Abstract: A controller for use with a nondestructive inspection system communicates with the nondestructive inspection system and with a robot for moving an inspection probe of the nondestructive inspection system relative to an object under inspection. The controller is configured to periodically generate estimated position information of the probe moving relative to the object under inspection and communicate the estimated position information to the nondestructive inspection system as the nondestructive inspection system collects inspection data from the probe. The controller receives actual position information from the robot, the actual position information indicating an actual position of the probe, and corrects the estimated position information based on the actual position information.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a curved portion of a manufactured part comprises a frame, a sensor, a plunger, and a linking mechanism. The frame may include a first contact wall and an opposing second contact wall. Each contact wall may contact a planar portion of the part adjacent to the curved portion and may be oriented at an angle corresponding to an angle of the planar portions of the part adjacent to the curved portion. The sensor may transmit at least one signal to and receive at least one signal from the part. The plunger may contact the surface of the part and move as a radius of curvature of the part changes. The linking mechanism may couple to the plunger and may adjust the height of the sensor above a surface of the part in response to motion of the plunger.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for consolidating session information for a cluster of sessions in a coupled session environment. Information for each of a plurality of sessions comprising a cluster is stored in a memory of a processor session. Each session associates at least one primary system and at least one secondary system, wherein within each session, updates are copied from the at least one primary system to the at least one secondary system. The session information in the memory for the plurality of sessions is processed to generate consolidated session information for the cluster based on the session information for the sessions in the cluster. The consolidated session information for the cluster is written to a master data set maintaining information for sessions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gold surface for the catalytic release of hydrogen from an alkane thiol. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a large surface area of gold on a carbon fiber scaffold that does not contain any sublayers of metals that can block the catalytic release of hydrogen from alkane thiols or form other reactions that remove the sulfur moiety from alkane thiol. There is further disclosed a method for forming a gold surface onto woven carbon fiber sheets wherein no sublayer or other intermediate material is used.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a precious metals-containing concentrate or residue results in near-quantitave removal of base metals and several impurity elements at elevated temperatures. The precious metals-containing concentrate or residue is exposed to oxygen or an oxygen-containing environment in an oxidative pre-treatment step followed by treatment with a hydrochlorinating agent in a hydrochlorination step to form an upgraded concentrate or residue.

Abstract: A group of solar power stations with inverters are adjusted in order to achieve optimum power output in accordance with maximum power-point tracking (MPPT). The MPPT data is used to perform adjustments. Power measurement factors, including Maximum Power Points (MPPs) are established to represent a bus-voltage setting that produces the maximum power output from an individual photovoltaic panel. These settings are established for the group so as to optimize power output under a variety of operating conditions.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide a scientific and analytical basis for the following: (a) collective interpretation of the entire spectrum of chromatographic data, e.g., GC×GC two-dimensional data, with capability of operating at multi-resolution over bigger or smaller sub-regions of the two-dimensional data, (b) given two or more samples that are from the same source, and some samples from clearly different sources, quantitatively estimate where the fingerprint of the source lies, (c) given a source signature template, an unknown sample can be compared to decide whether it is related to, and if so, to what degree, to this source, and (d) given two source signature templates, the templates can be compared to determine how related is one source to the other.

Abstract: A cooking appliance has a housing, a cooking medium, a control panel, a heat source for heating the cooking medium, a microprocessor, and a shut-off timer. The timer counts down a specified time when a measured temperature of the cooking medium equals or exceeds a target temperature and shuts off the heat source after the specified time elapses. The microprocessor can pause the shut-off timer when the measured temperature drops below a threshold temperature upon food being placed in contact with the cooking medium. The microprocessor restarts the shut-off timer, if paused, when the measured temperature reaches a predetermined recovery temperature above the threshold temperature. A method of operating such an appliance includes pausing the shut-off timer when the measured temperature drops below the threshold temperature and restarting the shut-off timer when the measured temperature reaches the predetermined recovery temperature.

Abstract: An interposer comprising a plurality of optical conduits, each having an optical axis, a substrate defining a plurality of grooves having a terminal end, each optical conduit being disposed in a single groove, and a common angled surface traversing two or more of the grooves at the terminal end, at least a portion of the angled surface proximate the optical axes of the optical conduits in the two or more grooves is reflective, and one or more optical components disposed above the angled surface, the optical components and the optical conduits being optically coupled by the angled surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating a fabric material to a part broadly comprises a cutting element, a heating system, a vertical pressure unit, and a compaction roller assembly. The cutting element may cut scrap material from the sides of the fabric material. The heating system may heat the fabric material after the material exits the vacuum conveyor assembly. The vertical pressure unit may apply a downward force on the compaction roller assembly, which may receive the fabric material and press the fabric material against a surface of the part. The compaction roller assembly may include a roller operable to have a variable curvature along its longitudinal axis and an actuating device operable to apply a variable torque to opposing ends of the roller to vary the curvature of the roller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently processing electronically stored information (ESI) are described. The systems and methods describe processing ESI in preparation for, or association with, litigation. The invention preserves the contextual relationships among documents when processing and indexing data, allowing for increased precision and recall during data analytics.

Abstract: A process for assembling an airbag for use in vehicle applications is disclosed. The airbag has a seam made from two or more different materials (102, 104). The combination of the materials and the process for assembling the airbag minimize the need for sewn seams.

Abstract: Methods for refolding antibodies, particularly monoclonal antibodies, from aggregated and/or denatured preparations by subjecting the antibody preparation to high hydrostatic pressure are provided. Refolded preparations of antibodies produced by the methods described herein are also provided.

Abstract: An aftermarket keyless starter for a vehicle including a smart ignition system and an OEM security system is provided. The OEM security system includes an OEM transponder for user verification and an OEM reader for reading the OEM transponder when the OEM transponder is within a range R of the OEM reader. The OEM transponder stores an OEM identification code. The aftermarket keyless starter includes a secure box which is outside of the range R for isolating the OEM transponder from the OEM security system, an aftermarket reader, an aftermarket microcontroller, and an aftermarket transmitter. The aftermarket microcontroller is operable to receive the keyless start command and respond thereto by having the aftermarket reader read the OEM identification code and retransmitting the OEM identification code to the OEM reader. The engine start command is transmitted to the smart ignition system subsequent to the sending of the keyless start command.

Abstract: A slurry distribution system can include a feed conduit and a distribution conduit in fluid communication therewith. The feed conduit can include a first feed inlet and a second feed inlet disposed in spaced relationship thereto. The distribution conduit can extend generally along a longitudinal axis and include an entry portion and a distribution outlet in fluid communication therewith. The entry portion is in fluid communication with the first and second feed inlets of the feed conduit. The distribution outlet extends a predetermined distance along a transverse axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slurry distribution system can be placed in fluid communication with a gypsum slurry mixer adapted to agitate water and calcined gypsum to form an aqueous calcined gypsum slurry.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning the perforations of well casings employs a non-rotating tubing string attached to a hydraulic jet carrier body. The carrier body has outwardly extending arms which terminate in spray nozzles, each of the nozzles expelling a stream of fluid under pressure against the well casing with an inertial force. The nozzles are oriented on the carrier body such that the reactive force for each jet is directionally offset with respect to the central axis of the carrier, thereby creating a twisting moment tending to rotate the carrier body about its central axis. The nozzles are located a fixed distance from the carrier body which is between about ½ and 1½ inches from the well casing perforations in use.

Abstract: A core pin assembly is provided that includes a core pin insert comprising a core pin body and at least one pin member, and a core pin support defining a passageway for receiving the core pin member. The core pin support, when assembled to the core pin insert, retains the core pin members in desired positions and resists unintended flexing of the core pin members during the molding process. When used to create a lens body, the presence of the core pin support in the mold during the molding process causes formation of a void, or “window,” in the molded lens body. The window of the lens body may be used to advantage in fixing optical fibers to the lens body by applying epoxy within the window directly to the fiber's glass core/cladding, and in close physical proximity to the fibers distal end within the lens body's passageway.

Abstract: Database creation, maintenance, and use with related components, including but not limited to one or more computer programs, enable a message originator to identify cellular telephone subscribers who are associated with a particular linking entity, and to then transmit messages to subscribers via their cellular telephones according to individualized input settings received from particular subscribers.

Abstract: A hydrosilylation curable composition contains a combination of high and low viscosity polyorganosiloxanes, a silicone resin, a crosslinker, and a catalyst. The composition, and the cured product thereof, is useful in optical devices such as charged coupled devices (CCDs), light emitting diodes (LEDs), lightguides, optical cameras, photo-couplers, and waveguides. Processes for fabricating the optical devices include various molding techniques, including overmolding.

Abstract: An optical interposer for optically coupling light between an OED supported on a substrate and an optical fiber, the interposer comprising: (a) an interposer of an optically-clear moldable material comprising at least the following features: (b) a port for receiving a ferrule containing at least one optical fiber, the port comprising an interface surface positioned to optically couple with an end face of the optical fiber; (c) an active lens adapted to optically couple with an OED, the active lens and the interface surface optically coupled along an optical path in the interposer; (d) a protrusion extending backward from the port, the protrusion defining a first register surface, the first register surface being a certain distance from the optical path such that, when a second register surface of a ferrule containing the optical fiber contacts the first register surface, the ferrule is aligned with the port such that the port can receive a front portion of the ferrule if the ferrule is pushed forward.