Abstract: A process and an apparatus for pyrolysis of mixed plastic feedstock producing petroleum products are described. In one example, a process for producing petroleum products includes charging feedstock of mixed polymer materials into a reactor apparatus. Heat energy is applied to the feedstock while advancing the feedstock through the reactor apparatus in an anaerobic operation. The energy input to the reactor apparatus is controlled by controlling a temperature gradient within the reactor vessel to produce petroleum gas product. The process involves in situ chemical reactions comprising cracking and recombination reactions that that are controlled to convert solid hydrocarbonaceous portion of the feedstock to molten fluids and gases inside the reactor vessel and to produce gaseous petroleum products which exit the reactor vessel. The separated solid residue from the pyrolysis process is also removed from the reactions vessel.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for pyrolysis of mixed plastic feedstock producing petroleum products are described. In one example, a process for producing petroleum products includes charging feedstock of mixed polymer materials into a reactor apparatus. Heat energy is applied to the feedstock while advancing the feedstock through the reactor apparatus in an anaerobic operation. The energy input to the reactor apparatus is controlled by controlling a temperature gradient within the reactor vessel to produce petroleum gas product. The process involves in situ chemical reactions comprising cracking and recombination reactions that that are controlled to convert solid hydrocarbonaceous portion of the feedstock to molten fluids and gases inside the reactor vessel and to produce gaseous petroleum products which exit the reactor vessel. The separated solid residue from the pyrolysis process is also removed from the reactions vessel.

Abstract: A packaging container for holding contents such as fresh food. The container comprises a tray having a flange, a pre-formed sealing ring and a flexible film for sealing in the contents of the tray. The sealing ring is made from fiber, filament or tape (“FFT”) that is shaped into a shape that matches the shape of the tray flange. The sealing ring is adhered to the tray flange by heat welding or other means and the flexible film is adhered to the sealing ring.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot in at least one pose of the robot wherein the robot can be operated in either a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation the robot can be moved by manually applying a guiding force to the robot. The method includes determining a distance of a state variable of the robot from a first limit and then triggering a safety response when the distance satisfies a first condition and the robot is operating in the first mode of operation. When the robot is operating in the second mode of operation and the distance satisfies the first condition, the method includes not triggering the safety response, and motorically applying a positioning force to the robot in dependence on the determined distance so that the distance can be reduced when the robot is unobstructed.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for pyrolysis of mixed plastic feedstock producing petroleum products are described. In one example, a process for producing petroleum products includes charging feedstock of mixed polymer materials into a reactor apparatus. Heat energy is applied to the feedstock while advancing the feedstock through the reactor apparatus in an anaerobic operation. The energy input to the reactor apparatus is controlled by controlling a temperature gradient within the reactor vessel to produce petroleum gas product. The process involves in situ chemical reactions comprising cracking and recombination reactions that that are controlled to convert solid hydrocarbonaceous portion of the feedstock to molten fluids and gases inside the reactor vessel and to produce gaseous petroleum products which exit the reactor vessel. The separated solid residue from the pyrolysis process is also removed from the reactions vessel.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot in at least one pose of the robot wherein the robot can be operated in either a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation the robot can be moved by manually applying a guiding force to the robot. The method includes determining a distance of a state variable of the robot from a first limit and then triggering a safety response when the distance satisfies a first condition and the robot is operating in the first mode of operation. When the robot is operating in the second mode of operation and the distance satisfies the first condition, the method includes not triggering the safety response, and motorically applying a positioning force to the robot in dependence on the determined distance so that the distance can be reduced when the robot is unobstructed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot having a robotic arm. The robotic arm has several axes (A1-A6) and at least one electric drive, which comprises an electric motor (7-12) and power electronics (16) actuating the electric motor (7-12) and is equipped to move the relevant axis (A1-A6). The industrial robot (1) is equipped to short-circuit the electric motor (7-12) in the event of emergency braking simultaneously by means of two independent electric current paths.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot having a robotic arm. The robotic arm has several axes (A1-A6) and at least one electric drive, which comprises an electric motor (7-12) and power electronics (16) actuating the electric motor (7-12) and is equipped to move the relevant axis (A1-A6). The industrial robot (1) is equipped to short-circuit the electric motor (7-12) in the event of emergency braking simultaneously by means of two independent electric current paths.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for depth-resolved spectroscopy. A ball lens may be used to redirect light from a fiber-optic probe so that the light intersects the detection region of a collection probe in a specific depth layer of the specimen. A fiber-optic probe may comprise a collection fiber proximal to a central axis of a ball lens and a pair of illumination fibers distal to the central axis.

Abstract: A return loss bridge circuit for testing a balanced test impedance includes an input connector and a reflection connector. The input connector and the reflection connector are electrically connected to an output of a network analyzer and an input of the network analyzer, respectively. The return loss bridge circuit further includes a reference impedance connected between the input and reflection connectors, first and second transformers and a common mode choke. The common mode choke is electrically connectable to the balanced test impedance.

Abstract: A longitudinal balance measuring bridge circuit includes a common mode signal injection circuit in the form of a center tapped, 4:1 balanced matching transformer. The signal injection circuit is coupleable to an item under test (IUT) and to a source of common mode signal, and provides the common mode signal to the IUT. The common mode signal injection circuit includes balanced outputs. A common mode filter is coupled to the balanced outputs of the common mode signal injection circuit and attenuates the common mode signal. The common mode filter also includes balanced outputs on which are provided a transverse signal resulting from the common mode signal provided to the IUT. A signal output balun is coupled to the balanced outputs of the common mode filter and converts the transverse signal to an unbalanced signal.

Abstract: A longitudinal balance measuring bridge circuit includes a common mode signal injection circuit in the form of a center tapped, 4:1 balanced matching transformer. The signal injection circuit is coupleable to an item under test (IUT) and to a source of common mode signal, and provides the common mode signal to the IUT. The common mode signal injection circuit includes balanced outputs. A common mode filter is coupled to the balanced outputs of the common mode signal injection circuit and attenuates the common mode signal. The common mode filter also includes balanced outputs on which are provided a transverse signal resulting from the common mode signal provided to the IUT. A signal output balun is coupled to the balanced outputs of the common mode filter and converts the transverse signal to an unbalanced signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for depth-resolved spectroscopy. A ball lens may be used to redirect light from a fiber-optic probe so that the light intersects the detection region of a collection probe in a specific depth layer of the specimen. A fiber-optic probe may comprise a collection fiber proximal to a central axis of a ball lens and a pair of illumination fibers distal to the central axis.

Abstract: Coatings for microporous printing sheets are disclosed. The coatings comprise an acrylic resin and a dye fixative material. The coated microporous sheets may be inkjet printed with good image characteristics. The printed sheets may be laminated, and possess high peel strengths while maintaining favorable optical characteristics. The coated microporous printing sheets are useful for many applications such as laminated security cards, tags and labels, as well as wide format printing applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for evaluating the financial strength of a holding in comparison to other holdings of a portfolio. In one embodiment, a method of evaluating holdings of a portfolio consists of identifying the holdings that comprise the portfolio and identifying a set of Filters that that are to be used in evaluating the holdings, obtaining financial information for each of the holdings, identifying financial metrics that are to be used in evaluating the holdings and determining the values of the financial metrics for each of the holdings. The Filter values for each holding are then determined and each holding is then ranked for each Filter. Each holding is assigned a positional score for each Filter based upon its ranking for that Filter. An overall fundamental strength score is then generated for each Holding based upon all of the intra-Filter positional scores that it was assigned.

Abstract: Printing sheets comprising microporous material or compressed microporous material having an ink-receptive layer joined to at least one side of the microporous material or compressed microporous material are particularly suited for ink jet printing. Preferably the ink receptive layer comprises hydrated aluminum oxide, and binder comprising water-soluble hydroxypropyl cellulose and water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol).

Abstract: Described is a printable microporous material exhibiting enhanced readability of one or more images, e.g., printed indicia, patterns, and designs, applied thereupon. The printable microporous material of the present invention comprises: a matrix of substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic organic polymer, e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, finely divided, substantially water-insoluble non-color producing particulate filler, e.g., precipitated silica, a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout the material, and an amount of blue colorant sufficient to improve the readability of printing, e.g., two-dimensional bar codes, present thereon.

Abstract: Very thin microporous material comprises a matrix of substantially linear polyolefin, finely divided substantially water-insoluble filler particles distributed throughout the matrix, and a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout said microporous material. The very thin microporous material can be produced by the blown film process. The material is used as a separator in a battery.

Abstract: Microporous material comprising water insoluble thermoplastic organic polymer and particulate amorphous precipitated silica not only exhibits low particulate emissions during handling and use, but also has a low extactable alkali metal content. Microporous material having these characteristics is especially useful in clean rooms where electronic devices such as integrated circuits are manufactured. Such microporous material may be produced by employing amorphous precipitated silica particles having low alkali metal content as all or a substantial proportion of the amorphous precipitated silica particles constituting the microporous material.

Abstract: A turbine vane for a gas turbine engine core adaptable to be operated in a variety of thrust regimes is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which provide cooling to an inner platform of the turbine vane. In one particular embodiment, a turbine vane includes a hollow core permitting cooling fluid to pass through the vane and an inner platform having a pocket disposed therein, the pocket being in fluid communication with the core. Heat is exchanged between the platform and the cooling fluid within the pocket. Cooling holes extend between the pocket and a flow surface of a platform to provide cooling of the flow surface.