Abstract: When implementing a PMU network, creation of synchrophasors is achieved by centralising the determining of phasors and corresponding time-stamps at a location away from the actual measurement locations. Alternatively, or in addition to time-stamping phasors, time-stamping of any received signals and/or measurements derived from those signals is enabled. These signals are received from appropriate sensors distributed along optical fibres such as may be incorporated in modern power cables. Likewise, control signals can be communicated along optical fibres such as may be incorporated in modern power cables, and a number of approaches to ensuring control signals are received by the intended control modules are provided. Either or both the PMU network and control system can be implemented in a power network by exploiting existing optical fibre infrastructure in this way, and control signals can be transmitted dependent on analysis performed on synchrophasors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing cardless financial transactions at transaction devices such as Automated Teller Machines. An example method comprises receiving a transaction request including at least one transaction parameter and receiving a substitute value representing an account for processing the transaction request. The substitute value is distinct from an account number associated with the account. The method further comprises sending the at least one transaction parameter and the substitute value to a payment network associated with the substitute value and completing the transaction request. A second method comprises receiving a transaction request with at least one transaction parameter and a substitute value. The second method further comprises determining account credentials associated with the substitute value using the account credentials.

Abstract: In a crop harvesting machine there is provided a pair of hydraulic float cylinders or springs for a header such as a rotary mower relative to a self-propelled vehicle, where a float spring force is controlled to provide a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. The spring force is varied in response to detection of ground speed to decrease the lifting force at higher ground speeds. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. In order to reduce static friction so that the system can react quickly, an arrangement is provided for causing relative reciprocating movement in an alternating wave pattern between the piston and cylinder.

Abstract: This invention allows ultra-low levels of virtually any biological analyte to be detected and quantified rapidly, simply and inexpensively with an electrochemical biosensor using a novel electrochemically detectable tag that replaces optical labels. The tag binds to an analyte directly, or indirectly using one or more ligands and particles, and consists of a quadruplex electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide rich in guanine, or a single-stranded electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide rich in guanine that self-assembles into a quadruplex electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide when exposed to cations that enable quadruplex self-assembly. Quadruplex electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide tags are exposed, adsorbed or hybridized at the surface of a biosensor working electrode. An electrochemical technique facilitates the quadruplex tags to produce 8-oxoguanine oxidation signals proportional to the analyte level in the samples.

Abstract: The invention enables the measurement of the voltage between phases (phase-to-phase voltages) of a multi-phase power cable, e.g. a three-phase power cable, such as may be used in subsea or subterranean environments for electrical power transfer. The invention does not require a power supply at the measurement location, and relies solely on optical fibres (typically present in such cables) to carry light to and from the sensors. Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) based sensors sample the electric field between conductors and convert to a strain on the fibre, as a result of which certain wavelengths of the reflected light are modulated by the instantaneous magnitude of the phase-to-phase voltages to be measured. A sensor module embodying the invention includes a spacer which holds the conductors in a predetermined geometry and locates the FBG sensors between pairs of conductors on which the phase-to-phase voltage measurements are to be performed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a signal amplification sandwich structure for amplifying detection signals from proteins, nucleic acids and microbes using a plurality of an electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide tag bound to a multifunctional particle. The invention further discloses a method and device that uses the signal amplification sandwich structure to detect and/or quantify low levels of one or more biological analytes using an off-the-shelf point-of-care electrochemical potentiostat, like a glucose meter for virtually any biological analyte. The invention further discloses a method and device that applies an artificial intelligence (AI) system to recommend actions for assessment and diagnosis of a disease, outbreak or condition with an artificial intelligence learning system to incorporate improvements, additions and modifications to the artificial intelligence systems and its constituents.

Abstract: The invention enables the complexity and cost of implementing a PMU network and/or a control system to be substantially reduced by eliminating the requirement for power supplies, GPS equipment, and telecommunication equipment at each measurement and/or control location. In the case of implementing a PMU network, creation of synchrophasors is achieved by centralising the determining of phasors and corresponding time-stamps at a location away from the actual measurement locations. Alternatively, or in addition to time-stamping phasors, the invention enables the time-stamping of any received signals and/or measurements derived from those signals. These signals are received from appropriate sensors distributed along optical fibres such as may be incorporated in modern power cables. Likewise, control signals can be communicated along optical fibres such as may be incorporated in modern power cables, and a number of approaches to ensuring control signals are received by the intended control modules are provided.

Abstract: The invention enables the measurement of the voltage between phases (phase-to-phase voltages) of a multi-phase power cable, e.g. a three-phase power cable, such as may be used in subsea or subterranean environments for electrical power transfer. The invention does not require a power supply at the measurement location, and relies solely on optical fibres (typically present in such cables) to carry light to and from the sensors. Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) based sensors sample the electric field between conductors and convert to a strain on the fibre, as a result of which certain wavelengths of the reflected light are modulated by the instantaneous magnitude of the phase-to-phase voltages to be measured. A sensor module embodying the invention includes a spacer which holds the conductors in a predetermined geometry and locates the FBG sensors between pairs of conductors on which the phase-to-phase voltage measurements are to be performed.

Abstract: In a crop harvesting machine there is provided a pair of hydraulic float cylinders or springs for a header such as a rotary mower relative to a self-propelled vehicle, where a float spring force is controlled to provide a predetermined lifting force is provided to the header. The spring force is varied in response to detection of ground speed to decrease the lifting force at higher ground speeds. A position sensor is used to generate an indication of movement and/or acceleration. The electronic control is arranged, in response to changes in the sensor signal, to temporarily change the control signal to vary the lifting force and thus change the dynamic response of the hydraulic float cylinder. In order to reduce static friction so that the system can react quickly, an arrangement is provided for causing relative reciprocating movement in an alternating wave pattern between the piston and cylinder.

Abstract: A swather with a crop cutting header includes a swath roller for rolling on the swath carried on a mounting assembly attached to the tractor frame and a lifting assembly for lifting the roller free from the swath where a control unit is arranged to lift the swath roller to the raised position thereof when the header is raised to the raised position thereof. The control unit also includes a GPS position sensing system so that the roller is lifted at positions determined by the GPS position sensing system. The mounting assembly comprises a mounting frame rigidly attached to the rear walking beam of the tractor so that the mounting frame is held at a set position relative to the tractor determined by a position of the beam so that the swath roller is not pivotally mounted relative to the tractor.

Abstract: This invention discloses a signal amplification sandwich structure for amplifying detection signals from proteins, nucleic acids and microbes using a plurality of an electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide tag bound to a multifunctional particle. The invention further discloses a method and device that uses the signal amplification sandwich structure to detect and/or quantify low levels of one or more biological analytes using an off-the-shelf point-of-care electrochemical potentiostat, like a glucose meter for virtually any biological analyte. The invention further discloses a method and device that applies an artificial intelligence (AI) system to recommend actions for assessment and diagnosis of a disease, outbreak or condition with an artificial intelligence learning system to incorporate improvements, additions and modifications to the artificial intelligence systems and its constituents.

Abstract: An apparatus for seamlessly activating an on-demand function related to a fluid-driven instrument connects to an output of control valve regulating system pressure during normal operation of the instrument. The apparatus includes a fluid-operated bistable circuit that is switchable from a standby mode to an actuating mode by a brief drop in system pressure. In the actuating mode the circuit acts on a switch or valve to activate the function. Turning off system pressure to a longer time returns the circuit to its standby mode. The circuit includes a two-port biased actuator responsive to pressure imbalance between its ports, which are separately pressurizable through, respectively, an actuator-controlled valve and a flow control module.

Abstract: This invention allows ultra-low levels of virtually any biological analyte to be detected and quantified rapidly, simply and inexpensively with an electrochemical biosensor using a novel electrochemically detectable tag that replaces optical labels. The tag binds to an analyte directly, or indirectly using one or more ligands and particles, and consists of a quadruplex electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide rich in guanine, or a single-stranded electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide rich in guanine that self-assembles into a quadruplex electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide when exposed to cations that enable quadruplex self-assembly. Quadruplex electrochemically detectable oligonucleotide tags are exposed, adsorbed or hybridized at the surface of a biosensor working electrode. An electrochemical technique facilitates the quadruplex tags to produce 8-oxoguanine oxidation signals proportional to the analyte level in the samples.

Abstract: An apparatus for seamlessly activating an on-demand function related to a fluid-driven instrument connects to an output of control valve regulating system pressure during normal operation of the instrument. The apparatus includes a fluid-operated bistable circuit that is switchable from a standby mode to an actuating mode by a brief drop in system pressure. In the actuating mode the circuit acts on a switch or valve to activate the function. Turning off system pressure to a longer time returns the circuit to its standby mode. The circuit includes a two-port biased actuator responsive to pressure imbalance between its ports, which are separately pressurizable through, respectively, an actuator-controlled valve and a flow control module.

Abstract: A circuit board mounting arrangement is provided including a circuit board and a press fit mounting bushing including a cylindrical inner piece and an outer piece secured to the inner piece. The outer piece has a plurality of radially projecting, deformable elements and the circuit board has a cylindrical opening having a diameter less than an outer diameter of the radially projecting deformable elements. The deformable elements deform when the mounting bushing is pushed into the cylindrical opening of the circuit board so as to hold the mounting bushing to the circuit board. The circuit board and press fit bushing are then overmolded.

Abstract: This invention allows ultra-low levels of virtually any biological analyte to be detected and quantified rapidly, simply and inexpensively with an electrochemical biosensor using a novel electrochemical signal amplification technique. The invention amplifies detection signals from low level analytes using an innovative sandwich ELISA structure that replaces optical labels with a massive amount of electrochemically detectable guanine rich oligonucleotide tags. Selective binding is achieved with matched pairs of either commercial or custom analyte binding materials such as monoclonal antibodies or single strand DNA. The guanine tags are eluted from the sandwich structures and hybridize with complementary cytosine rich oligonucleotide recognition probes attached to the surface of a biosensor working electrode. An electrochemical technique generates a signal in proportion to the guanine level on the working electrode which is also proportional to the analyte level in the sample.

Abstract: A pull-type crop engaging machine such as a rotary mower comprises a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached behind the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes a transport ground wheel which acts to raise the frame to pass underneath the crop engaging system to support the machine on the wheel, on a second wheel behind the frame and on the hitch. The movement of the hitch and the wheel is connected and started at a position of the hitch so that the machine remains balanced. A shield behind the frame includes a portion which moves with the transport wheel.

Abstract: A pull-type crop engaging machine such as a rotary mower comprises a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached behind the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes a transport ground wheel which acts to raise the frame to pass underneath the crop engaging system to support the machine on the wheel, on a second wheel behind the frame and on the hitch. The movement of the hitch and the wheel is connected and started at a position of the hitch so that the machine remains balanced. A shield behind the frame includes a portion which moves with the transport wheel.

Abstract: A pull-type rotary mower comprises a frame with a transverse main beam mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a central hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached to the main beam the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes front and rear transport ground wheel which act to support the machine on the wheels. A shield assembly, which in the field position extends rearwardly behind the frame to engage the crop emerging from a conditioner within a center discharge opening, includes at least a portion which is moved to a retracted position at the frame to allow the rear transport wheel to move to the transport position.

Abstract: A pull-type crop engaging machine such as a rotary mower comprises a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached behind the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes a transport ground wheel which acts to raise the frame to pass underneath the crop engaging system to support the machine on the wheel, on a second wheel behind the frame and on the hitch. The movement of the hitch and the wheel is connected and started at a position of the hitch so that the machine remains balanced. A shield behind the frame includes a portion which moves with the transport wheel.