Abstract: Described herein is an autonomous fluid spill containment device for a pipeline having a carrier conduit for transporting a fluid and a containment conduit located around the carrier conduit to define an interstitial space for receiving fluid spilled from the carrier conduit. The device comprises a spilled fluid barrier for stopping spilled fluid flow. The fluid barrier is located in the interstitial space and extending between the carrier conduit and the containment conduit. A spilled fluid sensor is located in the interstitial space to detect spilled fluid flowing in the containment conduit. A network monitor that interfaces for communicating with an operator's data collection, analysis and reporting systems. A sensor network is connected to the fluid sensor for communicating spilled fluid sensor and location data from the sensor to the network monitor so as to alert the operator to the location of the spilled fluid in real time.

Abstract: Described herein is an autonomous fluid spill containment device for a pipeline which has a carrier conduit for transporting a fluid and a containment conduit located around the carrier conduit to define an interstitial space for receiving fluid spilled from the carrier conduit. The device includes a spilled fluid barrier for stopping spilled fluid flow. The fluid barrier is located in the interstitial space and extending between the carrier conduit and the containment conduit. A cable sensor is associated with the containment conduit for detecting spilled fluid flowing in the containment conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous solar panel for use in winter conditions. The panel includes at least one energy transfer member associated with the solar panel. A sensor is in communication with the energy transfer member. A power supply is connected to the energy transfer member. A network interconnects the energy transfer member, the sensor, and the power supply, and is configured so that when the sensor senses an accumulation of winter precipitation on the solar panel, a portion of stored power in the power supply activates the energy transfer member and the winter precipitation is removed from the solar panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance for the food product to pass.

Abstract: Described herein is a sensor for sensing reflective material. The sensor includes a housing with a transparent window and a sensor mount located in the housing and angled away from a housing wall. A radiation emitter is mounted in the sensor mount and emits radiation along an axis through the transparent window which has an amount of the reflective material located thereon. A radiation detector is mounted in the sensor mount and located adjacent the radiation emitter. The radiation detector is located to receive reflected radiation from the reflective material along another axis. The first axis is angled towards the second axis.

Abstract: Described herein is an autonomous fluid spill containment device for a pipeline having a carrier conduit for transporting a fluid and a containment conduit located around the carrier conduit to define an interstitial space for receiving fluid spilled from the carrier conduit. The device includes a spilled fluid barrier for stopping spilled fluid flow, which is located in the interstitial space and extends between the carrier conduit and the containment conduit. An acoustic sensor is located in the interstitial space for detecting spilled fluid flowing in the containment conduit, or in the carrier conduit for detecting fluid flow reduction.

Abstract: Described herein is an autonomous fluid spill containment device for a pipeline having a carrier conduit for transporting a fluid and a containment conduit located around the carrier conduit to define an interstitial space for receiving fluid spilled from the carrier conduit. The device comprises a spilled fluid barrier for stopping spilled fluid flow. The fluid barrier is located in the interstitial space and extending between the carrier conduit and the containment conduit. A spilled fluid sensor is located in the interstitial space to detect spilled fluid flowing in the containment conduit. A network monitor that interfaces for communicating with an operator's data collection, analysis and reporting systems. A sensor network is connected to the fluid sensor for communicating spilled fluid sensor and location data from the sensor to the network monitor so as to alert the operator to the location of the spilled fluid in real time.

Abstract: Described herein is a rain intensity sensor. The sensor includes a circuit, which includes a resistor and at least two spaced apart electrically conductive strips electrically connected in series to the resistor. The resistor is located between the conductive strips. The conductive strips are sufficiently spaced apart such that when a raindrop contacts with the conductive strips provides a resistive path therebetween and which is electrically parallel with the resistor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous solar panel for use in winter conditions. The panel includes at least one energy transfer member associated with the solar panel. A sensor is in communication with the energy transfer member. A power supply is connected to the energy transfer member. A network interconnects the energy transfer member, the sensor, and the power supply, and is configured so that when the sensor senses an accumulation of winter precipitation on the solar panel, a portion of stored power in the power supply activates the energy transfer member and the winter precipitation is removed from the solar panel.

Abstract: Described herein is a sensor for sensing reflective material. The sensor includes a housing with a transparent window and a sensor mount located in the housing and angled away from a housing wall. A radiation emitter is mounted in the sensor mount and emits radiation along an axis through the transparent window which has an amount of the reflective material located thereon. A radiation detector is mounted in the sensor mount and located adjacent the radiation emitter. The radiation detector is located to receive reflected radiation from the reflective material along another axis. The first axis is angled towards the second axis.

Abstract: Described herein is a cleaning device for a flat solar panel or a trough reflector panel. The device comprises a cleaning member with a sweeper portion and a scraper portion. The cleaning member is mounted for unidirectional and bidirectional movement over the flat panel or the reflector panel. A rocker bar is connected to the sweeper portion and the scraper portion to rockingly move either the sweeper portion or the scraper portion into contact with the flat panel or the reflector panel as the cleaning member moves over the flat panel or the reflector panel.

Abstract: Described herein is a rain intensity sensor. The sensor includes a circuit, which includes a resistor and at least two spaced apart electrically conductive strips electrically connected in series to the resistor. The resistor is located between the conductive strips. The conductive strips are sufficiently spaced apart such that when a raindrop contacts with the conductive strips provides a resistive path therebetween and which is electrically parallel with the resistor.

Abstract: Described herein is an autonomous cleaning device for a solar panel. The device includes a cleaning member mounted for unidirectional movement or bidirectional movement over the solar panel. The cleaning member has a first cleaning portion for cleaning the solar panel as the cleaning member moves in one direction and a second cleaning portion for cleaning the solar panel as the cleaning member moves in the other direction. The cleaning portions are respectively brought into contact with the solar panel by axial rotation of the cleaning member about a restricted path of travel.

Abstract: A conveyor system for assembling and stacking sliced food products is provided. The conveyor system includes an assembly area, wherein groups of a predetermined quantity of sliced food products travel from a slicer on a conveyor and are deposited on discrete carrier sheets on a downstream conveyor. The assembly area is configured to delay advancement of the carrier sheets on the downstream conveyor until a group of the predetermined quantity is formed. The slicer is configured to calculate the number of slices in each group and determine whether a group is complete. A stacking area of the conveyor system includes a nose conveyor that extends and retracts to deposit each carrier sheet onto a pair of initial supports. The initial supports reciprocate away from each other in opposing directions to drop the carrier sheet onto a subsequent level, with the initial supports reciprocating each time a carrier sheet is deposited thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a stack of food products in a storage container, and a method therefor. The apparatus comprises a first gate moveable between an open and a closed position that drops a row of food products onto a second gate moveable between an open and a closed position. The second gate receives multiple rows of food products and once a predetermined number of rows have been received, the second gate opens to release the rows of food products into the storage container below it. As the first gate shifts from the open to the closed position, it can advance, at least in part, a subsequent row of food products onto the first gate for later release onto the second gate. The area defined by the second gate and the first gate is a temporary staging area which can increase in height after receiving subsequent rows of food products.

Abstract: A conveyor system for assembling and stacking sliced food products is provided. The conveyor system includes an assembly area, wherein groups of a predetermined quantity of sliced food products travel from a slicer on a conveyor and are deposited on discrete carrier sheets on a downstream conveyor. The assembly area is configured to delay advancement of the carrier sheets on the downstream conveyor until a group of the predetermined quantity is formed. The slicer is configured to calculate the number of slices in each group and determine whether a group is complete. A stacking area of the conveyor system includes a nose conveyor that extends and retracts to deposit each carrier sheet onto a pair of initial supports. The initial supports reciprocate away from each other in opposing directions to drop the carrier sheet onto a subsequent level, with the initial supports reciprocating each time a carrier sheet is deposited thereon.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for scheduling a recurring event are disclosed. When a calendar application receives an invitation from an organizer to an invite, the calendar application expands the recurring event into a plurality of occurrences, and detects any scheduling conflicts that can be caused by each of the plurality of occurrences. The calendar application notifies the invitee of the detected scheduling conflicts before the invitee makes a decision regarding the invitation. An invitee is provided an opportunity to accept only the non-conflicting occurrences of the recurring event. If the invitee chooses to accept only the non-conflicting occurrences, the invitee is given opportunities to respond to each of the conflicting occurrences separately. The organizer is notified of the invitee's responses regarding the non-conflicting occurrences and the conflicting occurrences.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for handling food products whereby stacked food products can be mechanically singulated or singulated product not on pitch can be dispensed individually at a regular pitch onto transport system carrying the food products to a subsequent process unit or units in an automated and essentially labor-free manner. The automated handling system may be used advantageously on stacks of pizza crusts, among other food product types.

Abstract: An attachment for a rotary cutting tool includes a first member for selectively coupling the attachment to a rotary cutting tool at a first location and a second member for selectively coupling the attachment to the rotary cutting tool at a second location. The attachment also includes a body extending between the first member and the second member and a handle extending from the body at a location between the first member and the second member and oriented substantially perpendicular to the body. The body is arranged between the handle and the rotary cutting tool when the attachment is coupled to the rotary cutting too. The attachment also includes a shaft extending from within the body and a base coupled to shaft and configured for contacting a workpiece when the rotary cutting tool is forming cuts in the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a stack of food products in a storage container, and a method therefor. The apparatus comprises a first gate moveable between an open and a closed position that drops a row of food products onto a second gate moveable between an open and a closed position. The second gate receives multiple rows of food products and once a predetermined number of rows have been received, the second gate opens to release the rows of food products into the storage container below it. As the first gate shifts from the open to the closed position, it can advance, at least in part, a subsequent row of food products onto the first gate for later release onto the second gate. The area defined by the second gate and the first gate is a temporary staging area which can increase in height after receiving subsequent rows of food products.