Abstract: A direct drive system for providing RF power to a component of a substrate processing system includes a direct drive circuit including a switch and configured to supply RF power to the component. A switch protection module is configured to monitor a load current and a load voltage in a processing chamber, calculate load resistance based on the load current and the load voltage, compare the load resistance to a first predetermined load resistance, and adjust at least one of an RF power limit and an RF current limit of the direct drive circuit based on the comparison.

Abstract: Information is provided to a service mesh by a Kubernetes (K8s) controller. The information enables the service mesh to determine an IP address of application pods to which a monitoring request is destined. The K8s controller detects which of the application pods are scheduled to be monitored by the monitoring service. The K8s controller creates dummy headless services that match the application pods scheduled to be monitored. The service mesh is programmed information from the dummy headless services to cause the service mesh to intercept the monitoring request and identify that the monitoring request is destined to the dummy headless service based on the addresses. In response the service mesh encrypts the monitoring request.

Abstract: A wireless communication device including a wireless communication system having a plurality of communication configurations. The device comprises a navigation system operable to generate navigation information including at least one of orientation information indicative of an orientation and position information indicative of a position. The device includes a processor operable to receive the navigation information and cause the wireless communication system to take a communication configuration previously determined for at least one of the orientation and the position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to processes for activating Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts. In particular, the application concerns a process for the activation of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst, the process comprising: (i) contacting the catalyst with a first gaseous composition comprising at least 80% N2 at a pressure in the range of 2 barg to 20 barg at a temperature of no more than 150° C.; (ii) contacting the catalyst with a second gaseous composition comprising at least 80% H2 to form a H2/N2 gaseous composition with a H2:N2 molar ratio in the range of 0.2:1 to 2:1, resulting in a pressure in the range of 10 barg to 30 barg; (iii) increasing the temperature to a range of 220° C. to 260° C.; (iv) maintaining the catalyst at the conditions of step (iii) for a hold period in the range of 2 hr to 96 hr.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing a charging connection for an electric vehicle, the arrangement comprising: an elongate groove formed in a surface of a pavement or sidewalk; and a conduit received within the elongate groove, the conduit having an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state the conduit defines an opening at the surface of the pavement or sidewalk, through which at least a portion of a vehicle charging cable may be inserted into the conduit, and in the closed state an exposed surface of the conduit at the surface of the pavement or sidewalk covers the vehicle charging cable.

Abstract: The invention is a smoking pipe snuffer and method of operation, the smoking pipe snuffer comprising a heat resistant flexible sheet cut in the shape of an inverted L to denote a foot portion connected to a leg portion, the foot portion is further configured to be removably placed over a smoking pipe's large bowl aperture to removably seal the large bowl aperture and protect a portion of the operator's thumb placed over the flexible sheet from any heat emission from a hollow bowl interior; and the leg portion is further configured to be removably secured between a stem of the smoking pipe and thenar portion of the operator's thumb.

Abstract: The invention is a smoking pipe snuffer and method of operation, the smoking pipe snuffer comprising a heat resistant flexible sheet cut in the shape of an inverted L to denote a foot portion connected to a leg portion, the foot portion is further configured to be removably placed over a smoking pipe's large bowl aperture to removably seal the large bowl aperture and protect a portion of the operator's thumb placed over the flexible sheet from any heat emission from a hollow bowl interior; and the leg portion is further configured to be removably secured between a stem of the smoking pipe and thenar portion of the operator's thumb.

Abstract: A system and method of positioning a set of vehicles (102) with respect to an object (104) and a set of targets (106). Embodiments can generate (302) an isovist using data obtained from at least one sensor associated with the object and use it to compute (304) an estimated position of each target with respect to the object. Embodiments can compute (306) a plurality of positions for each vehicle based on the estimated positions of the targets, with each position having an associated value representing a number of the targets at their estimated positions that are within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle at that position. Embodiments can select (308) a subset of the positions based on the associated values, and position (310) the set of vehicles based on the selected subset of the positions.

Abstract: A method and system for positioning a vehicle in relation to each moving target of an ordered set of moving targets. Each of the moving targets moves from an initial position at a constant velocity. Embodiments can compute an estimated time for the vehicle to be positioned within a predetermined proximity of one of the moving targets; compute an estimated location of the moving target at the estimated time, based on a current position of the moving target and the constant velocity of the moving target, and compute a required velocity for the vehicle to move from its current position to reach the estimated location by the estimated time. If the required velocity is less than or equal to a maximum velocity of the vehicle, outputting the estimated time and the estimated location for use in positioning the vehicle.

Abstract: A dosing apparatus suitable for dispensing a dose of liquid from a resilient squeezable container including a cap, suitable for attachment to the container, the cap comprising an expulsion channel for the expulsion of liquid; a dosage chamber attached to the cap, the dosage chamber comprising side walls; at least one inlet opening in the side walls proximal to the cap; a pressure chamber located underneath the dosage chamber; a valve provided at the end of the pressure chamber distal to the dosage chamber, the valve being movable from an open position, allowing liquid to flow through one or more discharge openings, and a closed position where the valve closes each discharge opening, the valve incorporating at least one aperture; and a plunger provided in the dosage chamber, and movable relative to the dosage chamber so as to advance upon squeezing of the container, up to a blocking position.

Abstract: A dosing apparatus suitable for dispensing a dose of liquid from a resilient squeezable container including a cap, suitable for attachment to the container, the cap comprising an expulsion channel for the expulsion of liquid; a dosage chamber attached to the cap, the dosage chamber comprising side walls; at least one inlet opening in the side walls proximal to the cap; a pressure chamber located underneath the dosage chamber; a valve provided at the end of the pressure chamber distal to the dosage chamber, the valve being movable from an open position, allowing liquid to flow through one or more discharge openings, and a closed position where the valve closes each discharge opening, the valve incorporating at least one aperture; and a plunger provided in the dosage chamber, and movable relative to the dosage chamber so as to advance upon squeezing of the container, up to a blocking position.

Abstract: A method and system for positioning a vehicle in relation to each moving target of an ordered set of moving targets. Each of the moving targets moves from an initial position at a constant velocity. Embodiments can compute (602) an estimated time for the vehicle to be positioned within a predetermined proximity of one of the moving targets; compute (604) an estimated location of the moving target at the estimated time, based on a current position of the moving target and the constant velocity of the moving target, and compute (606) a required velocity for the vehicle to move from its current position to reach the estimated location by the estimated time. If the required velocity is less than or equal to a maximum velocity of the vehicle, outputting (312) the estimated time and the estimated location for use in positioning the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of positioning a set of vehicles (102) with respect to an object (104) and a set of targets (106). Embodiments can generate (302) an isovist using data obtained from at least one sensor associated with the object and use it to compute (304) an estimated position of each target with respect to the object. Embodiments can compute (306) a plurality of positions for each vehicle based on the estimated positions of the targets, with each position having an associated value representing a number of the targets at their estimated positions that are within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle at that position. Embodiments can select (308) a subset of the positions based on the associated values, and position (310) the set of vehicles based on the selected subset of the positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining actions for entities (4, 6) such that a goal is accomplished constraints are satisfied. The method comprises: determining an initial plan comprising actions that, if performed by the entities (4, 6), the goal would be accomplished; determining that a constraint would not be satisfied if the initial plan was implemented; and iteratively performing steps (i) to (v) until a final plan that accomplishes the goal and satisfies the is determined. Step (i) comprises identifying a constraint that is not satisfied in part of the current plan. Step (ii) comprises determining a remedy that, if implemented, satisfies the identified constraint. Step (iii) comprises updating the goal specification to include the remedy. Step (iv) comprises, using the updated goal specification, determining a further plan that accomplishes the goal and the remedy. Step (v) comprises determining whether or not the further plan satisfies each constraint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining actions for entities (4, 6) such that a goal is accomplished constraints are satisfied. The method comprises: determining an initial plan comprising actions that, if performed by the entities (4, 6), the goal would be accomplished; determining that a constraint would not be satisfied if the initial plan was implemented; and iteratively performing steps (i) to (v) until a final plan that accomplishes the goal and satisfies the is determined. Step (i) comprises identifying a constraint that is not satisfied in part of the current plan. Step (ii) comprises determining a remedy that, if implemented, satisfies the identified constraint. Step (iii) comprises updating the goal specification to include the remedy. Step (iv) comprises, using the updated goal specification, determining a further plan that accomplishes the goal and the remedy. Step (v) comprises determining whether or not the further plan satisfies each constraint.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining actions to be performed by a plurality of assets such that a predetermined task is performed. Methods comprise receiving, by a task decomposition module (105), task information that specifies the predetermined task; using the task information, determining, by the task decomposition module (105), a plurality of sub-tasks, the sub-tasks being such that if each of those sub-tasks were performed, the predetermined task would be performed; using information relating to the plurality of assets and the determined sub-tasks, assigning, by an assignment module (115), each sub-task to an asset; for each asset to which a sub-task has been assigned, and for each sub-task assigned to that asset, determining, by a planner module (120), one or more actions, an action determined for an asset and sub-task being such that, if that action is performed by that asset, that sub-task is performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling lighting in a mining environment. One system includes at least one light emitting diode and a controller. The controller is configured to communicate with the at least one light emitting diode and change the light emitting diode from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the at least one light emitting diode provides area lighting, and, in the second operating mode, the at least one light emitting diode conveys information to personnel located in the mining environment. The controller changes the light emitting diode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on status information received from at least one device included in the mining environment.

Abstract: A glass or plastic wall structure with nested channel members is provided with electroluminescent strips running along the channel flanges to provide an internal illumination. In particular, it relates to illuminated transparent walls or internal partitions of a building or similar fixed construction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining a degree of phosphorylation of a substrate, for example a peptide substrate, using a fluorescence probe that acts alone or with another material and has a lifetime that varies when in proximity to a phosphate, the method comprising: causing the fluorescence probe to fluoresce; measuring a time response of the fluorescence, and analysing the fluorescence time response to identify a fluorescence component having a lifetime associated with phosphorylated substrate and a fluorescence component having a lifetime associated with un-phosphorylated substrate.

Abstract: A glass or plastic wall structure with nested channel members is provided with electroluminescent strips running along the channel flanges to provide an internal illumination. In particular, it relates to illuminated transparent walls or internal partitions of a building or similar fixed construction.