Abstract: A heat exchanger, for example a shell and tube flooded evaporator, has a refrigerant distributor that is positioned at an angle between the bottom of the shell and the sides of the shell, and includes an inlet that is welded to an inlet piping, where the inlet and inlet piping are in fluid communication with the refrigerant distributor, and are in a generally corresponding position orientation. Tubes of a tube bundles may extend proximate the bottom of the shell.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive weather data including a plurality of measured data points in an area around a vehicle, from a remote weather server. The processor is also configured to receive a path from a vehicle subsystem. The processor is further configured to combine the data points and path to form a predictive model reflecting expected weather conditions along the path at future times, the model based on predefined parameters defining expected weather behavior and send the model to a requesting vehicle subsystem.

Abstract: An apparatus that moves stimulus data and response data between a memory and a device under test (DUT) over a plurality of data transfer banks. In a first mode the data transfer banks output the stimulus data to the DUT as respective independent banks of serial stimulus data channels, and write the response data into the memory responsive to data provided as respective independent banks of channels of serial data from the DUT. In a second mode the data transfer banks output the stimulus data to the DUT as a single bank of combined serial stimulus data channels, and write the response data into the memory responsive to the data provided as a combined single bank of channels of serial data from the DUT.

Abstract: A system and method are described for generating hybrid lottery tickets. The hybrid lottery tickets comprise both an instant win portion and a draw portion. The instant win portion provides the opportunity to win a prize at the time of purchase while the draw portion provides the opportunity to win a prize based on a subsequently occurring draw. The instant win portion is generated based on the draw portion, allowing the hybrid lottery ticket to be generated at the time of purchase.

Abstract: A method of operating a device includes sending to a server system a request for data relating to a particular number of elements in the vicinity of a location of the device, receiving a response with data relating to a set of elements, the data including data specifying a location associated with each of the elements, causing a user interface to provide an output representing data related to one or more of the elements, wherein the configuration of the output is dependent upon the location of the elements relative to the location of the device, and in response to a change in the location of the device, updating the output using the data in the response. A device is shown carrying out the method as well as a system including the device and a server.

Abstract: A weight bearing fall protection connector includes a first connection member configured to attach the connector to a piece of fall protection equipment, and a second connection member configured to attach the connector to another piece of all equipment, with the connection members fixed to each other to transfer the weight of a worker in a fall event and for movement relative to each other between a ready position and a fall position. The connector further includes a breakable component having a retaining condition wherein the component maintains the members in a ready position and broken condition wherein the component allows the members to move to their fall position. The connector further includes a wireless fall indicator including a wireless transmitter and a switch configured to activate the wireless transmitter in response to movement of the members from the ready position to the fall position.

Abstract: A fence post assembly including a wood post member (having a longitudinal axis, a first end surface, and a second end surface) and an elongated metal insert (having an insert longitudinal axis, a first end surface, and a second end surface), where the metal insert is positioned within the wood post member, with the first end surface of the metal insert at least substantially aligned with the first end surface of the wood post member, and the insert longitudinal axis at least substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the wood post member. Typically, the metal insert is longitudinally shorter than the wood post member so that the metal insert does not extend into an end portion of the fence post assembly, allowing the end portion to be conveniently trimmed off or otherwise processed, e.g., during or after installation. Other aspects are methods for manufacturing or installing any embodiment of the fence post assembly.

Abstract: Techniques for product-stacking and case-packing are particularly adapted for product that is packaged in envelopes or flexibly-sided containers. Such products include may different types, such as foodstuffs, books, boxed goods, etc. In an example, a product-stacking and case-packing system may include a product-stacking assembly and a case-packing assembly. In the example, the product-stacking assembly may be configured with a plurality of pairs of flights, each pair of flights programmed to move according to operation of an associated pair servo motors, and programmed to receive and down-stack incoming product items into groups. In the example, the case-packing assembly may include a robotic arm and end-of-arm tool configured to grasp one or more groups of stacked product items, when pushed from the product-stacking assembly, and place each group of stacked product items in a case (e.g., a cardboard box).

Abstract: A route examining system includes first and second detection units and an identification unit. The first and second detection units are configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle system traveling along a route having plural conductive tracks. The first and second detection units are disposed at spaced apart locations along a length of the vehicle system. The first and second detection units are configured to monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the conductive tracks in response to an examination signal being electrically injected into at least one of the conductive tracks. The identification unit includes one or more processors configured to determine that a section of the route includes an electrical short responsive to the one or more electrical characteristics monitored by the first and second detection units indicating that the examination signal is received by only one of the first and second detection units.

Abstract: A marking device for attaching to a tape measure includes an attachment assembly for movably attaching the marking device to a tape measure and a guide housing movably engageable with the attachment assembly. The guide housing receives a marking member and a marking fluid storage member and directs movement of the marking member from a first position contacting the marking fluid storage member to a second position contacting an object to be marked. A compartment receives the guide housing, which directs movement of the marking member from the second position to the first position. At least one aperture enables contact of the marking member with an object to be marked. An energy storage member moves the guide housing and marking member from the first position to the second position. The guide housing may include a gear mechanism that moves the marking member from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition in various regions within a foam dispensing apparatus. In various embodiments, the foam dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing nozzle positioned between at least two container-forming layers and configured to dispense foam forming composition into a container interior formed by the container-forming layers. The sensing apparatus may be positioned external to the container interior, on an opposite side of a container-forming layer relative to the nozzle, and the sensing apparatus may be configured to detect whether foam forming composition is present within a field of view of the sensing apparatus, which encompasses a portion of the container interior. The sensing apparatus may comprise a contactless temperature sensor configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition based on the detected temperature of a surface within the field of view of the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A component of an electrical machine is disclosed. The component includes a core including a plurality of slots, a magnetic field-generating component disposed in at least one slot of the plurality of slots, and a heat dissipating element disposed in a slot of the plurality of slots, in contact with the magnetic field-generating component. The heat dissipating element includes a thermally conductive material having an in-plane thermal conductivity higher than a through-plane thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods are provided for storing configuration settings for services, and providing values for those configuration settings to services upon request. A configuration setting server system (CSSS) can receive properties files from different services, can extract configuration settings from each of the properties file received, can then determine an appropriate level within a hierarchy of the configuration settings that each configuration setting is to be assigned to, and then write each of the configuration settings to the appropriate level to generate a hierarchical configuration setting structure (HCSS) that is stored in a database such that all configuration settings for each of the services of the cloud infrastructure are stored in a hierarchal configuration.

Abstract: A system (1) includes a plurality of mobile devices (21 . . . 2N) connectable to a server system (3) via a network system (4), one or more computing devices (5) connectable to the server system (3). The system (1) also includes a global navigation satellite system (36) and a plurality of transmitters (371 . . . 37N?). For example, the system can be for providing location-based and/or social networking services to users of the mobile devices (21 . . . 2N). Improvements in aspects of the underlying technology are described.

Abstract: Flight and indexing assemblies for automated packaging systems provide better product spacing for faster and more reliable automation. In an example, a plurality of flights may include a plate- or sheet-like body with a perpendicular flange extending from an upper portion of the flight. Two adjacent flanges contain a pouch or other product to be packaged in a case. A flange constrains an upper portion of each pouch to a confined and predetermined area, thereby aiding grippers of an end-of-arm tool to grasp the pouches. A flight and product indexing assembly is configured to control spacing between adjacent flights, and to position pouches constrained between adjacent flights, so that flights position product at predetermined locations for gripping by the end-of-arm tool.

Abstract: A route examining system includes first and second detection units and an identification unit. The first and second detection units are configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle system traveling along a route having plural conductive tracks. The first and second detection units are disposed at spaced apart locations along a length of the vehicle system. The first and second detection units are configured to monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the conductive tracks in response to an examination signal being electrically injected into at least one of the conductive tracks. The identification unit includes one or more processors configured to determine that a section of the route includes an electrical short responsive to the one or more electrical characteristics monitored by the first and second detection units indicating that the examination signal is received by only one of the first and second detection units.

Abstract: A fire-starter device for survival, emergency, or convenience that incorporates a paper cup portion filled with wax with one (1) or more wicks embedded in the hardened wax with tinder material comprising the top layer. The paper cup is designed and built to allow it to hold hot liquid wax without leaking. The wax is paraffin and/or beeswax and/or other blend. The wicks are of jute or similar material. The tinder is made of fatwood shavings or similar combustible.

Abstract: A computing device in a vehicle can be programmed to determine a virtual steerable path polynomial including a lane change maneuver, update the virtual steerable path polynomial by controlling a vehicle trajectory, and, pilot the vehicle based on the virtual steerable path polynomial. The computer further programmed to determine the virtual steerable path polynomial based on the vehicle trajectory.

Abstract: A fishing hook assembly that is either self-setting or initiated upon the fisherman setting the hook. A torsion spring placed at the head of the assembly which is interconnected by two shafts that are terminated by hooks. The hooks used on the first shaft termination can consist of a single hook, treble hook, or jig hook. The first shaft also consists of a latch placed at the end of the selected hook before the hook bend. The shafts are bent outward at 15 to 30 degrees at the torsion spring to allow closer proximity when compressed. The second shaft terminates with a single hook element and is the shaft where the release element is slide onto the shaft adjacent to the latch. The release element has a connection point where the fishing line is directly connected to the release element. The torsion spring is compressed bringing the first and second shafts together with the release element on the second shaft slide onto the latch located at the hook bend on the first shaft.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, for example a shell and tube flooded evaporator, has a refrigerant distributor that is positioned at an angle between the bottom of the shell and the sides of the shell, and includes an inlet that is welded to an inlet piping, where the inlet and inlet piping are in fluid communication with the refrigerant distributor, and are in a generally corresponding position orientation. Tubes of a tube bundles may extend proximate the bottom of the shell.