Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot having a number of payloads, a number of arms mounted to the payloads, and a number of sleds mounted to the arms, where the sleds comprise an upper portion coupled to a replaceable lower portion, the replaceable lower portion having a bottom surface shaped to accommodate an inspection surface; and an inspection sensor coupled to the upper portion of the one of the plurality of sleds such that the sensor is operationally couplable to the inspection surface.

Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot having a plurality of acoustic sensors coupleable to an inspection surface through a couplant chamber defining a delay line therebetween; the plurality of acoustic sensors configured to provide raw acoustic data; a controller, comprising: an acoustic data circuit structured to interpret the raw acoustic data; a thickness processing circuit structured to determine a primary mode value and a primary mode score value in response to the raw acoustic data; and wherein the thickness processing circuit is further structured to determine a thickness value in response to the primary mode value and the primary mode score value.

Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot having an input sensor comprising a laser profiler and a plurality of wheels structured to engage a curved portion of an inspection surface, wherein the laser profiler is configured to provide laser profiler data of the inspection surface; a controller, comprising: a profiler data circuit structured to interpret the laser profiler data; determine a feature of interest is present at a location of the inspection surface in response to the laser profiler data; and wherein the feature of interest comprises a shape description of the inspection surface at the location of the feature of interest.

Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot for performing an inspection on an inspection surface with an inspection robot, the apparatus comprising a position definition circuit structured to determine an inspection robot position on the inspection surface; a data positioning circuit structured to interpret inspection data, and to correlate the inspection data to the inspection robot position on the inspection surface; and wherein the data positioning circuit is further structured to determine position informed inspection data in response to the correlating of the inspection data with the inspection robot position.

Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot, comprising a plurality of wheels that engage an inspection surface; a plurality of sensors positioned to interrogate the inspection surface; and wherein the plurality of wheels each comprise a first magnetic hub coupled to a second magnetic hub, and wherein the plurality of wheels further define a channel between the magnetic hubs.

Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot having a number of payloads, a number of arms mounted to the payloads, and a number of sleds mounted to the arms. The system includes a number of sensors, each mounted to a corresponding sled, such that the sensor is operationally coupleable to an inspection surface in contact with a bottom surface of the corresponding sled. A couplant chamber is provided within at least two of the sleds, the couplant chamber between a transducer of a sensor and the inspection surface. The system includes a biasing member for each of the arms, where the biasing member provides a down force on the corresponding sled.

Abstract: A heated water reservoir for use as a heated water dispenser, in conjunction with a beverage dispenser or for other uses. The heated water reservoir (5) includes a baffle (20) which communicates with an outlet port (7) positioned along the reservoir and an upper portion of the reservoir. In the reservoir a quantity of water is retained in a heated condition with an upper portion of the reservoir containing generally heated water of a higher temperature. An upper edge (35) of the baffle is positioned relative to the upper portion of the heated water reservoir such that passage of water from the reservoir into a cavity (22) defined, at least in part, by the baffle facilitates flow of water over the upper edge and into the outlet port. In this manner, water having a higher temperature is dispensed from the reservoir.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for continuous availability of non-persistence messages in a distributed platform are provided. The method includes providing a first client application independently in operative communication with at least two servers via a first client abstraction layer, generating a critical message by the first client application, duplicating the critical message at the first client abstraction layer for each of the servers, and transmitting the duplicate critical messages independently to each of the servers. The method further includes providing a second client application independently in operative communication with each of the servers via a second client abstraction layer, receiving one or more of the duplicate critical messages at the second client abstraction layer, selecting a critical message from the one or more duplicate critical messages, and delivering the selected critical message to the second client application.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for continuous availability of non-persistence messages in a distributed platform are provided. The method includes providing a first client application independently in operative communication with at least two servers via a first client abstraction layer, generating a critical message by the first client application, duplicating the critical message at the first client abstraction layer for each of the servers, and transmitting the duplicate critical messages independently to each of the servers. The method further includes providing a second client application independently in operative communication with each of the servers via a second client abstraction layer, receiving one or more of the duplicate critical messages at the second client abstraction layer, selecting a critical message from the one or more duplicate critical messages, and delivering the selected critical message to the second client application.

Abstract: A beverage system including a communication means (300) for communicating between a beverage dispensing module (32) and a base station (304). Each beverage-dispersing module (32) includes a controller (76), which is centralized for use with multiple modules (32) or dedicated to an individual module (32). The controller (76) collects information about the module (32) or modules. The controller (76) includes link (302), which connect the controller (76) to the base station (304). The base station (304) includes a means for displaying display (305) and can provide visual auditor or other information about numerous conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, method and apparatus for controlling the flavor of a beverage produced from a concentrate, based on the conductivity of the beverage being produced. The apparatus includes a conductivity sensor which provides a controller with real time conductivity data from the beverage being served. The controller is capable of comparing the real time conductivity data to a preprogrammed range of conductivity readings and adjusting a variable speed pump to keep the real time conductivity data within the preprogrammed range.

Abstract: A beverage apparatus is provided for heating a liquid and is operable either by foreign or domestic voltages. The apparatus may have a heating element that couples directly to the voltage source, regardless of whether the voltage source is foreign or domestic. The apparatus also may have a power supply that couples directly to the voltage source, regardless of whether the voltage source is foreign or domestic. The power supply outputs a DC voltage that may be coupled to various other components of the apparatus either directly or after subsequent processing.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, comprising a trench extending into the device from a surface. The trench has sidewalls extending along the length of the trench, a depth and a width defined at said surface between said sidewalls. The trench is at least partly filled with a material. At least one of the sidewalls is provided with at least one lateral recess, the or each recess providing a discrete localised increase in said trench width.

Abstract: A beverage apparatus (30) having a plurality of dispensing modules (32) and a housing (34) that defines a chamber (36) containing water or liquide suitable for use in brewing.

Abstract: A heated water reservoir for use as a heated water dispenser, in conjunction with a beverage dispenser or for other uses. The heated water reservoir (5) includes a baffle (20) which communicates with an outlet port (7) positioned along the reservoir and an upper portion of the reservoir. In the reservoir a quantity of water is retained in a heated condition with an upper portion of the reservoir containing generally heated water of a higher temperature. An upper edge (35) of the baffle is positioned relative to the upper portion of the heated water reservoir such that passage of water from the reservoir into a cavity (22) defined, at least in part, by the baffle facilitates flow of water over the upper edge and into the outlet port. In this manner, water having a higher temperature is dispensed from the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and system of cooling hardware, sensing hardware, and supporting code streams that enables a non-redundant liquid cooling system to be used seemlessly in conjunction with an air cooling backup solution. The result offers system speed and reliability benefits of liquid cooling except for the brief occasions when the primary cooling system has failed and air cooling takes over. Until the liquid cooling is repaired, system clocks are automatically slowed to be compatible with the circuit speeds possible at the higher temperatures associated with air cooling. When the liquid cooling is repaired, the system clocks are automatically returned to their normal fast state. Depending on the circuit technology used, a supplied voltage may be varied while being air cooled.

Abstract: A container positioner assembly for use in positioning a volume of material in a container relative to a dispensing apparatus. The container positioner assembly includes structures for engagement with the apparatus allowing relative movement of a container attached thereto. The container positioner assembly may include an assist system which facilitates biased movement of the container relative to the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is a retainer for use in a catalytic reactor that can retain and buttress an element subjected to forces applied substantially in one direction. The retainer defines a bearing surface for buttressing the element having a fluid flowing therethrough. The retainer is comprised of a plurality of members that if given the proper aspect ratio can condition the flow of a fluid through the reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing a plurality of beverages, the dispensing apparatus comprising; a plurality of beverage dispensing modules (32), each beverage module having a container (68) and a brewing assembly (30) for making a respective beverage and delivering the respective beverage to the container, and a housing (34) associated with the plurality of beverage dispensing modules and defining a chamber containing a liquid for supply to the beverage making assemblies to make respective beverages.