Abstract: A lift-assisted rack mountable to a roof of a vehicle and pivotable between a transport configuration and a loading configuration. The lift-assisted rack comprises: a fixed base mounted to the roof of the vehicle, a set of pivoting links, an article support, a pivoting arm and a lift-assisting strut. The set of pivoting links are pivotally connected to the fixed base at a link proximal end thereof. The article support is pivotally connected to the set of pivoting links, at a link distal end thereof. The pivoting arm is pivotally connected to the fixed base at an arm proximal end and is pivotable of a predetermined angular. The lift-assisting strut is pivotally connected to one link of the set of pivoting links at a strut distal end and is pivotally connected to the arm distal end of the pivoting arm, at a strut proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A lift-assisted rack mountable to a roof of a vehicle and pivotable between a transport configuration and a loading configuration. The lift-assisted rack comprises: a fixed base mounted to the roof of the vehicle, a set of pivoting links, an article support, a pivoting arm and a lift-assisting strut. The set of pivoting links are pivotally connected to the fixed base at a link proximal end thereof. The article support is pivotally connected to the set of pivoting links, at a link distal end thereof. The pivoting arm is pivotally connected to the fixed base at an arm proximal end and is pivotable of a predetermined angular. The lift-assisting strut is pivotally connected to one link of the set of pivoting links at a strut distal end and is pivotally connected to the arm distal end of the pivoting arm, at a strut proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma apparatus for synthesizing metal particles is provided. The DBD plasma apparatus includes an electrolyte vessel for receiving an electrolyte solution comprising metal ions; an electrode spaced-apart from the electrolyte vessel; a dielectric barrier interposed between the electrolyte vessel and the electrode such that, when the electrolyte solution is present in the electrolyte vessel, the dielectric barrier and an upper surface of the electrolyte solution are spaced-apart from each other and define a discharge area therebetween; and gas inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the discharge area such that supplying gas in the discharge area while applying an electrical potential difference between the electrode and the electrolyte solution cause a plasma to be produced onto the electrolyte solution, the plasma interacting with the metal ions and synthesizing metal particles.

Abstract: An aero-excavation apparatus for collecting a fractured soil material using a vacuum hose, the apparatus comprising: a main frame; a motor mounted on the main frame; a traction and direction system in driving arrangement with the motor for driving and operating the main frame; and a blower in driving engagement with the motor; wherein the blower is in fluid communication with the vacuum hose for collecting the fractured soil material.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma apparatus for synthesizing metal particles is provided. The DBD plasma apparatus includes an electrolyte vessel for receiving an electrolyte solution comprising metal ions; an electrode spaced-apart from the electrolyte vessel; a dielectric barrier interposed between the electrolyte vessel and the electrode such that, when the electrolyte solution is present in the electrolyte vessel, the dielectric barrier and an upper surface of the electrolyte solution are spaced-apart from each other and define a discharge area therebetween; and gas inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the discharge area such that supplying gas in the discharge area while applying an electrical potential difference between the electrode and the electrolyte solution cause a plasma to be produced onto the electrolyte solution, the plasma interacting with the metal ions and synthesizing metal particles.

Abstract: The present document describes a method for analyzing the performance of a leg of a cable communication network which uses a network power supply as the power source therefor, the method using a switched-mode power supply device and comprising: electrically connecting an AC output of the switched-mode power supply device to an auxiliary power input of a cable network access device thereby providing an electrical connection to the leg of the cable communication network; switching the power source from the network power supply to the switched-mode power supply thereby providing an AC voltage to the leg of the cable communication network by the switched-mode power supply; performing a diagnosis of the performance of the leg of a cable communication network by controlling a characteristic of the AC voltage being provided to the leg of the cable communication network by the switched-mode power supply.

Abstract: The present document describes an aero-excavation apparatus for collecting a fractured soil material using a vacuum hose, the apparatus comprising: a main frame; a motor mounted on the main frame; a traction and direction system in driving arrangement with the motor for driving and operating the main frame; and a blower in driving engagement with the motor; wherein the blower is in fluid communication with the vacuum hose for collecting the fractured soil material.

Abstract: The present document describes a method for analyzing the performance of a leg of a cable communication network which uses a network power supply as the power source therefor, the method using a switched-mode power supply device and comprising: electrically connecting an AC output of the switched-mode power supply device to an auxiliary power input of a cable network access device thereby providing an electrical connection to the leg of the cable communication network; switching the power source from the network power supply to the switched-mode power supply thereby providing an AC voltage to the leg of the cable communication network by the switched-mode power supply; performing a diagnosis of the performance of the leg of a cable communication network by controlling a characteristic of the AC voltage being provided to the leg of the cable communication network by the switched-mode power supply.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provides for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provides for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller roller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provide for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller roller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provide for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.