Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing a material having wrinkles. The material is positioned on a vacuum table having a group of segments. A smoothing device is moved across a surface of the material to form a substantially smooth section of the material. A vacuum is progressively applied to a portion of the group of segments in the vacuum table corresponding to the substantially smooth section of the material to pull the substantially smooth section of the material against the vacuum table.

Abstract: A method for managing customer interactions includes: receiving first proximity information relating to a proximity between an electronic communication device carried by a customer and a first proximity device located in a first location of a physical establishment associated with a customer contact center; creating an interaction object including data corresponding to the first proximity information; receiving, by the processor, second proximity information relating to a proximity between the electronic communication device and a second proximity device located in a second location; modifying the interaction object to include data corresponding to the second proximity information; storing the interaction object in a first data storage device, wherein data of contact center interactions between the customer and resources of the customer contact center is also stored; and retrieving the stored data of the interaction object and the data of contact center interactions for generating an output based on the retri

Abstract: A method for managing customer interactions includes: receiving first proximity information relating to a proximity between an electronic communication device carried by a customer and a first proximity device located in a first location of a physical establishment associated with a customer contact center; creating an interaction object including data corresponding to the first proximity information; receiving, by the processor, second proximity information relating to a proximity between the electronic communication device and a second proximity device located in a second location; modifying the interaction object to include data corresponding to the second proximity information; storing the interaction object in a first data storage device, wherein data of contact center interactions between the customer and resources of the customer contact center is also stored; and retrieving the stored data of the interaction object and the data of contact center interactions for generating an output based on the retri

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing a material having wrinkles. The material is positioned on a vacuum table having a group of segments. A smoothing device is moved across a surface of the material to form a substantially smooth section of the material. A vacuum is progressively applied to a portion of the group of segments in the vacuum table corresponding to the substantially smooth section of the material to pull the substantially smooth section of the material against the vacuum table.

Abstract: A method for managing customer interactions includes: receiving first proximity information relating to a proximity between an electronic communication device carried by a customer and a first proximity device located in a first location of a physical establishment associated with a customer contact center; creating an interaction object including data corresponding to the first proximity information; receiving, by the processor, second proximity information relating to a proximity between the electronic communication device and a second proximity device located in a second location; modifying the interaction object to include data corresponding to the second proximity information; storing the interaction object in a first data storage device, wherein data of contact center interactions between the customer and resources of the customer contact center is also stored; and retrieving the stored data of the interaction object and the data of contact center interactions for generating an output based on the retri

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing a material having wrinkles. The material is positioned on a vacuum table having a group of segments. A smoothing device is moved across a surface of the material to form a substantially smooth section of the material. A vacuum is progressively applied to a portion of the group of segments in the vacuum table corresponding to the substantially smooth section of the material to pull the substantially smooth section of the material against the vacuum table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a sealing member, an integral structure associated with the sealing member, and an engagement section extending from the sealing member. The sealing member is configured to be attached to a surface of an object. The sealing member is consolidated with the integral structure. The engagement section is deformable and configured to engage a receiving structure in the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing a material having wrinkles. The material is positioned on a vacuum table having a group of segments. A smoothing device is moved across a surface of the material to form a substantially smooth section of the material. A vacuum is progressively applied to a portion of the group of segments in the vacuum table corresponding to the substantially smooth section of the material to pull the substantially smooth section of the material against the vacuum table.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell stack and an EESD electrically coupled to a common high voltage bus line. The EESD has a higher voltage output than the fuel cell stack, and thus the stack is unable to fully charge the EESD, for example, at system shut-down. In order to allow the fuel cell stack to fully charge the EESD, the EESD is separated into a plurality of separate electrical storage banks having lower voltage potentials. A series of contactors are provided to electrically couple the storage banks in series during normal system operation, and separately charge the storage banks using the fuel cell stack so that they are fully charged. The series of contactors can also be configured so that the storage banks can be electrically coupled in series during normal operation of the system and be electrically coupled in parallel during charging at system shut-down.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell system that employs a fuel cell stack and an ultracapacitor. A diode is provided on a high voltage electrical bus between the fuel cell stack and the ultracapacitor so that high voltage from the ultracapacitor does not affect the operation of the fuel cell stack. During system start-up, a by-pass switch is closed to by-pass the ultracapacitor so that power from the ultracapacitor can be used to start various system loads, such as a cathode side air compressor that provides air to the fuel cell stack. A 12 volt-to-high voltage converter is employed to provide a low power, high voltage supply from a low voltage battery to the system loads at start-up when the by-pass switch is opened, but before a fuel cell stack switch is closed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a single enclosure for all of a fuel cell stack and other stack critical electronics and components, such as power distribution components, voltage monitoring and detecting components, electrical isolation components, etc. The single enclosure offers a number of advantages, such as reduced weight and reduced complexity for service and safety.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell system that employs a fuel cell stack and an ultracapacitor. A diode is provided on a high voltage electrical bus between the fuel cell stack and the ultracapacitor so that high voltage from the ultracapacitor does not affect the operation of the fuel cell stack. During system start-up, a by-pass switch is closed to by-pass the ultracapacitor so that power from the ultracapacitor can be used to start various system loads, such as a cathode side air compressor that provides air to the fuel cell stack. A 12 volt-to-high voltage converter is employed to provide a low power, high voltage supply from a low voltage battery to the system loads at start-up when the by-pass switch is opened, but before a fuel cell stack switch is closed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell stack and an EESD electrically coupled to a common high voltage bus line. The EESD has a higher voltage output than the fuel cell stack, and thus the stack is unable to fully charge the EESD, for example, at system shut-down. In order to allow the fuel cell stack to fully charge the EESD, the EESD is separated into a plurality of separate electrical storage banks having lower voltage potentials. A series of contactors are provided to electrically couple the storage banks in series during normal system operation, and separately charge the storage banks using the fuel cell stack so that they are fully charged. The series of contactors can also be configured so that the storage banks can be electrically coupled in series during normal operation of the system and be electrically coupled in parallel during charging at system shut-down.

Abstract: A continuous spray coating apparatus and process generally comprises a housing defining a closed coating chamber, the coating chamber having inlet and outlet openings. Automatic doors are provided to cover the inlet and outlet openings, and the opening and closing of the doors is selectively controlled such that only one of the doors will be open at any one time during the spray coating operation. The introduction of the coating composition into the chamber creates a predetermined atmosphere within the chamber which is substantially saturated with constituents of the coating material, and by means of the automatic doors and control thereof, introduction of air from the outside atmosphere into the chamber is substantially prevented to maintain a predetermined atmosphere within the chamber.

Abstract: A continuous spray coating apparatus and process generally comprises a housing defining a closed coating chamber, the coating chamber having inlet and outlet openings. Automatic doors are provided to cover the inlet and outlet openings, and the opening and closing of the doors is selectively controlled such that only one of the doors will be open at any one time during the spray coating operation. The introduction of the coating composition into the chamber creates a predetermined atmosphere within the chamber which is substantially saturated with constituents of the coating material, and by means of the automatic doors and control thereof, introduction of air from the outside atmosphere into the chamber is substantially prevented to maintain a predetermined atmosphere within the chamber.

Abstract: A railroad track lifting an aligning frame particularly for operation in switches has a rail engaging sub frame extending transversely of the main frame of a tamping machine. The sub frame has two members connected for relative adjustment transversely of the main frame in a telescoping fashion. A rail contacting element is provided on each member and abuts the inside of the rail of the track. A jack is provided to adjust and maintain the relative position of the members transversely of the main frame of the machine so as to adjust the track gauge spacing between the rail contacting elements. A pair of substantially vertically extending rail guides, one for each rail of the track are provided as is a device for moving the guides transversely of the main frame in the sub frame. Rail hooks are provided for each guide means which rail hooks externally engage each rail of the track.