Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system according to one embodiment includes communication circuitry for enabling wireless communication with an RF reader; energy harvesting circuitry for generating an electric current from RF energy; a sensor loop coupled to the energy harvesting circuitry; and a status register coupled to the sensor loop for indicating a broken or unbroken status of the sensor loop. A method according to one embodiment includes generating an electric current in a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device, the current energizing a sensor loop; detecting a status of whether the sensor loop is broken or unbroken; storing the status in at least one of a status register and a nonvolatile memory; receiving a query from an RFID reader for the status; and sending the status to the RFID reader.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method comprising: applying a UV-curable ink to a substrate; partially curing the ink by exposing the ink to UV radiation from an LED source; and exposing the partially cured ink to UV radiation from a flash lamp. The flash lamp is a xenon or krypton flash lamp. An apparatus for performing the method and an ink adapted for use in the method are also provided.

Abstract: A system for protecting an agricultural field from frost damage, comprising: one or more induced flow apparatuses, each comprising an induced flow fan that has a primary air flow inlet, a primary air flow outlet, a secondary flow inlet and a secondary flow outlet wherein said primary air flow induces a larger volume of secondary air flow; a primary air flow impeller, powered by a motor, and a duct arrayed to conduct the primary flow from the primary flow impeller to the induced flow fan. The induced flow apparatuses are disposed to induce the flow of warmer, upper-level, air into a lower level, displacing lower, cooler, air in an agricultural field.

Abstract: A tube assembly for use in a heat exchanger includes a flat section with broad and flat opposing tube sides. Fin structures are bonded to the broad and flat tube sides in the flat section, and side sheets are bonded to the opposite ends of the fin structures. The flat section of the tube is located between cylindrical end sections adapted to be inserted into grommets. The construction of the tube assembly provides a stiff structure to survive insertion and removal of tube assemblies to and from a heat exchanger, for example, a radiator for heavy duty equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method comprising: applying a UV-curable ink to a substrate; partially curing the ink by exposing the ink to UV radiation from an LED source; and exposing the partially cured ink to UV radiation from a flash lamp. The flash lamp is a xenon or krypton flash lamp. An apparatus for performing the method and an ink adapted for use in the method are also provided.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system according to one embodiment includes communication circuitry for enabling wireless communication with an RF reader; energy harvesting circuitry for generating an electric current from RF energy; a sensor loop coupled to the energy harvesting circuitry; and a status register coupled to the sensor loop for indicating a broken or unbroken status of the sensor loop. A method according to one embodiment includes generating an electric current in a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device, the current energizing a sensor loop; detecting a status of whether the sensor loop is broken or unbroken; storing the status in at least one of a status register and a nonvolatile memory; receiving a query from an RFID reader for the status; and sending the status to the RFID reader.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a support structure, a reactant conditioning structure, a plurality of stacks of planar solid oxide fuel cells arranged on the support structure circumferentially around the reactant conditioning structure, and a flow path extending outwardly from the reactant conditioning structure to deliver reactants to the plurality of stacks.

Abstract: An integrated steam reformer/combustor assembly (42) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) that supplies a steam/fuel feed mix (34) to be reformed in the assembly and a combustor feed (40) to be combusted in the assembly (42). The assembly (42) includes a housing (44,58) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (46) located in the first passage to direct the feed mix therethrough, the first convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the feed mix; and a second convoluted fin (50) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough, the second convoluted fin coated with a catalyst that induces a desired reaction in the combustor feed.

Abstract: A combustor preheater (94) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) to preheat a combustor feed (40) by transferring heat from a post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) to the combustor feed (40). The combustor preheater (94) includes a housing (92) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (96) located in the first passage to direct the post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) therethrough and a second convoluted fin (98) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough.

Abstract: A recuperative heat exchanger (36) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20), the heat exchanger (36) transferring heat from a fluid flow (34) at one stage of a fuel processing operation to the fluid flow (32) at another stage of the fuel processing operation. The heat exchanger (36) includes a housing (56) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (70) located in the first passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough; and a second convoluted fin (72) located in the second passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A fuel processing system is provided wherein heat is transferred from a reformate flow (32) downstream from a water-gas shift (38) to both a) a combustor feed flow (40) that is supplied to a combustor (25); and b) a water flow (26) that is supplied to a reformer feed mix (34) for a steam reformer (28).

Abstract: An animal confinement pen flooring system, particularly adapted for swine farrowing operations, includes at least first and third rows of spaced-apart molded plastic foraminous flooring panels and an intermediate row of cast iron foraminous flooring panels, all of the panels being supported on spaced-apart elongated support rails in a stand off position above a subfloor. The plastic and cast iron panels each include opposed sets of hooked-shaped flanges for engagement with support rails, respectively, for supporting the panels thereon. The cast iron panels each include a boss and an opposed recess disposed on opposite sides thereof for interconnecting adjacent panels by cooperating hook portions formed on the boss and in the recess of the adjacent panel, respectively. The combination of the cast iron and molded plastic flooring panels provides enhanced comfort for swine in farrowing operations.

Abstract: An integrated fuel humidifier assembly (200) is provided and includes a water evaporator (6), a fuel heater (67), and a fuel/steam mixer (8) connected to both the water evaporator (6) to receive steam therefrom and the fuel heater (67) to receive heated fuel therefrom air inlet stream using heat from a fuel cell stack anode exhaust stream.

Abstract: An animal confinement pen flooring system, particularly adapted for swine farrowing operations, includes at least first and third rows of spaced-apart molded plastic foraminous flooring panels and an intermediate row of cast iron foraminous flooring panels, all of the panels being supported on spaced-apart elongated support rails in a stand off position above a subfloor. The plastic and cast iron panels each include opposed sets of hooked-shaped flanges for engagement with support rails, respectively, for supporting the panels thereon. The cast iron panels each include a boss and an opposed recess disposed on opposite sides thereof for interconnecting adjacent panels by cooperating hook portions formed on the boss and in the recess of the adjacent panel, respectively. The combination of the cast iron and molded plastic flooring panels provides enhanced comfort for swine in farrowing operations.

Abstract: Benchtop panels are formed with spaced apart longitudinal edge webs and intermediate webs and spaced apart transverse edge webs and intermediate webs forming a grid with parallel top and bottom surfaces. At least one pair of longitudinal and transverse intermediate webs are closely spaced to allow subdividing the panel into plural panels by severing portions of a panel at a point between the closely spaced webs. Longitudinal bottom surface flanges provide for ease of mounting panels on a frame or table at spaced apart frame members. A connector with spaced apart legs and a connecting tab may be inserted in openings formed in gussets of adjacent panels to secure panels to each other.

Abstract: Check valves including components having a straightforward and simple design allowing the components to be scaled down to an extremely small size without losing functionality or performance of the check valve.

Abstract: A check valve is disclosed which may be anchored in place through the use of a barbed casing.

Abstract: Check valves including components having a straightforward and simple design allowing the components to be scaled down to an extremely small size without losing functionality or performance of the check valve.

Abstract: A combustor preheater (94) is provided for use in a fuel processor (20) to preheat a combustor feed (40) by transferring heat from a post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) to the combustor feed (40). The combustor preheater (94) includes a housing (92) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin (96) located in the first passage to direct the post water-gas shift reformate flow (32) therethrough and a second convoluted fin (98) located in the second passage to direct the combustor feed therethrough.