Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle includes a vehicle body controlled by a processor. An anchor joined to a tether is disposed in the vehicle. The vehicle has control surfaces for maneuvering, a propulsion unit, and a turbine. The propulsion unit and turbine generate thrust to propel the vehicle. A power source provides power to the vehicle. The turbine is further joined to a generator. When the processor detects that the power source is below a threshold value, the propulsion unit is stopped, the anchor is deployed, and the control surfaces are operated to move the vehicle in a predetermined trajectory through a fluid stream of the environment restrained by the tether. The fluid stream causes rotation of the turbine and generator to recharge the power source.

Abstract: A milk pump that is connected to, but electrically isolated from dairy lines, pipes, and other electrically conductive components using insulators in the milk pump between a motor and a pump.

Abstract: A milk pump that is connected to, but electrically isolated from dairy lines, pipes, and other electrically conductive components using insulators in the milk pump between a motor and a pump.

Abstract: A milk pump that is connected to, but electrically isolated from dairy lines, pipes, and other electrically conductive components using insulators in the milk pump between a motor and a pump.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms. The invention also relates to a foot bath system for delivery, retention, and drainage of foot bath chemicals and waste material.

Abstract: A milk pump that is connected to, but electrically isolated from dairy lines, pipes, and other electrically conductive components using insulators in the milk pump between a motor and a pump.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for applying bovine foot and hoof treatment compositions having two or more specific and complimentary antimicrobial components in a hoof bath just prior to use to work more effectively. These antimicrobial components may include antimicrobial inorganic salts of certain heavy metals, cationic agents, peroxides, aldehydes, fatty acids, iodines or other suitable compounds effective in the killing of microorganisms. The invention also relates to a foot bath system for delivery, retention, and drainage of foot bath chemicals and waste material.

Abstract: A switch for use in dairies with reduced cost, improved reliability, and minimal hysteresis. The switch includes a paddle having a first end and a second end. The second end is contacted by another device or animal, and the first end is thereby moved relative to an inductive sensor.

Abstract: A rotary milking parlor milker detacher having a pivoting support arm and retracting chain arrangement that is synchronized with a rotating platform position to move the detacher between a storage position, a presentation position, and a milking position to protect the detacher from damage and provide a superior ergonomic design that reduces operator fatigue and turnover.

Abstract: A rotary milking parlor milker detacher having a pivoting support arm and retracting chain arrangement that is synchronized with a rotating platform position to move the detacher between a storage position, a presentation position, and a milking position to protect the detacher from damage and provide a superior ergonomic design that reduces operator fatigue and turnover.

Abstract: A rotary milking parlor milker detacher having a pivoting support arm and retracting chain arrangement that is synchronized with a rotating platform position to move the detacher between a storage position, a presentation position, and a milking position to protect the detacher from damage and provide a superior ergonomic design that reduces operator fatigue and turnover.

Abstract: An isolation mounting device or assembly is used to mount items or compons to a structure in an environment susceptible to vibrational energy, such as a vehicle. The isolation mounting device includes a damping portion, such as a piece of elastomeric damping material, bonded to the surface of the structure to isolate the mounting device and the component from vibrational energy transmitted through the structure. A support base, such as an aluminum block, is bonded to the damping portion to support the component. A fastener engaging portion is fixed to and extends from the support base to engage a fastener that secures the component to the support base. For example, a assembly can be crimped into an aperture formed in the support base so that an internally threaded snap nut post extends through the component and receives a bolt that secures the component to the support base. The component is then easily and removably mounted to the structure without enhancing the transmission of vibration.

Abstract: An adapter or converter for coupling an external device to a universal serial bus (USB) port. An adapter is disclosed for use in connecting a joystick to the USB port of a computer. The adapter includes a receptacle for coupling with a game port plug on the joystick. The receptacle is connected to a USB plug, which can be mated with the USB port on a hub or a computer. Within the joystick, a programmed microcontroller unit (MCU) responds to an indication of whether the joystick is connected to the adapter and if so, operates the joystick in a USB communication mode, providing the required digital data packets formatted in accordance with the USB specification. Otherwise, the joystick operates in a game port mode to communicate with a conventional game port. A broader aspect of the present invention is directed to a converter that enables an external device normally connected to a computer through a non-USB port to communicate with the computer via a USB port.

Abstract: An acoustically absorbing device is presented which can be mounted in the ructure of a vehicle. The acoustic absorbing device includes an acoustic barrier layer proximate the structure surface, an acoustic absorption material layer adjacent the acoustic barrier layer, and isolation mounts mounting the acoustic absorption material to the structure. The acoustic barrier layer includes either a barrier layer of free airspace or a barrier layer of an acoustic barrier material that is heat resistant and fluid resistant. The acoustic absorption layer is made of a material capable of dispersing incident normal pressure waves within the structure, such as a sintered aluminum absorption material. The mounts are typically spaced throughout the structure and typically include an isolation mounting device that provides isolation from vibrations in the structure.

Abstract: A vibrationally and acoustically insulated structure includes a structure using enclosing a source of internally generated noise and vibrations. The structure further includes a vibration and acoustic insulating device positioned over a portion of the internal surface of the housing and having a vibration damping portion and acoustic absorbing portion. The vibration damping portion, such as a constrained damping layer having a continuous damping layer and a segmented constraining layer of individual rigid segments, reduces vibrations transmitted through the structure housing. The acoustic absorbing portion includes an acoustic barrier layer adjacent the constrained damping layer, an acoustic absorption layer adjacent to the acoustic barrier layer and one or more mounts for mounting the acoustic absorption layer and acoustic barrier layer to the constrained damping layer. The acoustic absorption device reduces the reverberating acoustic waves within the structure housing.

Abstract: A vibrationally damped structure includes a structure that is susceptible vibrations and a constrained damping layer positioned over at least a portion of the vibrating structure. The constrained damping layer includes a continuous damping layer bonded to the surface of the structure for providing the first reduction of vibrational energy transmitted through the structure. The constrained damping layer further includes a segmented constraining layer bonded to a portion of the continuous damping layer for providing a second reduction of vibrational energy transmitted through the structure and the continuous damping layer. The continuous damping layer preferably includes a layer of elastomeric material bonded to the structure with an epoxy bonding compound or the like. The segmented constraining layer includes a plurality of rigid segments, such as aluminum plates, bonded to the continuous damping layer with a bonding compound.

Abstract: A method and computer system present a user with a target icon on a computer screen and instruct the user to place a cursor thereon and twice actuate a mouse switch. The method measures the positions of the cursor on the screen during, and the time between, the two actuations by the user, and uses these measurements to customize, for the given user, the dual actuation speed and cursor movement area used to determine a double-click input command.