Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for efficient harvesting of fruit or nuts. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that mitigates damage to fruits or nuts deposited on the ground after harvesting from the tree. The two-piece harvester may include a shaker configured to shake a tree and cause the fruits or nuts to fall and a receiver configured to collect the fallen fruits or nuts and deposit the fruits or nuts on the ground or in bins. The shaker and the receiver may each include cabs that are configured to be positioned in a plurality of different positions. The shaker may include a wheel that is extendible between a retract position and an extended position. The receiver may include chute that is configured to deposit the fruits or nuts in different locations based on the direction of travel of the receiver.

Abstract: Systems, device, and methods for harvesting fruits or nuts are disclosed. Some fruits or nuts grow on trees, such as almonds. A two-piece harvester is disclosed that mitigates damage to fruits or nuts deposited on the ground after harvesting from the tree. The two-piece harvester may include a shaker configured to shake a tree and cause the fruits or nuts to fall and a receiver configured to collect the fallen fruits or nuts and deposit the fruits or nuts on the ground or in bins. The shaker and the receiver may include cabs that is configured to be in a plurality of different positions. The shaker may also include a wheel that is extendible between a retract position and an extended position. The receiver may also include chute that is configured to deposit the fruits or nuts in different locations based on the direction of travel of the receiver.

Abstract: A quick release illumination flare mounting arrangement particularly adapted for use in an aircraft. Includes a base plate mounted to the aircraft's deck, and an aperture in sealed contact with an upper end of a flare discharge tube coupled to a discharge aperture in the fuselage. A coupling assembly which includes a second aperture is easily coupled to and removed from the base plate by coupling pins. The coupling assembly further includes an upper plate adapted for secure, sealed, easily removable mounting to the lower end of a flare receiving tube.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include methods of assembling structures, such as nanostructures, at predetermined locations on a substrate. A voltage between spaced-apart electrodes supported by substrate attracts the structures to the substrate, and positional registration can be provided the substrate using topographic features such as wells. Examples of the present invention also include devices, such as electronic and optoelectronic devices, prepared by such methods.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include methods of assembling structures, such as nanostructures, at predetermined locations on a substrate. A voltage between spaced-apart electrodes supported by substrate attracts the structures to the substrate, and positional registration can be provided the substrate using topographic features such as wells. Examples of the present invention also include devices, such as electronic and optoelectronic devices, prepared by such methods.

Abstract: A gas energy meter that acquires the data and performs the processing for an inferential determination of one or more gas properties, such as heating value, molecular weight, or density. The meter has a sensor module that acquires temperature, pressure, CO2, and speed of sound data. Data is acquired at two different states of the gas, which eliminates the need to determine the concentration of nitrogen in the gas. A processing module receives this data and uses it to perform a “two- state” inferential algorithm.

Abstract: Methods for inferentially determining various properties of a gas mixture, when the speed of sound in the gas is known at an arbitrary temperature and pressure. The method can be applied to natural gas mixtures, where the known parameters are the sound speed, temperature, pressure, and concentrations of any dilute components of the gas. The method uses a set of reference gases and their calculated density and speed of sound values to estimate the density of the subject gas. Additional calculations can be made to estimate the molecular weight of the subject gas, which can then be used as the basis for heating value calculations. The method may also be applied to inferentially determine density and molecular weight for gas mixtures other than natural gases.

Abstract: The present invention applies the leading edge of a closure tab to the top surface of an article traveling through the apparatus at a constant speed and positioned at precise intervals by lugs on a conveyor belt, bends the closure tab around the trailing surface using a blast of air, engages and accelerates the closure tab forwardly with respect to the article to press the closure tab on the bottom surface of the article with an inclined bottom belt located underneath the article and traveling at a greater rate of speed then the article itself, squeezes the article with two nonparallel belts located laterally at the position of contact with the closure tab to press the closure tab to the top and bottom surfaces of the article for closure.

Abstract: A new method is described that allows determination of the degree of molecular dissociation based on continuous, radio frequency (rf) and microwave driven discharges based on electrostatic probe and emission spectroscopy measurements only. Using this method costly laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIF) can be avoided. The method described is particularly applicable to hydrogen plasmas characterized by non-thermal electron energy distribution functions which are of great practical importance. A compact combined fiber optic/electrostatic probe facilitating the required measurements is described.

Abstract: The assembly includes an injection device which includes a housing having an ampule-receiving chamber, a gas charge, and means for delivering a predetermined amount of gas to the ampule-receiving chamber. The device includes an injection-counting ring which is received in a groove extending about the housing wherein the ring includes a counting mechanism thereon and is constructed to allow one-way only rotation thereof relative to the housing. The patient-fillable ampule of the invention includes an ampule body having a plunger end and an orifice end, a medication retaining cavity and an elongate plunger which is received in one end of the cavity. An orifice-bearing end cap is fixed to the orifice end of the body. A truncated hypodermic needle is received in the end cap. A removable needle is provided for filling the ampule and allows use of the ampule as a conventional syringe.

Abstract: A non-invasive hypodermic injection device includes a two-stage gas delivery system and a medication containing ampule having a truncated hypodermic needle at one end thereof. An ampule shroud encloses the ampule and maintains separation between the truncated hypodermic needle on the ampule and the skin of a patient being injected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure-operated hypodermic injection apparatus which is particularly suitable for needleless operation. The apparatus includes an elongate shell having an inwardly facing wall with a uniform configuration along a defined length thereof, with the shell further defining a discharge aperture adjacent one end thereof. It further includes a plunger which is slideably disposed within the defined length of the shell, and which is shiftable between a ready position and a spent position, with the spent position being closer to the aperture than the ready position. With the plunger in its ready position, the shell and plunger collectively define an ampule chamber which is capable of containing a dischargeable medication. A pressurized-gas cartridge is mounted to the plunger to shift therewith, and has gas-releasing means which faces away from the discharge aperture. A body is further included which is sealingly and releasably joined to the other end of the shell.