Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are related to a dispenser system for dispensing carbonated beverages, including flavored carbonated beverages. The dispenser system can provide on-demand, in-line carbonation of beverages (i.e., without a holding tank). The dispenser system can be sized to fit on a countertop. The dispenser system can include a nozzle system that allows for in-nozzle mixing of carbonated water with a beverage ingredient (e.g., a syrup). The dispensers system can include a contactor that includes a sparge plate; a dissolution tube for dissolving carbon dioxide bubbles in water; a sparge disc for reducing pressure of the carbonated water to atmospheric pressure; a beverage ingredient source for providing an ingredient; and a nozzle that receives and mixes the carbonated water and the ingredient.

Abstract: A device configured to provide a value indicative of fluorescent emission from a substrate 5 having a test region is provided. The device comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit excitation radiation towards the test region to excite fluorescent emission from a fluorescent material in the test region. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured such that a variation in intensity of the excitation radiation across the test region is less than 15%. The device further comprises a sensor configured to capture a primary 10 image of the fluorescent emission, and a controller configured to modify the primary image based on calibration data and to use the modified image to obtain the value indicative of the fluorescent emission.

Abstract: A conversation control system and associated methods adapt or modify currently active or future conversations and/or interactions based on machine-generated models that continuously evaluate client satisfaction over the entirety of the active conversations and/or interactions. The system receives a conversation with utterances by two or more participants, and generates a vector with features comprised of words, word sequences, and category classifications associated with at least one of the utterances. The system provides the features as inputs to a prediction model that assigns weights to a set of features based on a modeling of different impacts that each feature of the set of features has on one or more aspects of customer satisfaction. The system generates predictions for those aspects of customer satisfaction without input from the participants based on the assigned weights, and performs an automated action based on the one or more predictions.

Abstract: A condenser fan includes a lock hub and multiple blades that are fastened to the hub. Each of the blades includes six planes, each of which having variable parameters including pitch angle, sickle, chord length, and blade curve. For each embodiment of the evaporator fan, the blades are identically configured.

Abstract: A device configured to provide a value indicative of fluorescent emission from a substrate 5 having a test region is provided. The device comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit excitation radiation towards the test region to excite fluorescent emission from a fluorescent material in the test region. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured such that a variation in intensity of the excitation radiation across the test region is less than 15%. The device further comprises a sensor configured to capture a primary 10 image of the fluorescent emission, and a controller configured to modify the primary image based on calibration data and to use the modified image to obtain the value indicative of the fluorescent emission.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a patient support for supporting a patient. The patient support comprises a lattice of cells each having a base, a top disposed opposite the base, and one or more buckling elements having a thickness and extending from the base to the top to form a column.

Abstract: A condenser fan includes a lock hub and multiple blades that are fastened to the hub. Each of the blades includes six planes, each of which having variable parameters including pitch angle, sickle, chord length, and blade curve. For each embodiment of the evaporator fan, the blades are identically configured.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a patient support for supporting a patient. The patient support comprises a lattice of cells each having a base, a top disposed opposite the base, and one or more buckling elements having a thickness and extending from the base to the top to form a column.

Abstract: An inductive sensor device has a scale with scale elements that provide a field pattern in at least one line extending in a measuring direction. The inductive sensor device contains at least one receive circuit with at least one receive coil. The receive coil and the scale are moveable relative to each other in the measuring direction. The receive coil extends from a first end to a second end in the measuring direction. It has a first end section directly adjacent to the first end and a second end section directly adjacent to the second end, and middle section. Each of the sections contains at least one loop of the receive coil. In the end sections the loop area decreases from loop to loop from the loop next to the middle section toward the respective end. Such a loop design compensates for misalignments between the receive coil and the scale.

Abstract: An inductive sensor device (23) having a scale unit (24) and a sensor unit (25) that can be moved relative to each other in a measuring direction (M) is described. The scale unit contains scale elements (26) that are adapted to create a field pattern (P(x)) in measuring direction (M) that is detected by means of a receive circuit (35) of the sensor unit (25). The receive circuit (35) contains at least a first receive coil set (36) and a second receive coil set (37) that are offset in measuring direction (M). In so doing a first spatial phase and a second spatial phase receive signal is provided by these receive coil sets (36, 37) respectively. These spatial phases can be used for absolute position determination.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a patient support for supporting a patient. The patient support comprises a lattice of cells each having a base, a top disposed opposite the base, and one or more buckling elements having a thickness and extending from the base to the top to form a column.

Abstract: An inductive sensor device has a scale with scale elements that provide a field pattern in at least one line extending in a measuring direction. The inductive sensor device contains at least one receive circuit with at least one receive coil. The receive coil and the scale are moveable relative to each other in the measuring direction. The receive coil extends from a first end to a second end in the measuring direction. It has a first end section directly adjacent to the first end and a second end section directly adjacent to the second end, and middle section. Each of the sections contains at least one loop of the receive coil. In the end sections the loop area decreases from loop to loop from the loop next to the middle section toward the respective end. Such a loop design compensates for misalignments between the receive coil and the scale.

Abstract: An inductive sensor device (23) having a scale unit (24) and a sensor unit (25) that can be moved relative to each other in a measuring direction (M) is described. The scale unit contains scale elements (26) that are adapted to create a field pattern (P(x)) in measuring direction (M) that is detected by means of a receive circuit (35) of the sensor unit (25). The receive circuit (35) contains at least a first receive coil set (36) and a second receive coil set (37) that are offset in measuring direction (M). In so doing a first spatial phase and a second spatial phase receive signal is provided by these receive coil sets (36, 37) respectively. These spatial phases can be used for absolute position determination.

Abstract: A fitting assembly for receiving and restraining a stud includes a sleeve defining a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the fitting assembly. The sleeve includes one or more restraining members that selectively restrain the stud within the bore such that an axial position of the stud is limited to a selected one of a plurality of positions within the bore. The one or more restraining members are moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein axial movement of the stud within the bore is inhibited when the one or more restraining members are in the first position, and wherein axial movement of the stud is permitted when the one or more restraining members are in the second position. A clamp attachable to the one or more restraining members prevents movement of the one or more restraining members from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a fitting assembly for receiving and restraining a stud. The fitting assembly comprises a sleeve defining a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the fitting assembly, and the sleeve includes restraining means for selectively restraining a stud received in the bore. The restraining means are moveable between a first position and a second position, where in the first position axial movement of a stud received in the bore is inhibited and in the second position axial movement of a stud received in the bore is permitted. The sleeve is clampable by clamping means for preventing movement of the restraining means to the second position.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance (20) comprising a pair of clamping members (24) for clamping hair to be styled, wherein at least one of said clamping members comprises: a hair heating plate (26); and means (22) for manipulating a user's roots spaced apart from the hair heating plate whereby, in use, the means for manipulating a user's root is brought into contact a user's roots and the hair heating plate is spaced apart from a user's head.

Abstract: An inductive position encoder is described having first and second members which are relatively moveable over a measurement path, a magnetic device mounted on the first member; a plurality of first windings mounted on the second member; and a second winding. The magnetic device is operable to interact with the windings such that upon the energization of either the second winding or the first windings, there is generated a plurality of sensor signals each being associated with a respective one of said first windings and varying with the relative position between said magnetic device and the associated first winding and hence with the relative position between said first and second members. Additionally, the plurality of first windings are arranged along said measurement path so that the sensor signals vary substantially in accordance with a predetermined Gray code.

Abstract: An inductive position encoder is described having first and second members which are relatively moveable over a measurement path, a magnetic device mounted on the first member; a plurality of first windings mounted on the second member; and a second winding. The magnetic device is operable to interact with the windings such that upon the energisation of either the second winding or the first windings, there is generated a plurality of sensor signals each being associated with a respective one of said first windings and varying with the relative position between said magnetic device and the associated first winding and hence with the relative position between said first and second members. Additionally, the plurality of first windings are arranged along said measurement path so that the sensor signals vary substantially in accordance with a predetermined Gray code.

Abstract: A user interface includes a display for displaying of a plurality of sensor data sets representative of signals associated with a plurality of sensors configured for sensing of a subsurface. At least some of the sensors are configured for subsurface sensing in a manner differing from other sensors of the plurality of sensors. Each of the sensor data sets comprises sensor data samples each associated with geographic position data. The sensor data sets are shown overlaid within a volume depicted on the display. The graphical representations of the sensor data sets are individually viewable within the volume and displayed in geographical alignment relative to one another within the volume in accordance with the geographic position data of the sensor data samples of each of the sensor data sets.