Abstract: A product dispenser, preferably for frozen food product, having a storage hopper, a rotatable drum having paddles on a periphery thereof located at a bottom of the storage hopper, and a drive motor connected to the rotatable drum. Rotation of the drum causes the product to be delivered to a weighing/dispensing assembly having a load cell and one or more dump doors on which product to be dispensed is adapted to accumulate. A controller receives a signal from the load cell and determine a weight of the product accumulating on the one or more dump doors, and upon a product weight target preset value being reached, starts a pulsing algorithm to achieve the desired weight of the accumulated product prior to dispensing.

Abstract: A product dispenser, preferably for frozen food product, having a storage hopper, a rotatable drum having paddles on a periphery thereof located at a bottom of the storage hopper, and a drive motor connected to the rotatable drum. Rotation of the drum causes the product to be delivered to a weighing/dispensing assembly having a load cell and one or more dump doors on which product to be dispensed accumulates. A controller is configured to actuate the drive motor to rotate the rotatable drum in a first rotational direction at a start of a dispensing cycle, and to then actuate the drive motor to rotate the rotatable drum in a second rotational direction, opposite to the first rotational direction in a next dispensing cycle. Within a dispensing cycle, the controller can also monitor a drive motor current draw, and reverse the drive motor if a current limit is exceeded.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes: a semiconductor substrate; a mechanical resonator supported by the substrate, the mechanical resonator including an array of capacitors; and a plasmonic infrared (IR) absorber including an array of metal structures. The mechanical resonator is between the substrate and the IR absorber.

Abstract: A method for initiating a safety-critical function in an appliance. The method including receiving a first user input for the safety-critical function via a touchscreen and receiving a second user input confirming the safety-critical function via a first separate input element adjacent to the touchscreen. The operation of the touchscreen can be manipulated externally, directly or indirectly, via wireless communication while a safety-critical function is active. The first separate input element communicates via a wired connection to a control device that is not capable of being manipulated externally via wireless communication while a safety-critical function is active, wherein the control device controls initiation of the safety-critical function. In the method, both the first user input and the second user input are required to initiate the safety-critical function.

Abstract: A method for initiating a safety-critical function in an appliance. The method including receiving a first user input for the safety-critical function via a touchscreen and receiving a second user input confirming the safety-critical function via a first separate input element adjacent to the touchscreen. The operation of the touchscreen can be manipulated externally, directly or indirectly, via wireless communication while a safety-critical function is active. The first separate input element communicates via a wired connection to a control device that is not capable of being manipulated externally via wireless communication while a safety-critical function is active, wherein the control device controls initiation of the safety-critical function. In the method, both the first user input and the second user input are required to initiate the safety-critical function.

Abstract: A flexible shadow-generating wind-energy device intended to provide solar protection is provided, the device using the kinetic energy of the wind in order to be supported in the air and project a shadow. The device is formed by a panel or group of panels and one or more beams, which together define a bow edge, a stern edge and sides. The device has flaps that provide stability and are used to anchor same to the ground. The device operates as follows: the panel or panels together with the flaps and the beams surround a moving air mass; the aerodynamic forces generated are sufficiently strong to support the device in the air; the device is maintained anchored to the ground; with the device anchored to the ground, it can be maintained at a pre-determined height and project a shadow on a surface below.