roll.

Abstract: A browser capable of accessing only web pages previously authorized by a parent or supervisor of a user of the browser. In a supervisor mode of operation, a parent can browse through any accessible web site and continually add approved web sites to a database of authorized web sites. Later, in a user mode of operation, the child is capable of accessing only those web sites that have been added to the authorized web site database. In the supervisor mode of operation, the browser also generates pixel signatures based on image data contained in web pages of the authorized web sites and generates checksum values based on text data contained in web pages of the authorized web sites. The browser later compares pixel signatures and checksum values from subsequently accessed web pages to the original pixel signatures and checksum values to determine if any of the data in the authorized web pages has been changed.

Abstract: The invention discloses improvements to a feederhouse on an agricultural combine. These improvements include a pivoting faceplate between the header and feederhouse. The pivoting faceplate has faceplate position indicia to assist an operator in properly positioning the faceplate. The invention also includes a front drum adjustment mechanism, which use a cam with cam position indicia to properly position the front drum. There is also a stone roll mount plate permitting the proper adjustment of the stone roll relative to the feederhouse floor. There are also stone roll position indicia and a pointer to help position the stone roll.

Abstract: Telescoping rigid frame/scissor conveyors with suspension structures to accommodate less than totally flat surfaces, and for easy and ergonomic repositioning. Such conveyors are formed of a plurality of telescoping frame segments which may be positioned at any number of desired nested/unnested configurations. The frame segments bear a lazy tong or scissors conveyor structure which assures uniform roller spacing, and rollers positioned at one height along the conveyor rather than at different heights for each frame segment. The conveyors are adapted to bear greater weight than conventional lazy tongs conveyors, but contain suspension systems in order to conform to irregularities in factory and warehouse floors and slabs and for easy movement.

Abstract: Power modules for expandable conveyors. The power modules contain motor driven rollers whose operation may be speed, direction and otherwise controlled as desired. The module connects to the end of an expandable conveyor, such as a conventional scissors conveyor, to allow repositioning, expansion and contraction of the conveyor with minimum risk of overexertion, strain and injury. Rollers may be positioned along the top surface of the power module as an extension of the conveyor for conveying items to ultimate destination. Gripping surfaces may be provided which act in combination with swivel mounted wheels to allow efficient and effective steering of the power module and the conveyor. The gripping surfaces may be located conveniently in the vicinity of a control panel for controlling actuation of the motor and the drive wheels.

Abstract: Expandable powered conveyors featuring a number of roller power motors located externally of the rollers. The conveyors include a pair of lazy tong trusses which may be supplemented, as desired, by telescoping rigid frames, leg structures or other structures. The motors are mounted between the trusses so that their drive pulleys are located substantially coaxial to the middle connection points of the scissor bars in the trusses and thus maintain a substantially constant distance from rollers connected to those scissor bars. Drive belts connect the motor drive pulleys to power such rollers. The conveyors also include a number of transfer pulleys which are also mounted substantially coaxial to corresponding middle connection points of the trusses. A single motor may thus power one or more rollers directly, and other rollers indirectly via motor drive belts and transfer drive belts.

Abstract: Telescoping rigid frame/scissor conveyors. Such conveyors are formed of a plurality of telescoping frame segments which may be positioned at any number of desired nested/unnested configurations. The frame segments bear a lazy tong or scissors conveyor structure which assures uniform roller spacing, and rollers positioned at one height along the conveyor rather than at different heights for each frame segment. Counterintuitively, the increased structural complexity is more than outweighed by the benefits resulting from the uniformly positioned rollers of a uniform height, which are thus adapted to convey articles in a reliable and jam-free fashion unlike previous expandable rigid frame conveyors. Conveyors according to the present invention may contain automatic locks to prevent overextension, powered rollers and motive devices for automatic and reliable extension and retraction.

Abstract: A fractional distillation column and method for its use are provided which employ n sets of trays, where n is an integer and n.gtoreq.2. An equivalent number n of separate liquid streams are passed generally downwardly through the column so that each liquid stream flows onto and between individual trays of its corresponding set of trays.

Abstract: Bale shape monitoring apparatus for use in combination with a round baler having an expandable bale forming chamber. The apparatus alternately illuminates first and second indicator lights in response to predetermined expansion of the bale forming chamber. The apparatus includes first and second electrical switches arranged in quadrature and connected to the first and second indicator lights by a microcomputer, and a plurality of cam lobes formed on the outer periphery of a ring for activating the switches. A method for monitoring bale shape in a round baler utilizes the first and second indicator lights and the first and second electrical switches. According to this method, the first indicator light is illuminated by opening the first and second switches and by closing the first and second switches. The second indicator light is illuminated by closing the first switch while the second switch remains open and by opening the first switch while the second switch remain closed.

Abstract: A power supply system comprises several power supplies, each of which has output terminals that are coupled in parallel to supply respective DC output currents at the same time to a single load. Each power supply also has a branch of a control circuit, and each branch from every supply is coupled in parallel to thereby form a complete control circuit. In these branches, control currents flow that cause the respective output currents from the several power supplies to equalize. Each power supply also has a circuit for automatically turning the supply off independent of the other power supplies when a component in the supply fails; and under such conditions, a switch in the control circuit branch of the failing supply automatically opens which prevents control current from flowing therein and enables the remaining supplies to share the added load.