Abstract: A method includes selecting a state model control, as an operational state of the heater, from among a plurality of state model controls, measuring an electrical characteristic of the heater, where the electrical characteristic includes at least one of an electric current and a voltage, and controlling power to the heater based on the selected operational state and based on the measured electrical characteristic.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a control system for controlling a heater that includes at least one heating element. The control system includes a power converter operable to supply an adjustable voltage output to the heater, a sensor circuit that measures an electrical characteristic of the heating element of the heater, a reference temperature sensor that measures a reference temperature of a reference at the heater, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a primary temperature of a heater element based on the electrical characteristic and determines the voltage output to be applied to the heater based on at least one of the reference temperature and the primary temperature. The controller is configured to operate in at least one of an operation mode and a learn mode, and execute protection protocols when voltage is being supplied to the heater.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a heater includes a power converter, a sensor circuit, and a controller. The power converter supplies an adjustable power to the heater, and the sensor circuit is configured to measure an electrical characteristic of the heater. The controller is coupled to the power converter to control the power to the heater, and is configured to select a state model control, as an operation state of the heater, from among a plurality of defined state model controls. The controller controls the power supplied to the heater based on the operation state of the heater and on the electrical characteristics of the heater.

Abstract: A process controller is provided and includes at least one optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an optical source is configured to emit an electronic signal toward an object. The process controller further includes a control unit in communication with the at least one optical sensor, wherein the control unit controls a controlled device based on the electronic signal received by the at least one optical sensor. In another form, the optical sensor further includes an optical detector configured to receive the return electronic signal reflected by the object. A system for process control in an elevated radio frequency (RF) environment is also provided and includes a process controller having at least one optical sensor and a control unit in communication with the optical sensor. The optical sensor is disposed within the elevated RF environment and includes an optical detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a control system for controlling a heater that includes at least one heating element. The control system includes a power converter operable to supply an adjustable voltage output to the heater, a sensor circuit that measures an electrical characteristic of the heating element of the heater, a reference temperature sensor that measures a reference temperature of a reference at the heater, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a primary temperature of a heater element based on the electrical characteristic and determines the voltage output to be applied to the heater based on at least one of the reference temperature and the primary temperature. The controller is configured to operate in at least one of an operation mode and a learn mode, and execute protection protocols when voltage is being supplied to the heater.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a heater includes a power converter, a sensor circuit, and a controller. The power converter supplies an adjustable power to the heater, and the sensor circuit is configured to measure an electrical characteristic of the heater. The controller is coupled to the power converter to control the power to the heater, and is configured to select a state model control, as an operation state of the heater, from among a plurality of defined state model controls. The controller controls the power supplied to the heater based on the operation state of the heater and on the electrical characteristics of the heater.

Abstract: A process controller is provided and includes at least one optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an optical source is configured to emit an electronic signal toward an object. The process controller further includes a control unit in communication with the at least one optical sensor, wherein the control unit controls a controlled device based on the electronic signal received by the at least one optical sensor. In another form, the optical sensor further includes an optical detector configured to receive the return electronic signal reflected by the object. A system for process control in an elevated radio frequency (RF) environment is also provided and includes a process controller having at least one optical sensor and a control unit in communication with the optical sensor. The optical sensor is disposed within the elevated RF environment and includes an optical detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a process controller and more specifically to a process controller with integrated optical sensing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a process controller and more specifically to a process controller with integrated optical sensing.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate the unloading of bulk materials from containment vessels and transport vehicles, including non-flowing DDGs in such vehicles, is disclosed. The system includes a compressed air system that further includes a motor, an air compressor, and an air reservoir; a hydraulic fluid system that further includes a motor, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a pump; a wireless control system; a slew drive; a hydraulically-powered, articulating boom arm that also includes hydraulic cylinders that remain in a plane parallel to the boom arm throughout operation of the system; and a blaster assembly with first and second ends that includes an air reservoir proximate the first end, a mount assembly, a discharge tube assembly, and a discharge tip assembly that includes a shooting valve proximate the second end.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate the unloading of bulk materials from containment vessels and transport vehicles, including non-flowing DDGs in such vehicles, is disclosed. The system includes a compressed air system that further includes a motor, an air compressor, and an air reservoir; a hydraulic fluid system that further includes a motor, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a pump; a wireless control system; a slew drive; a hydraulically-powered, articulating boom arm that also includes hydraulic cylinders that remain in a plane parallel to the boom arm throughout operation of the system; and a blaster assembly with first and second ends that includes an air reservoir proximate the first end, a mount assembly, a discharge tube assembly, and a discharge tip assembly that includes a shooting valve proximate the second end.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotational atherectomy device having a flexible, elongated, rotatable drive shaft with an abrasive section comprising an enlarged diameter section of the drive shaft or, alternatively, a solid abrasive crown which may be attached to the drive shaft. The device further comprises a proximal and/or a distal counterweight attached to the drive shaft, spaced from the abrasive section wherein each counterweight has its center of mass offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to stimulate orbital motion by the abrasive section. When placed within an artery against stenotic tissue and rotated at sufficiently high speeds (e.g., in the range of about 20,000 rpm to about 200,000 rpm) the orbiting nature of the abrasive section causes such section to rotate as to open the stenotic lesion to a diameter substantially larger than the resting outer diameter of the abrasive section.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotational atherectomy device having a flexible, elongated, rotatable drive shaft with an abrasive section comprising an enlarged diameter section of the drive shaft or, alternatively, a solid abrasive crown which may be attached to the drive shaft. The device further comprises a proximal and/or a distal counterweight attached to the drive shaft, spaced from the abrasive section wherein each counterweight has its center of mass offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to stimulate orbital motion by the abrasive section. When placed within an artery against stenotic tissue and rotated at sufficiently high speeds (e.g., in the range of about 20,000 rpm to about 200,000 rpm) the orbiting nature of the abrasive section causes such section to rotate as to open the stenotic lesion to a diameter substantially larger than the resting outer diameter of the abrasive section.

Abstract: A folding cargo loading/unloading ramp, particularly adapted for motor trucks, includes first and second ramp sections and an intermediate support leg assembly which is pivotally connected to the first and second ramp sections at a common hinge point. The support leg assembly includes a latch for automatically latching the support leg assembly in a working position when it is rotated from a folded position to its working position, the latch being manually actuatable to unlock the support leg assembly to rotate back to its folded or non-working position. Both ramp sections and the support leg assembly include manipulating handles to facilitate movement of the ramp between a stored position and a working position.

Abstract: Sectional upward acting doors used in vehicle cargo bodies are provided with multiple generally planar door panels which are interconnected by spaced apart hinge assemblies. At least selected intermediate hinge assemblies are provided with hinge pin receiving bosses to receive elongated hinge pins extending between adjacent hinge assemblies and secured thereto. The hinge pins preferably comprise elongated cylindrical rods which form hinge pins for adjacent hinge assemblies and extend between adjacent hinge assemblies to form a reinforcing member to minimize lateral deflection of the door panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an airway condition of a patient includes a handle sized to be hand-grasped by an operator and having an actuator mechanism to be selectively actuated by said operator. A needle is fixedly connected to the handle. The needle has an axially extending bore and a distal tip for penetrating into the airway tissue. An implant is disposed within said bore at the distal tip. The implant is formed of biocompatible material and is sized to be embedded within a tissue of said airway. The implant is ejected from the distal tip upon actuation of the actuator. The actuator has an indicator for indicating a position of the actuator and a lock for preventing movement of the actuator opposite a deployment direction.

Abstract: A folding cargo loading/unloading ramp, particularly adapted for motor trucks, includes first and second ramp sections and an intermediate support leg assembly which is pivotally connected to the first and second ramp sections at a common hinge point. The support leg assembly includes a latch for automatically latching the support leg assembly in a working position when it is rotated from a folded position to its working position, the latch being manually actuatable to unlock the support leg assembly. Ground engaging rollers are mounted on the support legs and are braked against rotation when the ramp is in a working position. Both ramp sections and the support leg assembly include manipulating handles to facilitate movement of the ramp between a stored position and a working position.

Abstract: A folding cargo loading/unloading ramp, particularly adapted for motor trucks, includes first and second ramp sections and an intermediate support leg assembly which is pivotally connected to the first and second ramp sections at a common hinge point. The support leg assembly includes a latch for automatically latching the support leg assembly in a working position when it is rotated from a folded position to its working position, the latch being manually actuatable to unlock the support leg assembly to rotate back to its folded or non-working position. Both ramp sections and the support leg assembly include manipulating handles to facilitate movement of the ramp between a stored position and a working position.

Abstract: A folding cargo loading/unloading ramp, particularly adapted for motor trucks, includes first and second ramp sections and an intermediate support leg assembly which is pivotally connected to the first and second ramp sections at a common hinge point. The support leg assembly includes a latch for automatically latching the support leg assembly in a working position when it is rotated from a folded position to its working position, the latch being manually actuatable to unlock the support leg assembly. Ground engaging rollers are mounted on the support legs and are braked against rotation when the ramp is in a working position. Both ramp sections and the support leg assembly include manipulating handles to facilitate movement of the ramp between a stored position and a working position.