Abstract: A system for monitoring health of crop to validate crop insurance claim is disclosed. The system includes monitoring sensors to capture images of the farm at a predefined time interval. The system includes a processing subsystem to process captured images of the farm using image pre-processing techniques, a meta data extraction subsystem to extract meta data corresponding to each crop of the farm from each of the one or more captured images, a decentralized classifier subsystem to store extracted meta data on a blockchain based storage platform, a decentralized classifier subsystem includes an image recognition classifier subsystem to perform time stamping on the extracted meta data in the blockchain based storage platform corresponding to each of the one or more captured images and a validation subsystem is to monitor health of each crop, by accessing time stamped meta data from the blockchain based storage platform, to validate crop insurance claim.

Abstract: A crosshead assembly for forming extruded shapes from molten polymer. The assembly includes body sections, a mandrel, a choke ring, and a tip holder for admitting, turning, and accelerating molten polymer toward a novel rotatable die sub-assembly. The die sub-assembly includes a hub, axially-loaded duplex ball bearings, and a pulley for rotating the sub-assembly. The choke ring extends into the die sub-assembly, and a cylindrical seal element is disposed therebetween. A changeable extrusion tip is threaded onto the second cylindrical portion of the tip holder. A die in the sub-assembly is specific to the shape to be extruded. For forming a spiral ribbon and a skin layer on core material, the die opening is a circular central aperture and a radial slot. Multiple ribbons may be extruded simultaneously by using multiple slots.

Abstract: A polymer extrusion crosshead assembly for forming a spirally-striped extrusion. The assembly includes conventional components for admitting, turning, and accelerating primary molten polymer toward a novel rotating die sub-assembly. A body element includes an axial counterbore for receiving a manifold supply block in communication with a source of secondary striping polymer. A wear plate is attached to the manifold block. The die sub-assembly includes a striping die having an annular passage for conveying the primary polymer to form an extruded tube or a core material coating. The die is loaded against the wear plate by a Belleville washer. The die includes one or more striping nozzles in communication with the manifold block for injecting secondary striping polymer into the annular stream of primary polymer flowing through the die, creating a longitudinal stripe of striping polymer. Rotating the die while extruding both polymers yields a helically striped (spiral) extrusion.

Abstract: A polymer extrusion head for forming continuous shapes having one or more lumens therein. The head includes an extrusion mandrel and die. At least one lumen pipe is disposed radially through a port in the die to intersect the polymer flow in the annular region between the tip and the die. The lumen pipe is a welded assembly having a 90° turn formed as a mitered joint with zero bend radius. The lumen pipe is held in a pin vise engaged in the die such that position of the lumen pipe may be readily adjusted. Axial and radial positions are established during assembly by means of a gauge block. A plurality of lumen pipes may be accommodated for a plurality of lumens by a manifold distribution system including individual lumen pipe assemblies.

Abstract: A polymer extrusion crosshead assembly for forming a spirally-striped extrusion. The assembly includes conventional components for admitting, turning, and accelerating primary molten polymer toward a novel rotating die sub-assembly. A body element includes an axial counterbore for receiving a manifold supply block in communication with a source of secondary striping polymer. A wear plate is attached to the manifold block. The die sub-assembly includes a striping die having an annular passage for conveying the primary polymer to form an extruded tube or a core material coating. The die is loaded against the wear plate by a Belleville washer. The die includes one or more striping nozzles in communication with the manifold block for injecting secondary striping polymer into the annular stream of primary polymer flowing through the die, creating a longitudinal stripe of striping polymer. Rotating the die while extruding both polymers yields a helically striped (spiral) extrusion.

Abstract: A polymer extrusion head for forming continuous shapes having one or more lumens therein. The head includes an extrusion mandrel and die. At least one lumen pipe is disposed radially through a port in the die to intersect the polymer flow in the annular region between the tip and the die. The lumen pipe is a welded assembly having a 90° turn formed as a mitered joint with zero bend radius. The lumen pipe is held in a pin vise engaged in the die such that position of the lumen pipe may be readily adjusted. Axial and radial positions are established during assembly by means of a gauge block. A plurality of lumen pipes may be accommodated for a plurality of lumens by a manifold distribution system including individual lumen pipe assemblies.

Abstract: A crosshead assembly for forming extruded shapes from molten polymer. The assembly includes body sections, a mandrel, a choke ring, and a tip holder for admitting, turning, and accelerating molten polymer toward a novel rotatable die sub-assembly. The die sub-assembly includes a hub, axially-loaded duplex ball bearings, and a pulley for rotating the sub-assembly. The choke ring extends into the die sub-assembly, and a cylindrical seal element is disposed therebetween. A changeable extrusion tip is threaded onto the second cylindrical portion of the tip holder. A die in the sub-assembly is specific to the shape to be extruded. For forming a spiral ribbon and a skin layer on core material, the die opening is a circular central aperture and a radial slot. Multiple ribbons may be extruded simultaneously by using multiple slots.

Abstract: A polymer extrusion assembly for forming a striped extrusion. The assembly includes conventional components for conveying a primary and a secondary molten polymer of differing colors, arranged concentrically, toward a die sub-assembly, which may be rotatable. The die has an opening for conveying the primary polymer to form an extruded tube. The periphery of the die opening is modified to cause thinning or breaching of the secondary polymer skin layer as it passes through the die. The periphery may be provided with teeth which furrow the skin layer, exposing the primary polymer underneath, or the periphery may be comprise a plurality of facets meeting at sharp internal corners, wherein the skin layer is forced into the corners and is breached at the centers of the facets, again exposing the primary polymer underneath in longitudinal stripes. By causing the die sub-assembly to rotate during extrusion, a spirally striped extrusion is formed.

Abstract: A polymer extrusion head for forming extruded elements includes a tapered supply section and a one-piece helicoid manifold comprising an entrance cone, a spider element for splitting the flow into multiple streams, a cylindrical transition and flow-turning zone, a flow space for re-mixing the streams, and a conical zone. A conical choke ring surrounds the conical zone. An extrusion tip and die are disposed downstream of the manifold and body. The body and die are provided with heaters, and the manifold and extrusion tip may include internal heaters. The extrusion tip may be accessed for maintenance or changeover to another shape or size. The die surrounding the tip may be readily centered with respect to the tip. An axial surface in the die acts as a seat for the choke ring.