Abstract: A two-piece pole holder includes an insert and a base. The insert is embedded within soil or concrete. The base is threadingly connected to the top of the insert to form the pole holder. The insert has a solid bottom end for receiving a pole. The bottom end of the insert can also include a drain opening for allowing water to drain. The pole can be an outdoor umbrella pole or volleyball net poles. The inner diameter and height of the insert and the base are selected such that improved stability is provided to the pole such that the pole does not tip over in strong winds. The pole holder can be installed in a water feature, such as a swimming pool.

Abstract: Containment assemblies and methods for forming containment assemblies of gas turbine engines are provided. For example, a containment assembly comprises a containment case including a plurality of coated fibers. Each coated fiber comprises a fiber surrounded by a ceramic material such that the ceramic material coats the fiber. As another example, a containment assembly comprises an inner case and a containment case comprising a plurality of coated fibers. Each coated fiber comprises a fiber surrounded by a ceramic material such that the ceramic material coats the fiber. The containment case includes a greater proportion of the coated fibers at an inner surface of a layer of the containment case than at a location within the containment case that is radially outward from the inner surface. Methods for forming a containment assembly of a gas turbine engine are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for treating dielectric layers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of treating a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate supported in a process chamber includes: (a) exposing the dielectric layer to an active radical species formed in a plasma for a first period of time; (b) heating the dielectric layer to a peak temperature of about 900 degrees Celsius to about 1200 degrees Celsius; and (c) maintaining the peak temperature for a second period of time of about 1 second to about 20 seconds.

Abstract: Implementations include actions of receiving consumer-specific data and ID-specific data from an identification presented by a consumer to a vending machine, processing at least a portion of the ID-specific data to determine one or more of whether the identification is unexpired and whether the identification is authentic, and serving the consumer from the vending machine at least partially in response to determining that the identification is unexpired and that the identification is authentic and determining that the consumer is authentic relative to the identification.

Abstract: An edge device interface system and method for monitoring, recording, and calculating control and response signals generated by and between an injection molding system including an injection-molding machine and a robotic handling device. The edge device interface system of the invention includes an edge device interposed between the connector of the injection-molding machine and the connector of a robotic handling device using standardized connectors. The edge device interface system may be interposed between the connector of the injection-mailing machine and the connector of a robotic handling device to emulate the function of either device as desired.

Abstract: Dehydration and drying are some of the oldest methods of preserving food and other biological materials such as proteins and both live and dead live microorganisms or their metabolites. The invention disclosed herein seeks a method of further improving the process of preserving biological material by combining the freezing or freeze-drying process with a partial infrared dehydration step. By using infrared radiation energy to perform simultaneous blanching and dehydration, the drying speed is greatly increased and better cellular and molecular integrity is maintained. The invention herein is also particularly useful in connection with cannabis and hemp.

Abstract: An apparatus a multiple layer structure having a sub-portion defining an impact zone, and having an inner composite fiber layer, an outer composite fiber layer overlying the inner composite fiber layer, and a woven glass layer, where the inner composite fiber layer, outer composite fiber layer, and the woven glass layer overly the impact zone.

Abstract: An electrical multi-connector feedthrough panel comprising a frame configured to couple with a structure and to seal, at least in part, a penetration in the structure across a pressure differential, wherein a first pressurized environment is disposed on one side of the sealed penetration, and wherein a second pressurized environment, different than the first pressurized environment, is disposed on an opposite side of the sealed penetration a plurality of electrical connector insert shells monolithically formed with the frame, each of the plurality of electrical connector insert shells protruding from opposite sides of the frame to form a respective passage through the frame and being configured to sealingly couple with at least one electrical butt connector to thereby seal the respective passage; and an electrically conductive coating disposed on the frame and on each of the plurality of electrical connector insert shells to thereby form an electrical bonding surface.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for proving gift giving within a group. Consumers may register for a gift giving program, create a group and invite other consumers to participate. Group members may be randomly assigned to a group, or assigned to a group based on an invitation or indicated group. Relationships between gift givers and recipients within a group may be determined, such as in a randomized format. Gift givers may purchase a gift, such as a good or a promotion from a promotion and marketing service. The promotion and marketing service may assign the promotion to the recipient so that the recipient may redeem the promotion for a good, service, or experience. Promotions may be automatically purchased on behalf of a gift giver who fails to purchase the promotion by a gift-giving deadline.

Abstract: Implementations include actions of receiving consumer-specific data and ID-specific data from an identification presented by a consumer to a vending machine, processing at least a portion of the ID-specific data to determine one or more of whether the identification is unexpired and whether the identification is authentic, and serving the consumer from the vending machine at least partially in response to determining that the identification is unexpired and that the identification is authentic and determining that the consumer is authentic relative to the identification.

Abstract: Devices and methods for selectively oxidizing silicon are described herein. An apparatus for selective oxidation of exposed silicon surfaces includes a thermal processing chamber with a plurality of walls, first inlet connection and a second inlet connection, wherein the walls define a processing region within the processing chamber, a substrate support within the processing chamber, a hydrogen source connected with the first inlet connection, a heat source connected with the hydrogen source, and a remote plasma source connected with the second inlet connection and an oxygen source. A method for selective oxidation of non-metal surfaces, can include positioning a substrate in a processing chamber at a temperature less than 800° C., flowing hydrogen into the processing chamber, generating a remote plasma comprising oxygen, mixing the remote plasma with the hydrogen gas in the processing chamber to create an activated processing gas, and exposing the substrate to the activated gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a multiple layer fan casing surrounding a fan having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades rotatable about a rotational axis and having a sub-portion defining a blade impact zone, the multiple layers comprising an inner fiber layer confronting the blades, an outer fiber layer overlying the inner carbon layer, a glass layer sandwiched between the inner and outer composite fiber layers.

Abstract: A containment structure for surrounding a rotatable machine includes a double-walled inner shell having a forward end, an aft end, and a substantially cylindrical body extending therebetween. The inner shell includes an inner wall at least partially surrounding a bladed portion of the bladed rotor, and an outer portion that branches radially outward from the inner wall. The containment structure also includes a substantially cylindrical back sheet coupled to the outer portion and disposed radially outward of the inner wall.

Abstract: A device and method for automated computer controlled manufacture of assemblies composed of discrete linked product segments includes reciprocating product segment grippers having surface features engageable with the product segments, at least one robotic manipulating device whereby the product segments may be engage the product segment grippers. A fastener-insertion device is included to engage a fastener linking the product segments together, a segment container containing interchangeable product segments. The device also includes a machine vision device for verifying the identity of the selected product segment. A computer operated control mechanism with associated hardware and software operates and controls the reciprocating product segment grippers, the robotic manipulator arms, the machine vision device, and the fastener-insertion device.

Abstract: A turbine engine that includes an engine casing including a shell and an angel wing member. The angel wing member includes a base defined at the shell and a tip positioned distal from the base. The turbine engine also includes a backsheet extending over the angel wing member such that an angled region is defined in the backsheet at an interface with the tip. The tip has a predetermined contour capable of mitigating stress concentrations in the angled region induced from said tip.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for proving gift giving within a group. Consumers may register for a gift giving program, create a group and invite other consumers to participate. Group members may be randomly assigned to a group, or assigned to a group based on an invitation or indicated group. Relationships between gift givers and recipients within a group may be determined, such as in a randomized format. Gift givers may purchase a gift, such as a good or a promotion from a promotion and marketing service. The promotion and marketing service may assign the promotion to the recipient so that the recipient may redeem the promotion for a good, service, or experience. Promotions may be automatically purchased on behalf of a gift giver who fails to purchase the promotion by a gift-giving deadline.

Abstract: An electrical multi-connector feedthrough panel comprising a frame configured to couple with a structure and to seal, at least in part, a penetration in the structure across a pressure differential, wherein a first pressurized environment is disposed on one side of the sealed penetration, and wherein a second pressurized environment, different than the first pressurized environment, is disposed on an opposite side of the sealed penetration a plurality of electrical connector insert shells monolithically formed with the frame, each of the plurality of electrical connector insert shells protruding from opposite sides of the frame to form a respective passage through the frame and being configured to sealingly couple with at least one electrical butt connector to thereby seal the respective passage; and an electrically conductive coating disposed on the frame and on each of the plurality of electrical connector insert shells to thereby form an electrical bonding surface.

Abstract: Walls of gas turbine engine casings, fan cases, and methods for forming walls, e.g., fan case walls, are provided. For example, a wall comprises a plurality of composite plies arranged in a ply layup. The wall is annular and circumferentially segmented into a plurality of regions that include at least one first region and at least one second region. The ply layup in the first and second regions is different such that the ply layup is non-axisymmetric. An exemplary fan case comprises an annular inner shell, a filler layer, an annular back sheet, and an annular outer layer. The back sheet is circumferentially segmented into a plurality of regions, including at least one first region and at least one second region, and comprises a plurality of composite plies arranged in a ply layup that is different in the first and second regions such that the ply layup is non-axisymmetric.