Abstract: A vehicle (6) apparatus for removing material from the seabed is disclosed. The vehicle comprises first thrusters (10) for moving the vehicle vertically and second thrusters (12) for moving the vehicle horizontally. A collector unit (16) removes material from the seabed, and a latching mechanism (42) is adapted to be connected to a riser to enable removed material to be transported to a vessel on the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for motor control of a lawnmower includes multiple blade motors, a logic circuit and a power circuit. The plurality of blade motors are coupled to the lawnmower and configured for cutting vegetation. The logic circuit configured to receive a feedback signal from each of the plurality of blade motors and generate an output signal. The power circuit is configured to drive each of the plurality of blade motors simultaneously in response to the output signal such that the speed of all of the plurality of blade motors is lowered when the feedback signal indicates that one of the plurality of blade motors has encountered an obstruction, clog, or another type of high load.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for motor stoppage during a battery disconnect includes a safe torque off circuit, a backup power source, and a feedback input. The backup power source is configured to supply power to the safe torque off circuit. The feedback input is configured to provide a status signal to the safe torque off circuit. The safe torque off circuit is configured to provide a switch signal to a motor circuit in response to the status signal.

Abstract: A vehicle (6) apparatus for removing material from the seabed is disclosed. The vehicle comprises first thrusters (10) for moving the vehicle vertically and second thrusters (12) for moving the vehicle horizontally. A collector unit (16) removes material from the seabed, and a latching mechanism (42) is adapted to be connected to a riser to enable removed material to be transported to a vessel on the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for sorting mixed waste materials, comprising: a housing (260) configured to be vibrated to assist sorting; a screen (210) supported by the housing (260) and having an inlet end (212) for receiving waste materials and an outlet end (214) for discharging at least some waste received at the inlet end (212), the screen (210) comprising at least one portion (220) pivotally coupled adjacent the inlet end (212) to a substantially horizontal axle (222) mounted in the housing (260); and drive means (224,228) configured to pivot the at least one portion (222) of the screen (210) about the axle (222) with a controlled reciprocating action.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for sorting mixed waste materials, comprising: a housing (260) configured to be vibrated to assist sorting; a screen (210) supported by the housing (260) and having an inlet end (212) for receiving waste materials and an outlet end (214) for discharging at least some waste received at the inlet end (212), the screen (210) comprising at least one portion (220) pivotally coupled adjacent the inlet end (212) to a substantially horizontal axle (222) mounted in the housing (260); and drive means (224,228) configured to pivot the at least one portion (222) of the screen (210) about the axle (222) with a controlled reciprocating action.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for sorting mixed waste materials, comprising: a housing (260) configured to be vibrated to assist sorting; a screen (210) supported by the housing (260) and having an inlet end (212) for receiving waste materials and an outlet end (214) for discharging at least some waste received at the inlet end (212), the screen (210) comprising at least one portion (220) pivotally coupled adjacent the inlet end (212) to a substantially horizontal axle (222) mounted in the housing (260); and drive means (224,228) configured to pivot the at least one portion (222) of the screen (210) about the axle (222) with a controlled reciprocating action.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for sorting mixed waste materials, comprising: a housing (260) configured to be vibrated to assist sorting; a screen (210) supported by the housing (260) and having an inlet end (212) for receiving waste materials and an outlet end (214) for discharging at least some waste received at the inlet end (212), the screen (210) comprising at least one portion (220) pivotally coupled adjacent the inlet end (212) to a substantially horizontal axle (222) mounted in the housing (260); and drive means (224,228) configured to pivot the at least one portion (222) of the screen (210) about the axle (222) with a controlled reciprocating action.

Abstract: An output member for a Direct Impact Hopkinson pressure bar includes an elongate tube portion and a disc-shaped cap portion. The tube portion has a first end and an opposite second end, while the cap portion includes a first face and an opposite second face. A circular stub protrudes from a center of the first face, and a circular cavity is formed in the second face. Each of the stub and the cavity is concentric with the cap portion, with a diameter of the cavity being greater than a diameter of the stub. The second face of the cap portion is positioned in intimate contact with the first end of the tube portion, with the cap portion being concentric with the tube portion.

Abstract: An output member for a Direct Impact Hopkinson pressure bar includes an elongate tube portion and a disc-shaped cap portion. The tube portion has a first end and an opposite second end, while the cap portion includes a first face and an opposite second face. A circular stub protrudes from a centre of the first face, and a circular cavity is formed in the second face. Each of the stub and the cavity is concentric with the cap portion, with a diameter of the cavity being greater than a diameter of the stub. The second face of the cap portion is positioned in intimate contact with the first end of the tube portion, with the cap portion being concentric with the tube portion.

Abstract: An isolation monitor is disclosed in which a switchable bias voltage is imposed on a chassis ground. An isolation voltage is measured when a bias voltage is applied. When there are no electrical faults, the isolation voltage swings up and down to known values. When a fault occurs, the isolation voltage will not to swing to the known values, and thus the isolation resistance can be measured and alarm generated if the isolation resistance falls below a threshold value.

Abstract: An e-mail sender is provided with an option to send a notification to the prospective recipient(s) of an e-mail indicating to the recipient that an e-mail has been sent to his or her attention or to a business or other entities attention. The notification can be advantageously sent by a different communications route, such as by mail, courier, telephone call, facsimile, social network, or other method. Back up notifications can also be sent on an automated basis. The notification can be sent automatically and/or sent a period of time after the e-mail is sent if an acknowledgment or reply is not received.

Abstract: Circuits, systems, and methods are disclosed to eliminate the requirement for an external electromechanical contactor. Integrating contactor circuits with a motor controller reduces cost. Additionally, the cost of the contactor circuit may be reduced by providing transistors designed to block current in only one direction in the event of an electrical fault corresponding to an electrical drive direction.

Abstract: An isolation monitor is disclosed in which a switchable bias voltage is imposed on a chassis ground. An isolation voltage is measured when a bias voltage is applied. When there are no electrical faults, the isolation voltage swings up and down to known values. When a fault occurs, the isolation voltage will not to swing to the known values, and thus the isolation resistance can be measured and alarm generated if the isolation resistance falls below a threshold value.

Abstract: Circuits, systems, and methods are disclosed to eliminate the requirement for an external electromechanical contactor. Integrating contactor circuits with a motor controller reduces cost. Additionally, the cost of the contactor circuit may be reduced by providing transistors designed to block current in only one direction in the event of an electrical fault corresponding to an electrical drive direction.

Abstract: An e-mail sender is provided with an option to send a notification to the prospective recipient(s) of an e-mail indicating to the recipient that an e-mail has been sent to his or her attention or to a business or other entities attention. The notification can be advantageously sent by a different communications route, such as by mail, courier, telephone call, facsimile, social network, or other method. Back up notifications can also be sent on an automated basis. The notification can be sent automatically and/or sent a period of time after the e-mail is sent if an acknowledgment or reply is not received.

Abstract: The invention relates, according to one embodiment, to a graft syringe assembly for delivering bone graft material is disclosed. The graft syringe assembly comprises a syringe subassembly including a syringe barrel having an inner chamber adapted for receiving bone graft material, a plunger adapted for expelling bone graft material from the inner chamber, the plunger slidably received within the inner chamber, and a syringe adapter coupled to the syringe barrel. The graft syringe assembly further comprises a connection subassembly coupled to the syringe adapter, and a delivery tube subassembly coupled to the connection subassembly, wherein the connection subassembly is configured to allow the delivery tube subassembly to rotate relative to the syringe subassembly.

Abstract: Screening methods for identifying compounds that are useful as contraceptives are provided. In particular, the compounds inhibit the interaction between steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) and nuclear receptor interacting protein (Nrip1) or the up-regulate SF-1 expression.

Abstract: From one aspect the invention is a method of classifying waste materials comprising arranging two sieve screens, each having an inlet end and an outlet end, one above the other to define a space there between, arranging the upper screen, to be of coarser mesh size than the lower screen, supplying waste material to be classified to the inlet end of the upper screen, vibrating the screens, and blowing air between the screens from the inlet end and towards the outlet end whereby the waste material being blown away from the outlet ends of the screens, and large heavy material falling under gravity from the outlet end of the upper screen, and separately collecting the separated waste material fractions. From another aspect the invention is an apparatus for carrying out the method described above.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimally invasive tissue removal contemplates a system including a tissue cutting tool having a motor driven cutting blade reciprocating within a percutaneously introducable cannula. In accordance with one method of the invention, the frequency of reciprocation of the cutting blade is tuned to a characteristic frequency of the target tissue to be excised, which frequency is a function of certain properties of the target tissue and the surrounding tissue. Cutting at the characteristic frequency of the target tissue not only enhances the speed and efficiency of the tissue excision, but also minimizes the risk of cutting surrounding tissue. Another aspect of the system includes feedback control of both aspiration and irrigation circuits of the system. With the feedback control, coupled with user settable inputs, the surgeon can control the system to "tease" tissue into the cutting opening to provide more manageable bite sizes of the excised tissue.