Abstract: An automated guided vehicle (AGV) including a frame, ground-contacting elements connected to the frame for supporting the AGV and a heat shield is used in an automated sow casting facility. AGVs are adapted to get hold of, to move and to release moulds used for producing sows. A method of operating the casting facility involving AGVs to move moulds between stations is also described.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing a welding torch is provided. The system includes a gripping module for holding and releasing a component of the welding torch, the gripping module is movable along an axis of the gripping module and rotatable about the axis; and a control system for providing a degree of freedom in a movement of the gripping module to control or reduce a force exerted between mating components of the welding torch.

Abstract: Systems for servicing welding torches are provided, which include a feeder assembly and a nozzle cleaning assembly. The feeder assembly may be configured to feed removable components (e.g., contact tips). For example, the feeder assembly comprises a hopper magazine configured to store contact tips for a welding torch so that one contact tip is on top of another contact tip in their horizontal directions and to release each of the contact tips in the horizontal direction. The nozzle cleaning assembly may comprise a brush for cleaning the inner wall of the contact tip and a universal joint for off-centered rotation of the brush head.

Abstract: A system of architecture, apparatus and calibration method is invented for high-power flexible-polarization payload for satellite communications. The system comprises onboard phase-tracked apparatus, flexible polarization mechanism, and in-orbit calibration method. The power combining and polarization performance of the phase-tracked payload is monitored on ground by measuring the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) and/or axial ratio (AR). The high performance over the life is achieved by optimization of the XPD or AR on ground and adjusting complex gain of the transponders. The high-power flexible-polarization in-orbit-calibration payload may be applied but not limited to UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku and Ka-band high power satellite systems.

Abstract: A storage container (100) has a base (102) defining at least one storage compartment (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212), a top (104) movable between closed and opened positions, latching and locking assemblies. The latching assembly (500) has a latching actuator (110) movable between first and second positions. The latching assembly (500) locks the top (104) to the base (102) when the top (104) is in the closed position and the latching actuator (110) is in the first position and releases the top (104) from the base (102) when the latching actuator (110) is in the second position. The locking assembly has a lock actuator (801) having actuated and released positions. The top (104) is movable when the lock actuator (801) is in the actuated position. The locking assembly locking the top (104) in the open, closed, or an intermediate position when the lock actuator (801) is in the released position.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing a welding torch is provided. The system includes a gripping module for holding and releasing a component of the welding torch, the gripping module is movable along an axis of the gripping module and rotatable about the axis; and a control system for providing a degree of freedom in a movement of the gripping module to control or reduce a force exerted between mating components of the welding torch.

Abstract: A system of architecture, apparatus and calibration method is invented for high-power flexible-polarization payload for satellite communications. The system comprises onboard phase-tracked apparatus, flexible polarization mechanism, and in-orbit calibration method. The power combining and polarization performance of the phase-tracked payload is monitored on ground by measuring the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) and/or axial ratio (AR). The high performance over the life is achieved by optimization of the XPD or AR on ground and adjusting complex gain of the transponders. The high-power flexible-polarization in-orbit-calibration payload may be applied but not limited to UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku and Ka-band high power satellite systems.

Abstract: A partition assembly (16) for an aircraft cabin, including a bulkhead (18) with first (28) and second (30) internal compartments having respective first (32) and second (34) open ends defined in a same side of the bulkhead (18), one of the compartments being located aft of the other, a sliding door (36) slidingly supported within the first compartment (28) and slidable out of the first compartment (28) through the first open end (32), and a curtain (42) slidingly engaged to a curtain rail (40), the curtain receivable in the second compartment (30) and slidable along the curtain rail (40) out of the second compartment (30) through the second open end (34). An aircraft curtain rail is also described where the curtain rail and curtain track each have a non-rectilinear profile when viewed in a first plane and when viewed in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. A method of manufacturing a curtain rail is also discussed.

Abstract: A calibration system of architecture, apparatus, algorithms and method for optimizing leakage performance of a multi-port amplifier (MPA) for satellite communications. The calibration system comprises simple onboard apparatus and generally on-ground algorithms implementation connected via telecommand and telemetry links. The isolation performance of the MPA is monitored by using a commandable frequency generator and a flexible narrowband receiver. The high performance is achieved by direct and efficient optimization of the aggregate leakage of the MPA. The calibration system may be applied but not limited to Ku and Ka-band high throughput satellite systems.

Abstract: Devices and assemblies for adjusting a position of a movable body (24) are disclosed. An exemplary device for adjusting a position of a body rotatable about a hinge axis comprises: a first portion (36a) configured to be secured to a structure (32a); and a second portion (38a) adjustably coupled to the first portion and configured to be rotatably coupled to the body. The second portion comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the body along the hinge axis relative to the second portion.

Abstract: There is provided building structures that are demountable from a first configuration to be reassemblable to the first configuration or another configuration. The building structures include systems and kits for the structure, post anchors, kits for floor structure, method for assembling floor structures, wall and ceiling support systems, electrical junction box supports, and kits for frame assembly.

Abstract: A divan includes a seating surface and a backrest. In a first configuration, the backrest is positioned adjacent to the seating surface to support a person's back while the person is seated on the seating surface. In the first configuration, the seating surface is disposed at a first predetermined height above a horizontal plane. In a second configuration, the backrest establishes an upper bunk above the seating surface. In the second configuration, the seating surface establishes a lower bunk beneath the upper bunk. In the second configuration, the seating surface is disposed at a second predetermined height that is lower than the first predetermined height.

Abstract: There is provided building structures that are demountable from a first configuration to be reassemblable to the first configuration or another configuration. The building structures include systems and kits for the structure, post anchors, kits for floor structure, method for assembling floor structures, wall and ceiling support systems, electrical junction box supports, and kits for frame assembly.

Abstract: A chimera protein comprising in the following order: a signal peptide, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 preproprotein (PCSK9) sequence consisting of amino acid residues at positions 35 to 696 of SEQ ID NO: 38, a transmembrane domain and a cytosolic domain, wherein said cytosolic (CT) domain comprises a sequence able to recycle the protein from the cellular membrane to endosomes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for binding and/or modulating enzymatic activity of human protein tyrosine phosphatases such as PTP1B. Additionally, the invention provides methods of identifying and using such nucleic acid ligands.

Abstract: A chimera protein comprising in the following order: a signal peptide, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 preproprotein (PCSK9) sequence consisting of amino acid residues at positions 35 to 696 of SEQ ID NO: 38, a transmembrane domain and a cytosolic domain, wherein said cytosolic (CT) domain comprises a sequence able to recycle the protein from the cellular membrane to endosomes.

Abstract: A chimera protein comprising in the following order: a signal peptide, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 preproprotein (PCSK9) sequence consisting of amino acid residues at positions 35 to 696 of SEQ ID NO: 38, a transmembrane domain and a cytosolic domain, wherein said cytosolic (CT) domain comprises a sequence able to recycle the protein from the cellular membrane to endosomes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for binding and/or modulating enzymatic activity of human protein tyrosine phosphatases such as PTP1B. Additionally, the invention provides methods of identifying and using such nucleic acid ligands.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice that have had their PTP-1B genes disrupted by targeted homologous recombination. The mice have no detectable PTP-1B protein, yet appear to be physiologically normal. However, in the fed state on a normal diet, the mice have half the level of circulating insulin as their wild-type littermates. In glucose and insulin tolerance tests, the mice show an increased insulin sensitivity. When fed a high fat, high carbohydrate diet, the mice show a resistance to weight gain as compared to their wild-type littermates. Methods of making the mice and cell lines derived from the mice are also provided. The present invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of PTP-1B as well as inhibitors identified by such methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice that have had their PTP-1B genes disrupted by targeted homologous recombination. The mice have no detectable PTP-1B protein, yet appear to be physiologically normal. However, in the fed state on a normal diet, the mice have half the level of circulating insulin as their wild-type littermates. In glucose and insulin tolerance tests, the mice show an increased insulin sensitivity. When fed a high fat, high carbohydrate diet, the mice show a resistance to weight gain as compared to their wild-type littermates. Methods making the mice and cell lines derived from the mice are also provided. The present invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of PTP-1B as well as inhibitors identified by such methods.