Abstract: A resonant sensor probe assembly includes a substrate formed from one or more dielectric materials and free-standing electrodes coupled with the substrate. The free-standing electrodes are configured to be placed into the fluid and to generate an electric field between the free-standing electrodes. A controller measures an impedance response of the sensor to the fluid between the electrodes to determine an aging effect of the sensor.

Abstract: A tubular for processing crops can include a body having an outer surface and protrusions extending outwardly from the outer surface. The protrusions can be arranged in bands that are spaced apart along the outer surface to define gaps therebetween that form grooves extending around a circumference of the body. Each band of protrusions can be positioned offset with respect to at least one adjacent band of protrusions such that the protrusions form a spiraling configuration around a longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A tubular for processing crops can include a body having an outer surface and protrusions extending outwardly from the outer surface. The protrusions can be arranged in bands that are spaced apart along the outer surface to define gaps therebetween that form grooves extending around a circumference of the body. Each band of protrusions can be positioned offset with respect to at least one adjacent band of protrusions such that the protrusions form a spiraling configuration around a longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A bladeless stripping device includes a body having a cutting zone across the body forming a living hinge to fold the body along a fold area. An aperture may be located through the body and may be associated with the fold area. The aperture may change dimension as the body is folded and unfolded. The fiber aperture may receive for example an optical fiber in an unfolded state and may close upon for example the optical fiber in a folded state such that, when the bladeless stripping device is translated along for example the optical fiber at least one coating of for example the optical fiber is caused to be stripped away, revealing for example a bare glass fiber suitable, for example, for connectorizing or splicing.

Abstract: Termination systems and devices disclosed herein use a handler that attaches to the optical fiber or cable and cooperates with other components for preparing the optical fiber and/or making the optical connection, thereby providing a simple, reliable, and easy termination for the optical fiber. For instance, the handler may cooperate with one or more of the following a strip tool, strip/clean tool, cleave tool for preparing the end of the optical fiber(s), and/or a connector-to-handler adapter for making the optical connection.

Abstract: A bladeless stripping device includes a body having a cutting zone across the body forming a living hinge to fold the body along a fold area. An aperture may be located through the body and may be associated with the fold area. The aperture may change dimension as the body is folded and unfolded. The fiber aperture may receive for example an optical fiber in an unfolded state and may close upon for example the optical fiber in a folded state such that, when the bladeless stripping device is translated along for example the optical fiber at least one coating of for example the optical fiber is caused to be stripped away, revealing for example a bare glass fiber suitable, for example, for connectorizing or splicing.

Abstract: A portable structure includes first and second support poles, each having one lower end for resting on a ground surface. First and second connectors attach at upper ends of the first and second support poles, respectively and two or more linking poles connect the first support pole with the second support pole via the first and second connectors. The linking poles form obtuse angles with the first and second support poles at the first and second connectors. The linking poles form an eye shape between the first and second support poles when joined with the connectors.

Abstract: A portable structure includes first and second support poles, each having one lower end for resting on a ground surface. First and second connectors attach at upper ends of the first and second support poles, respectively and two or more linking poles connect the first support pole with the second support pole via the first and second connectors. The linking poles form obtuse angles with the first and second support poles at the first and second connectors. The linking poles form an eye shape between the first and second support poles when joined with the connectors.

Abstract: A portable structure includes first and second support poles, each having one lower end for resting on a ground surface. First and second connectors attach at upper ends of the first and second support poles, respectively and two or more linking poles connect the first support pole with the second support pole via the first and second connectors. The linking poles form obtuse angles with the first and second support poles at the first and second connectors. The linking poles form an eye shape between the first and second support poles when joined with the connectors.

Abstract: Termination systems and devices disclosed herein use a handler that attaches to the optical fiber or cable and cooperates with other components for preparing the optical fiber and/or making the optical connection, thereby providing a simple, reliable, and easy termination for the optical fiber. For instance, the handler may cooperate with one or more of the following a strip tool, strip/clean tool, cleave tool for preparing the end of the optical fiber(s), and/or a connector-to-handler adapter for making the optical connection.

Abstract: A sorting system may include a sorting apparatus coupled to a programmable control system which is configured to actuate the sorting apparatus so that it assembles similar products for packaging in an arbitrary, user imposed order or selection bias. In preferred implementations, a user may activate a biasing protocol pursuant to which items bearing certain images appear with a disproportionate frequency on the top of a stack of items such that the selected images are the most common images viewable through a transparent product packaging. In certain implementations, empirical sales data is used to determine weighting factors used in the biasing protocol. In still other implementations, a more specific ordering protocol is imposed by a user such that some or all of the sequence of items in a stack or collection is arbitrarily imposed.

Abstract: A block splitting assembly and method which uses any of a variety of projections to supplement or replace the action of the splitting blade in splitting and dressing concrete or masonry block. A gripper assembly holds the block during splitting.

Abstract: A concrete block produced from a workpiece that includes at least a portion of a top surface that is roughened by a roughening assembly. The roughening assembly may include a shaft having a plurality of roughening members, the shaft being rotated in a direction opposed to the movement of the workpiece. A splitting mechanism is provided downstream of the roughening assembly to split the workpiece into one or more blocks. The blocks may be placed in a wall having a setback, with the roughened top surface of each block enhancing a natural appearance of the ledge created as a result of the setback.

Abstract: The invention is a block splitting machine which uses an assortment of protrusions to supplement or replace the action of the splitting blade in splitting and dressing masonry block.