Abstract: A screen system for screening a mixture of particulate materials includes a support frame configured for receiving a plurality of modular and replaceable screen panels. Each screen panel defines a plurality of apertures that extend along a vertical direction through the screen panel and a plurality of insert recesses that are positioned around the plurality of apertures. One or more ceramic aperture inserts are positioned within the insert recesses such that the screen panel and the ceramic aperture inserts define a screening surface, and wherein each of the plurality of apertures in the screening surface are at least partially defined and surrounded by the ceramic aperture inserts.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with screening systems are provided. In one example implementation, a screening system has a plurality of screen panels. Each of the screen panels define a screening surface with one or more apertures configured to separate material. The system includes a panel node associated with each of the plurality of screen panels. The system includes a controller node associated with the screening system. The controller node is operable to communicate with each panel node. Each panel node can include one or more sensing elements. The panel node further comprises a communication circuit configured to wirelessly communicate information to the controller node.

Abstract: A screen system for screening a mixture of particulate materials includes a support frame configured for receiving a plurality of modular and replaceable screen panels. Each screen panel defines a plurality of apertures that extend along a vertical direction through the screen panel and a plurality of insert recesses that are positioned around the plurality of apertures. One or more ceramic aperture inserts are positioned within the insert recesses such that the screen panel and the ceramic aperture inserts define a screening surface, and wherein each of the plurality of apertures in the screening surface are at least partially defined and surrounded by the ceramic aperture inserts.

Abstract: The application relates to a process for forming a nonwoven composite. The process includes forming a lofty nonwoven layer, obtaining a thermoplastic polymer, and applying the thermoplastic polymer to the second surface of the nonwoven layer, where the thermoplastic polymer is in the form of a molten polymer, semi-molten polymer, or solid film. Next, pressure and optionally heat is applied to the nonwoven layer and thermoplastic polymer, where the thermoplastic polymer and the second surface of the nonwoven layer are subjected to a textured surface forming a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions in the second surface of the nonwoven layer and embedding a portion of the primary fibers from the nonwoven layer into the thermoplastic polymer within the valley regions. The thermoplastic polymer is cooled forming a thermoplastic film and the nonwoven layer which together form the nonwoven composite.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with screening systems are provided. In one example implementation, a screening system has a plurality of screen panels. Each of the screen panels define a screening surface with one or more apertures configured to separate material. The system includes a panel node associated with each of the plurality of screen panels. The system includes a controller node associated with the screening system. The controller node is operable to communicate with each panel node. Each panel node can include one or more sensing elements. The panel node further comprises a communication circuit configured to wirelessly communicate information to the controller node.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a lofty nonwoven layer and a film. The lofty nonwoven layer contains a plurality of primary fibers and defines a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions. The film contains a thermoplastic polymer and has a peak film thickness in the peak regions of the layer. The film is present on at least a majority of the second surface of the nonwoven layer. Within the valley regions, the film encapsulates a plurality of fibers from the nonwoven layer. The cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the valley regions is at least about 8% and the cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the peak regions is less than about 5%.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: A wireless power line sensing device can include an external antenna port that permits connection of an external loop antenna to the wireless power line sensing device. The external loop antenna can be used in place of the integral loop antenna which can be disabled when the external loop antenna is connected. The external loop antenna can extend substantially linearly to define a non-spherical sensing field. The wireless sensing device can also include an ultracapacitor that provides power to the wireless sensing device and/or a curved solar panel that maximizes the solar input over a wide range of angles, providing power over a longer period of time compared to a flat solar panel.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a lofty nonwoven layer and a film. The lofty nonwoven layer contains a plurality of primary fibers and defines a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions. The film contains a thermoplastic polymer and has a peak film thickness in the peak regions of the layer. The film is present on at least a majority of the second surface of the nonwoven layer. Within the valley regions, the film encapsulates a plurality of fibers from the nonwoven layer. The cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the valley regions is at least about 8% and the cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the peak regions is less than about 5%.

Abstract: The application relates to a process for forming a nonwoven composite. The process includes forming a lofty nonwoven layer, obtaining a thermoplastic polymer, and applying the thermoplastic polymer to the second surface of the nonwoven layer, where the thermoplastic polymer is in the form of a molten polymer, semi-molten polymer, or solid film. Next, pressure and optionally heat is applied to the nonwoven layer and thermoplastic polymer, where the thermoplastic polymer and the second surface of the nonwoven layer are subjected to a textured surface forming a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions in the second surface of the nonwoven layer and embedding a portion of the primary fibers from the nonwoven layer into the thermoplastic polymer within the valley regions. The thermoplastic polymer is cooled forming a thermoplastic film and the nonwoven layer which together form the nonwoven composite.

Abstract: A power line proximity sensing and warning system. The embodiments disclosed herein may be configured as standalone systems or may be used in conjunction with each other or with other conventional systems.

Abstract: A process of forming infusible, unidirectional fabric containing the steps of arranging a plurality of unidirectional fibers into a unidirectional fabric, forming an emulsion or suspension of a solvent, a bridging polymer, and a film-forming preventing agent, applying the emulsion or suspension to the unidirectional fabric, removing the solvent, and removing the film-forming preventing agent to form an infusible, unidirectional fabric. The infusible, unidirectional fabric contains a plurality of unidirectional fibers, a plurality of bridges, and a plurality of void spaces between the unidirectional fibers. Each bridge is connected to at least 2 unidirectional fibers and at least 70% by number of fibers have at least one bridge connected thereto forming a bridged network of unidirectional fibers. The void spaces are interconnected and the fabric has a volume fraction of voids of between about 8 and 70% and a volume fraction of fibers of between about 35 and 85.

Abstract: A wireless power line sensing device can include an external antenna port that permits connection of an external loop antenna to the wireless power line sensing device. The external loop antenna can be used in place of the integral loop antenna which can be disabled when the external loop antenna is connected. The external loop antenna can extend substantially linearly to define a non-spherical sensing field. The wireless sensing device can also include an ultracapacitor that provides power to the wireless sensing device and/or a curved solar panel that maximizes the solar input over a wide range of angles, providing power over a longer period of time compared to a flat solar panel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tensioning a wire fence are disclosed. A fence post may be provided with fence post connectors. A vertical side of a section of wire fence may be provided with a fence section terminator. The fence section terminator may include a terminator connector for connecting the fence section terminator and the fence post. An adjustable link, such as a bolt, may be used to connect the terminator connector of the fence section terminator and the fence post connectors of the fence post. The adjustable link forms a horizontally adjustable connection between the fence section terminator and the fence post that enables adjustment of the tension in the fence section.

Abstract: An infusible, unidirectional fabric containing a plurality of unidirectional fibers spaced uniformly in the unidirectional fabric, a plurality of bridges, and a plurality of void spaces between the unidirectional fibers. Each bridge is connected to at least 2 unidirectional fibers and at least 70% by number of fibers have at least one bridge connected thereto forming a bridged network of unidirectional fibers. The void spaces are interconnected and the fabric has a volume fraction of voids of between about 8 and 70%, a volume fraction of fibers of between about 35 and 85%, and at least 50% by number of the bridges have a bridge width minimum less than about 2 millimeters.

Abstract: A point bridged fiber bundle containing a bundle of unidirectional fibers and a plurality of bridges between and connected to at least a portion of adjacent fibers within the bundle of unidirectional fibers. The bridges contain a bridge forming material, have at least a first anchoring surface and a second anchoring surface where the first anchoring surface is discontinuous with the second anchoring surface. The bridges further contain a bridging surface defined as the surface area of the bridge adjacent to the void space. Between about 10 and 100% by number of fibers in a given cross-section contain bridges to one or more adjacent fibers within the point bridged fiber bundle and the anchoring surfaces of the bridges cover less than 100% of the fiber surfaces.

Abstract: A process of forming a point bridged fiber bundle containing obtaining a fiber bundle, applying an emulsion or suspension to the fiber bundle where the emulsion or dispersion contains a solvent and a bridge forming material, at least partially crosslinking or solidifing the bridge forming material, and drying the emulsion or suspension coated fiber bundle. The fiber bundle contains a bundle of unidirectional fibers comprising a plurality of fibers and void space between the fibers. The point bridged fiber bundle contains a plurality of bridges between and connected to at least a portion of adjacent fibers, where the bridges contain a bridging material, between about 10 and 100% by number of fibers in a given cross-section contain bridges to one or more adjacent fibers within the point bridged fiber bundle, and the anchoring surfaces of the bridges cover less than 100% of the fiber surfaces.