Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for delivering a comestible coating substance and more particularly, though not necessarily, to an improved apparatus for delivering a powder coating to disc-like or disc-shaped or products such as rice cakes, potato crisps/chips, dairy product and crisp/chip-like products in a manufacturing and/or packaging procedure. The present invention seeks to provide an improved system and provides a delivery system that enables first and second major surfaces of the disc-like products to be coated simultaneously.

Abstract: A snowmobile throttle control system comprises a throttle block with a throttle thumb lever pivotally connected thereto, the throttle block clamped to a snowmobile handlebar next to a right hand grip. The hand grip and/or thumb lever having electric heaters. The configuration of the throttle block and thumb lever reducing issues associated with snow and or ice buildup between the two during operation of the throttle control system by vertically and horizontally spacing respective confronting portions of each, effecting shear forces on any such ice or snow between the two, and by minimizing heat transfer between the handlebar and throttle block by reducing the contact between clamping surfaces of the throttle block engaging the handlebar thereby minimizing melting and freezing of the snow and ice at the throttle control system. The thumb lever and throttle block providing integrated securement structure for wires associated with the electric heaters.

Abstract: An industrial robot system includes an end effector connectable to a robot arm, a drive assembly, and a controller. The end effector includes a distal housing, a spindle assembly rotatable about a rotational axis, a drill bit rotatable about the rotational axis, and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first light source, a second light source, and a photosensitive array. The first light source produces a first fan of light which is projected as a first line of light on the object surface. The second light source produces a second fan of light, which is projected as a second line of light on the object surface. The photosensitive array detects a first reflection line corresponding to the first line of light and a second reflection line corresponding to the second line of light.

Abstract: An industrial robot system includes an end effector connectable to a robot arm, a drive assembly, and a controller. The end effector includes a distal housing, a spindle assembly rotatable about a rotational axis, a drill bit rotatable about the rotational axis, and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first light source, a second light source, and a photosensitive array. The first light source produces a first fan of light which is projected as a first line of light on the object surface. The second light source produces a second fan of light, which is projected as a second line of light on the object surface. The photosensitive array detects a first reflection line corresponding to the first line of light and a second reflection line corresponding to the second line of light.

Abstract: An industrial robot system includes an end effector connectable to a robot arm, a drive assembly, and a controller. The end effector includes a distal housing, a spindle assembly rotatable about a rotational axis, a drill bit rotatable about the rotational axis, and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first light source, a second light source, and a photosensitive array. The first light source produces a first fan of light which is projected as a first line of light on the object surface. The second light source produces a second fan of light, which is projected as a second line of light on the object surface. The photosensitive array detects a first reflection line corresponding to the first line of light and a second reflection line corresponding to the second line of light.

Abstract: An industrial robot system includes an end effector connectable to a robot arm, a drive assembly, and a controller. The end effector includes a distal housing, a spindle assembly rotatable about a rotational axis, a drill bit rotatable about the rotational axis, and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first light source, a second light source, and a photosensitive array. The first light source produces a first fan of light which is projected as a first line of light on the object surface. The second light source produces a second fan of light, which is projected as a second line of light on the object surface. The photosensitive array detects a first reflection line corresponding to the first line of light and a second reflection line corresponding to the second line of light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system to precisely deliver dry chemicals, and to an apparatus and method to reliably and accurately deliver dry chemicals used during drilling operations. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a dry chemical delivery system that is modular and portable. Further, the apparatus may be configured to automatically meter and control multiple dry chemicals into a common line for use in drilling operations.

Abstract: The invention provides a product comprising: a membrane-spanning protein; a lipid membrane formed from amphiphilic molecules and membrane-spanning protein molecules; and a substrate, wherein the membrane protein is directly coupled to the substrate. The invention also provides a method for producing such a product which i) comprises treating a substrate with a hydrophilic coating agent; ii) providing at least one membrane-spanning protein; iii) bringing the protein into contact with the treated substrate under conditions for the coupling of the protein directly to the treated substrate; and iv) adding amphiphilic molecules to the protein-coupled substrate to form a lipid membrane. The product is useful for biosensors, protein arrays and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a product comprising: a membrane-spanning protein; a lipid membrane formed from amphiphilic molecules and membrane-spanning protein molecules; and a substrate: characterised in that the membrane protein is directly coupled to the substrate. The invention also provides a method for producing such a product which i) comprises treating a substrate with a hydrophilic coating agent; providing at least one membrane-spanning protein; iii) bringing the protein into contact with the treated substrate under conditions for the coupling of the protein directly to the treated substrate; iv) adding amphiphilic molecules to the protein-coupled substrate to form a lipid membrane. The product is useful for biosensors, protein arrays and the like.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes running a motor into the well and actuating the motor to turn a drill bit. The motor is used to pump well fluid from the well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion proteins (fusion polypeptides), particularly for use in expression and/or purification systems. The present inventors have found that the TolAIII domain has remarkable properties which are of particular use as a fusion protein partner to achieve high levels of expression in a host cell. In one aspect of the invention, a TolAIII domain or a functional homologue, fragment, or derivative thereof is located towards the N-terminus of the fusion polypeptide and a non-TolA polypeptide is located towards the C-terminus of the fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes running a motor into the well and actuating the motor to turn a drill bit. The motor is used to pump well fluid from the well.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and related method for acoustically improving an environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic sound screening system includes a portion for receiving acoustic energy and converting it into electrical signals, a portion for performing an analysis of the electrical signals and for generating data analysis signals, a portion responsive to the data analysis signals for producing signals representing sound, and an output portion for converting the sound signals into sound.

Abstract: The invention provides a product comprising: a membrane-spanning protein; a lipid membrane formed from amphiphilic molecules and membrane-spanning protein molecules; and a substrate: characterised in that the membrane protein is directly coupled to the substrate. The invention also provides a method for producing such a product which i) comprises treating a substrate with a hydrophilic coating agent; ii) providing at least one membrane-spanning protein; iii) bringing the protein into contact with the treated substrate under conditions for the coupling of the protein directly to the treated substrate; iv) adding amphiphilic molecules to the protein-coupled substrate to form a lipid membrane. The product is useful for biosensors, protein arrays and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and related method for acoustically improving an environment. In an embodiment of the invention, an electronic sound screening system comprises means for receiving acoustic energy and converting it into electrical signals, means for performing an analysis of said electrical signals and for generating data analysis signals, means responsive to the data analysis signals for producing signals representing sound, and output means for converting the sound signals into sound.

Abstract: A radio-frequency source irradiates a space within which an intruder is to be detected, this space being illuminated by fluorescent tubes. Successive peak levels in the returned signals are compared and a fall in the peak amplitude results in a comparator, arranged to compare the peak amplitude with that of a preceding peak, failing to yield a reset signal to a timer circuit. After a time interval just greater than the periodicity of the a.c. supply to the fluorescent tubes the time yields an alarm control signal. If the peak value recovers during this interval the timer is reset and no alarm control signal is generated. The alarm control signals are applied to an integrator yielding alarm signals in response to predetermined repetition of the alarm control signals. The alarm signal is delayed and used to reset the integrator, as well as initiating an alarm condition.