Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber subunit. The optical fiber subunit includes a buffer tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface in which the interior surface defines a channel. The optical fiber subunit also includes a first lumen disposed within the channel. The first lumen includes a first membrane having a thickness of 0.15 mm or less and surrounds a first plurality of optical fibers. A second plurality of optical fibers disposed within the channel and outside the first lumen. Also disclosed are embodiments of an optical fiber cable having one or more lumens disposed within a central bore of a cable jacket and embodiments of a method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a bin conveyance system for moving selected storage bins to a storage bin processing location, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin processing location for receiving a selected storage bin from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a plurality of destination bins in communication with the bin conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin from a destination bin processing location that is proximate the programmable motion device to the plurality of destination bins.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to hot water heaters 1 that are for the use of using electricity to store heat energy for current or later use. In some embodiments, the heat energy is stored in Thermal Energy Storage 7 (TES) to store excess electrical energy for the later use of heating water. The present disclosure also relating to several species of the invention which relate to the water tank 1 being a Grid Interactive Water Heater (GIWH). Some of the embodiments disclose methods of storing heat energy at a lower temperature than the hot water in the tank, which avoids being limited to phase change materials that phase change withing the narrow range of the hot water temperature. Another embodiment makes hydrogen for the use of heating water. Another uses the exhaust heat from a heat engine to improve the overall efficiency over common CHP water heaters.

Abstract: A heat pump system for the use of cooling or heating comprising at least one TES (3), wherein the TES comprises thermal energy storage. The TES is placed downstream of a heat exchanger (2) and generally placed upstream of a pressure changing device (4) or regenerator (40), wherein the TES exchanges heat energy with a fluid (14) of the heat pump, and wherein the heat pump system exchanges heat energy between an enclosed space (6) and an ambient heat source outside the enclosed space. The TES is generally charged with thermal energy, which may be cool or heat energy, during favorable times of a daily temperature cycle. The TES then transfers the stored thermal energy to assist in cooling or heating the enclosed space.

Abstract: A battery-powered scope warmer includes a heated cavity to receive the distal end of a surgical viewing instrument such as an endoscope or laparoscope. The distal end of the surgical viewing instrument is inserted into the cavity in the housing through one or more flexible flaps in the upper portion of the housing. A heating pad forms a curved tray that receives the distal end of the instrument. The flaps enable the distal end of the surgical viewing instrument to be inserted into, or removed from, the cavity in the housing through one or more slits. A de-fogging sponge in the cavity may be moistened with a de-fogging fluid, and one or more absorbent pads may be disposed on the upper portion of the housing for removing excess fluid from the tip of the surgical viewing instrument. The entire warmer, including the batteries, may be disposable.

Abstract: A roof or wall comprising an insulating selective surface (1) for the use of transferring net heat energy into or out of an enclosure, such as a building. The insulating selective surface comprises at least one transparent cover (2) that comprises a chamber (9), and in the chamber is a moveable plate (4) comprising a plurality of surfaces (5, 6). At least one of the surfaces is a selective surface which can be moved to substantially face the sky, or moved to face away from the sky. The device insulates the enclosure from conductive losses, while using the sun to heat the enclosure, or the cold of deep space to cool the enclosure depending on how the plate is moved.

Abstract: A tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue. The tissue processing apparatus comprises a measurement probe that includes two measurement surfaces spaced apart from each other, wherein the measurement probe is configured to be inserted into a reagent receptacle so that the two measurement surfaces are at least partially immersed in reagent contained in the reagent receptacle. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to use the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the tissue processing apparatus. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle.

Abstract: An improved bumper system for transportation vehicles (10) comprising one or more extendable bumpers (12, 14-15). The extendable bumpers extend substantially outward from a vehicle to provide a greater distance with which to reduce the forces acting upon the occupants and/or cargo of a transportation vehicle in the event of a collision. In some embodiments, the extendable bumpers extend in response to a detected, possible, or likely collision.

Abstract: A battery-powered scope warmer includes a heated cavity to receive the distal end of a surgical viewing instrument such as an endoscope or laparoscope. The distal end of the surgical viewing instrument is inserted into the cavity in the housing through one or more flexible flaps in the upper portion of the housing. A heating pad forms a curved tray that receives the distal end of the instrument. The flaps enable the distal end of the surgical viewing instrument to be inserted into, or removed from, the cavity in the housing through one or more slits. A de-fogging sponge in the cavity may be moistened with a de-fogging fluid, and one or more absorbent pads may be disposed on the upper portion of the housing for removing excess fluid from the tip of the surgical viewing instrument. The entire warmer, including the batteries, may be disposable.

Abstract: A tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue. The tissue processing apparatus comprises a measurement probe that includes two measurement surfaces spaced apart from each other, wherein the measurement probe is configured to be inserted into a reagent receptacle so that the two measurement surfaces are at least partially immersed in reagent contained in the reagent receptacle. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to use the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the tissue processing apparatus. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for the use of concentrating radiant energy onto a receiver (2). The device comprises a first concentrator (5) that is filled with a transmissible material for the use of increasing the acceptance angle of the concentrator and concentrating the radiant energy onto a bifacial receiver (2). Embodiments also comprise a second concentrator (4) that directs the concentrated radiant energy to both sides of the bifacial receiver, whereby the second concentrator enables the device to use a substantially smaller receiver. In some embodiments, the receivers comprise photovoltaic (PV) cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transfer device or system for the use of moving heat energy, which is generally cooling or heating. The device or system comprising at least one selective surface (1), wherein the selective surface comprises at least one radiant concentrator or lens (5) and at least one conductive material (4) comprising at least one receiver (2). The selective surface exchanges radiant energy with at least one emissive object (7), whereby net heat energy is transferred through radiant energy exchanged between the emissive object and the selective surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented system and method for grading of a loan using chained confidence scoring. The method may comprise the steps of: scanning documents within a credit file for the loan, extracting attributes from the scanned documents and from electronic documents in the credit file, calculating a plurality of calculated attributes based on the extracted attributes, calculating a loan risk rating based on the calculated attributes and the extracted attributes, calculating an aggregated confidence value associated with the calculated loan risk rating, and enabling a user to modify the loan risk rating, the aggregated confidence value, and a number of chained confidence values. The confidence values input by the user are used as training data to train a chained confidence model and the chained confidence model is used to calculate the aggregated confidence value in connection with the automated grading of a loan.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to hot water heaters 1 that are for the use of using electricity to store heat energy for current or later use. In some embodiments, the heat energy is stored in Thermal Energy Storage 7 (TES) to store excess electrical energy for the later use of heating water. The present disclosure also relating to several species of the invention which relate to the water tank 1 being a Grid Interactive Water Heater (GIWH). Some of the embodiments disclose methods of storing heat energy at a lower temperature than the hot water in the tank, which avoids being limited to phase change materials that phase change withing the narrow range of the hot water temperature. Another embodiment makes hydrogen for the use of heating water. Another uses the exhaust heat from a heat engine to improve the overall efficiency over common CHP water heaters.

Abstract: An improved shield is adapted for use on a light cable that attaches to a surgical viewing instrument such as a laparoscope. When the cable becomes detached, the shield closes off the light-emitting end of the cable, substantially preventing light from escaping, where the heat may start a fire or burn a patient. A hollow, tubular body is composed of a flexible, resilient, temperature-resistant material such as a high-temperature silicone having proximal and distal ends defining a length. The distal end includes only a plurality of slits extending radially outwardly from a center point. The slits define fine gaps that do not allow light from the cable to escape when detached. The tubular body may be integrally molded and light-translucent with a cylindrical or frustoconical shape. The shield may be perforated, but only in areas that do not allow light to escape when the light cable becomes detached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat pump system for the use of cooling or heating comprising at least one TES (3), wherein the TES comprises thermal energy storage. The TES is placed downstream of a heat exchanger (2) and generally placed upstream of a pressure changing device (4) or regenerator (40), wherein the TES exchanges heat energy with a fluid (14) of the heat pump, and wherein the heat pump system exchanges heat energy between an enclosed space (6) and some ambient heat source outside the enclosed space. The TES is generally charged with thermal energy, which may be cool or heat energy, during favorable times of a daily temperature cycle. The TES then transfers the stored thermal energy to assist in cooling or heating the enclosed space.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is for movably coupling first and second members, one being movable relative to the other. A plain bearing section includes an inner ring connectable with the first member and an outer convex bearing surface. An outer ring is disposed about the inner ring and has an inner concave bearing surface disposed against the inner ring bearing surface. The two bearing surfaces are formed such that one bearing surfaces slides against the other when the movable member displaces about a first axis and two bearing surfaces engage to prevent displacement between the two rings when the movable member displaces about a second axis. An elastomeric bearing section is disposed about the plain bearing section, is connected with the second member and formed such that at least a portion of the elastomeric bearing section flexes when the movable member angularly displaces about the second axis.