Abstract: The invention generally relates to the measurement and predictions of conditions and contaminants; chemical, particulate and gaseous in and around water impoundments. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of an autonomous watercraft to analyze the chemical and physical properties of a body of water, such as a pond holding water used in a hydraulic fracturing operation.

Abstract: A conveyor toaster includes a toaster cabinet, an opening extending through the toaster cabinet and configured to receive a food product, and a conveyor assembly positioned in the toaster housing and associated with the feed opening. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt configured to be operated by a drive motor to transport the food product past a heating element. The conveyor toaster further includes a an input sensor arranged proximate the opening and configured to detect the food product and a processor operably coupled to the input sensor and the conveyor assembly. The processor is configured to change between an operating condition with a first belt speed and an idle condition with a second belt speed based upon a signal from the input sensor.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to the measurement and predictions of conditions and contaminants; chemical, particulate and gaseous in and around water impoundments. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of an autonomous watercraft to analyze the chemical and physical properties of a body of water, such as a pond holding water used in a hydraulic fracturing operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for controlling water flow in a water distribution system (e.g., irrigation system). In an irrigation system, an interrupt controller receives control signals from an irrigation controller and data from sensors disposed in the irrigation system, and modifies operations of components in the irrigation system based on the sensor data. The sensor data is analyzed to determine conditions in the irrigation system. Based on the analysis, the operation of the irrigation system is interrupted or modified to optimize the supply of water. The interruption or modification of the operation of the irrigation system allows detected abnormal conditions to be investigated and corrected.

Abstract: A ventilation management system for a structure includes one or more sensors, disposed in and/or outside the structure, capable determining a pressure differential between the interior and exterior air pressure. A controller coupled to the one or more sensors provides a control signal to one or more ventilation units which signal the ventilation units to bring outside air into the structure to insure that the pressure inside the structure is equal to, or greater than, the pressure outside of the structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for controlling water flow in a water distribution system (e.g., irrigation system). In an irrigation system, an interrupt controller may receive control signals from an irrigation controller and data from sensors disposed in the irrigation system, and modify operations of components in the irrigation system based on the sensor data. Based on the analysis, the operation of the irrigation system may be interrupted or modified to optimize the supply of water. The interruption of the irrigation system may be controlled by shutting off the water supply to the entire irrigation system.

Abstract: The rate of degradation of a cooked food product that is maintained at an elevated temperature can be reduced by the use of an encapsulated environment food holder. The encapsulated environment is a small, airtight or semi-airtight containment vessel that retains compositions that escape from a cooked food product over time. The volume of an encapsulated environment is greater than one hundred percent but less than one-thousand percent of the cooked food product volume. By holding single servings or portions of a cooked food product in a small, encapsulated environment palatability or taste of a cooked food product can be extended.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for controlling water flow in a water distribution system (e.g., irrigation system). In an irrigation system, an interrupt controller may receive control signals from an irrigation controller and data from sensors disposed in the irrigation system, and modify operations of components in the irrigation system based on the sensor data. The sensor data may be analyzed to determine conditions in the irrigation system. Based on the analysis, the operation of the irrigation system may be interrupted or modified to optimize the supply of water. The interruption or modification of the operation of the irrigation system may allow detected abnormal conditions to be investigated and corrected.

Abstract: An encapsulated environment is an air-circulation-restricted volume, preferably just large enough to hold a single serving of a cooked, protein containing food product. Restricting the air circulation reduces the evaporation of gases and liquids that are normally lost over time. The palatability of a cooked, protein-containing food product is thus maintained by holding the cooked product at a ready-to-eat temperature inside of an encapsulated environment. The encapsulated environment is a compartment configured to hold a single serving of a cooked, protein-containing food product, the compartment being able to be covered or at least partially closed by its use in combination with a sleeve configured to receive a tray into which the compartment is formed.

Abstract: A linear motor activator for a downhole safety valve including a permanent magnet carrier; a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the permanent magnet carrier; a coil carrier disposed in magnetic field proximity to the permanent magnet carrier; and a plurality of coils mounted to the coil carrier, one of the permanent magnet carrier and the coil carrier being movable relative to the other of the permanent magnet carrier and coil carrier, and being connected to a component of a downhole safety valve and method.

Abstract: The rate of degradation of a cooked food product that is maintained at an elevated temperature can be reduced by the use of an encapsulated environment food holder. The encapsulated environment is a small, airtight or semi-airtight containment vessel that retains compositions that escape from a cooked food product over time. The volume of an encapsulated environment is greater than one hundred percent but less than one-thousand percent of the cooked food product volume. By holding single servings or portions of a cooked food product in a small, encapsulated environment palatability or taste of a cooked food product can be extended.

Abstract: The rate of degradation of a cooked food product that is maintained at an elevated temperature can be reduced by the use of an encapsulated environment food holder. The encapsulated environment is a small, airtight or semi-airtight containment vessel that retains compositions that escape from a cooked food product over time. By holding single servings or portions of a cooked food product in a small, encapsulated environment palatability or taste of a cooked food product can be extended.

Abstract: An actuator and counterbalance system including a nonmobile carrier; a mobile carrier, mobile relative to the non mobile carrier; and a counterbalance system in operable communication with the mobile carrier and configured to counterbalance less than 100 percent of a return force of a tool actuated by the actuator and method.

Abstract: An actuator and counterbalance system including a nonmobile carrier; a mobile carrier, mobile relative to the non mobile carrier; and a counterbalance system in operable communication with the mobile carrier and configured to counterbalance less than 100 percent of a return force of a tool actuated by the actuator and method.

Abstract: A linear motor activator for a downhole safety valve including a permanent magnet carrier; a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the permanent magnet carrier; a coil carrier disposed in magnetic field proximity to the permanent magnet carrier; and a plurality of coils mounted to the coil carrier, one of the permanent magnet carrier and the coil carrier being movable relative to the other of the permanent magnet carrier and coil carrier, and being connected to a component of a downhole safety valve and method.

Abstract: A digital beam-type torque wrench has a main beam and a stationary beam having a distal end thereof fixedly attached at or near a distal end of the main beam. A sensing assembly is disposed generally at a proximal end of the main beam and includes a displacement sensing element carried by the proximal end of the stationary beam and a sensing element actuator disposed on said main beam. The sensing element actuator and sensing actuator cooperate to generate a variable output voltage, whose magnitude is proportional to the amount of flexure of the main beam upon application of torque upon a rotating element by the wrench. In one embodiment, the sensing assembly comprises a potentiometric rotary position sensor including an arcuate rack gear coupled to the main beam and engaged with a pinion gear coupled to the stationary beam, with rotation of the pinion gear in turn causing rotation of a potentiometer.

Abstract: A coronary bypass system incorporating a minimized extracorporeal blood circulation module is disclosed. In one embodiment, the extracorporeal blood circulation module comprises a rigid support plane for carrying the blood-handling components of the system, including an blood pump, an oxygenator, a filter, a venous blood reservoir, and a sampling manifold. The extracorporeal blood circulation module is pre-configured to interconnect all of the blood-handling modules, such that total interconnective tubing length is minimized and interfacing with an overall heart-lung bypass console can be accomplished with maximum efficiency. In one embodiment, the venous blood reservoir is of the soft-shell variety mounted over a raised platform defined in the front surface of the support plane. The raised platform further defines a indention on the front surface of the support plane.