Abstract: A robot obstacle detection system including a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface and a sensor subsystem aimed at the surface for detecting the surface. The sensor subsystem includes an emitter which emits a signal having a field of emission and a photon detector having a field of view which intersects the field of emission at a region. The subsystem detects the presence of an object proximate the mobile robot and determines a value of a signal corresponding to the object. It compares the value to a predetermined value, moves the mobile robot in response to the comparison, and updates the predetermined value upon the occurrence of an event.

Abstract: A method for stretch breaking fibers to produce a staple yarn and operating a staple fiber spinning machine that enables the production of a plurality of products of lot size smaller than a large denier tow product. The process includes at least two break zones and a consolidation zone downstream from a second break zone to form a staple yarn. The filaments are broken in a second break zone downstream from the first break zone by increasing the speed of the fiber fed into the process.

Abstract: A ring for removing bottle caps from bottles and which is wearable on a finger is disclosed. The ring has a circumferential band defining an opening for receiving a finger. A lower portion of the band has an edge that engages the bottle cap. An upper portion of the band opposite the lower portion forms a finger engaging projection that extends axially beyond the cap engaging edge and distributes the forces along the finger resulting when the cap is pried from the bottle by curling the finger. The cap engaging edge is positioned on an axially projecting tab. The finger engaging projection has an outwardly facing surface useful for the display of indicia.

Abstract: A closed loop heat therapy blanket provided for warming a patient to prevent or treat hypothermia. The closed loop heat therapy blanket includes first and second sheets secured to each other such as to define a supply manifold, at least one supply duct, a return manifold and a return duct. The first sheet defines a supply inlet opening into the supply manifold and a return outlet opening from the return duct. Heated air is introduced into the supply manifold and travels through to the return outlet and through an outlet hose. As the heated air travels through the blanket, a portion is communicated through the second sheet and toward the patient. A heat source is provided for collecting and heating ambient air, and for collecting preheated air from the outlet hose. In one embodiment, a humidifier is provided for controlling the moisture in the air being directed toward the patient.

Abstract: A trigger system for operating a plasma arc torch is provided that comprises a selector that operates between at least a first operating position and a second operating position, wherein the first operating position operates the plasma arc torch in a first mode to deliver gas to the plasma arc torch, and the second operating position operates the plasma arc torch in a second mode to deliver the gas and electric power to the plasma arc torch. Further, the selector comprises a neutral position that selects a neutral mode in which delivery of gas and electric power to the plasma arc torch is inhibited. The selector is preferably disposed within a housing of the plasma arc torch and is slidably operable between the first operating position, the second operating position, and the neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Abstract: This invention concerns radiation durable organic compositions which are well-suited for use in 157 nm lithography by virtue of their high transparency and excellent radiation durability, and to a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: This invention concerns radiation durable organic compositions which are well-suited for use in 157 nm lithography by virtue of their high transparency and excellent radiation durability, and to a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: Turbine vane segments having outer and inner bands and a vane extending therebetween are welded one to the other by E-beam welding along their adjoining margins and from the outside of the bands. The adjoining margins on the hot gas path sides of the outer and inner bands are chamfered, TIG-welded and machined to provide a smooth, continuous gas path surface. The aft hook of each segment is cut back to provide inset faces in a radially projecting flange and a flange extending axially from the radial flange. A filler piece having a body shaped to correspond to the shape of the space between the inset faces of the radial flange is E-beam welded to the radial flange. Gaps between a tongue on the filler piece and the inset faces of the axially extending flange are provided with weld filler material and TIG-welded to complete the welding of the aft hook.

Abstract: A turbine stator vane includes outer and inner walls each having outer and inner chambers and a vane extending between the outer and inner walls. The vane includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth cavities for flowing a cooling medium. The cooling medium enters the outer chamber of the outer wall, flows through an impingement plate for impingement cooling of the outer band wall defining in part the hot gas path and through openings in the first, second and fourth cavities for flow radially inwardly, cooling the vane. The spent cooling medium flows into the inner wall and inner chamber for flow through an impingement plate radially outwardly to cool the inner wall. The spent cooling medium flows through the third cavity for egress from the turbine vane segment from the outer wall. The first, second or third cavities contain inserts having impingement openings for impingement cooling of the vane walls. The fifth cavity provides air cooling for the trailing edge.

Abstract: A light socket utilizing a photocell and three-way switch including a cylindrical housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. The upper end is couplable with a power source. The lower end has a light receiving socket disposed therein. The light receiving socket is adapted for receiving a light bulb therein. A frustoconical shield is secured to the cylindrical housing. The shield has a narrow open upper end and a wide open lower end. The narrow open upper end is secured to the lower end of the cylindrical housing. The wide open lower end is dimensioned to prevent the light bulb from directing light upwardly toward the cylindrical housing. A light activated switch is disposed within the cylindrical side wall of the cylindrical housing. The light activated switch is in communication with the light receiving socket whereby detection of ambient light will allow the light receiving socket to power the light bulb positioned therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improving redundancy and load sharing in control cards in the control plane of a communication node. An active control card which receives a request passes the request to the inactive control card for processing if and only if the inactive control card is synchronized with the active control card and the inactive control card is able to process the request. Redundancy and load sharing are further improved if the active control card separates the processing of managing the request and the determination of a response to the request onto separate processors on the control card. In one embodiment, the control cards are OSPF modules in a router. Redundancy is effected by more accurately synchronizing the link state database of each OSPF module, and by allowing the state of each neighbouring router to be determined only by the active OSPF module and not independently by any inactive OSPF module.

Abstract: A parking violation recording system, for recording parking violations committed by violating vehicles, using an official vehicle having cameras located along the passenger side and along the driver side near the front and rear of the official vehicle. The operator of the official vehicle positions said vehicle substantially alongside the violating vehicle, and views images from the cameras on a display unit within the official vehicle. Once satisfied with the content of the images, the recording system acquires the images at the operator's request, and creates a data record memorializing the violation. Numerous data records are stored in image memory for later retrieval.

Abstract: A parking violation recording system, for recording parking violations committed by violating vehicles, using an official vehicle having cameras located along the passenger side and along the driver side near the front and rear of the official vehicle. The operator of the official vehicle positions said vehicle substantially alongside the violating vehicle, and views images from the cameras on a display unit within the official vehicle. Once satisfied with the content of the images, the recording system acquires the images at the operator's request, and creates a data record memorializing the violation. Numerous data records are stored in image memory for later retrieval.

Abstract: A cooling system for providing rapid and uniform cooling of a variety of objects. The cooling system utilizes a fan that cooperates with a heat sink to provide an active heat sink. Additionally, the arrangement of the heat sink and the fan provide a relatively uniform and linear airflow over the heat sink to provide uniform cooling.

Abstract: A cooling system for providing rapid and uniform cooling of a variety of objects. The cooling system utilizes a fan that cooperates with a heat sink to provide an active heat sink. Additionally, the arrangement of the heat sink and the fan provide a relatively uniform and linear airflow over the heat sink to provide uniform cooling.