Abstract: A control system configured for safe input, visualization and/or communication for controlling a machine, includes a display device configured to display at least one symbol, an optical input device configured to detect, from the display device, at least a portion of the symbol, a redundant communication system configured to send the symbol, and a control unit configured to send the symbol and a test sequence to the display device, receive the symbol and the test sequence from the display device, test at least the test sequence, and, if the check sequence is correctly received, generate a redundant encoding of the symbol and send the redundantly encoded symbol over a redundant network.

Abstract: A system and a method for safety relevant input to a control system, the control system including a PLC which includes a non-safety control module for controlling non-safety processes, and a safety control module for controlling functional safety of processes, the system further including an operator panel for user selection of safety-related object input, wherein the system includes two communication paths between the operator panel and the safety control module, that each of the communication paths uses a different communication protocol, that each communication path goes through the non-safety control module to and from the safety control module, that the first communication path transfers object code and the second communication path transfers masked object code.

Abstract: Improvements in biological conversion processes and associated apparatuses are disclosed for the generation of useful end products such as ethanol, through metabolic pathways of C1-fixing bacteria that utilize, as a nutrient, a C1-carbon source from a C1-containing substrate such as an industrial waste gas. Particular aspects of the disclosure relate to the downstream recovery of ethanol and/or isopropanol from bleed and permeate streams and more particularly to performing such recovery with improved efficiency that can advantageously reduce capital (e.g., equipment) and/or operating (e.g., utility) costs.

Abstract: In a lens hood for a camera on an inner face of a motor vehicle glass and having a floor in which a flat heating element is embedded. Opposite faces of the heating element are parallel with an upper and/or lower face of the floor, and the lens hood is made by plastic injection molding. Both an upper and a lower face of the flat heating element embedded in the floor are covered by respective upper and lower layers of the plastic, and a spacer holds the flat heating element in a centered position between the upper and lower faces of the floor.

Abstract: A system and a method for safety relevant input to a control system, the control system including a PLC which includes a non-safety control module for controlling non-safety processes, and a safety control module for controlling functional safety of processes, the system further including an operator panel for user selection of safety-related object input, wherein the system includes two communication paths between the operator panel and the safety control module, that each of the communication paths uses a different communication protocol, that each communication path goes through the non-safety control module to and from the safety control module, that the first communication path transfers object code and the second communication path transfers masked object code.

Abstract: Improvements in biological conversion processes and associated apparatuses are disclosed for the generation of useful end products such as ethanol, through metabolic pathways of C1-fixing bacteria that utilize, as a nutrient, a C1-carbon source from a C1-containing substrate such as an industrial waste gas. Particular aspects of the disclosure relate to the downstream recovery of ethanol and/or isopropanol from bleed and permeate streams and more particularly to performing such recovery with improved efficiency that can advantageously reduce capital (e.g., equipment) and/or operating (e.g., utility) costs.

Abstract: A loading device includes a feeder having a cutout and a sensor. When a sensor detects that an item is positioned in the cutout, a motor slides the feeder out of a first component to remove the item from the first component for delivery to a second component. Alternatively, the loading device is a pivotal arm which pivots to slide the item out of the first component.

Abstract: An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.

Abstract: An automated freezer stores food items stacked in a removable cartridge. The food items are dispensed from the automated freezer in response to a request for the food items. The food items are loaded into the cartridge outside of the automated freezer. When the cartridge is inserted into the automated freezer, the upper end of the cartridge is inserted into a buffer, pushing a plurality of arms in the buffer upwardly to allow food items to pass through the buffer. When the cartridge is removed from the freezer for reloading of food items, a resilient member biases the arms downwardly to retain any food items in the buffer and to prevent any food items in the buffer from falling.

Abstract: A vertical grilling component includes two grilling structures separated by a gap. Each grilling structure includes a heating component and a conveyor belt positioned around the heating components. The upper portion of one of the grilling structures is beveled approximately 0.8°. The grilling structures are slidable relative to the frame of the grilling component for cleaning, and the heating components are also removable from the grilling structures. The gap between the grilling structures is adjustable between two distances. The conveyor belts include a v-belt received in a groove of the pulleys to prevent lateral movement of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belts also include an edge seal around the outer edge of the conveyor belt. After grilling, seasoning is dispensed onto the grilled food item when detected by a sensor.

Abstract: A vertical grilling component includes two grilling structures separated by a gap. Each grilling structure includes a heating component and a conveyor belt positioned around the heating components. The upper portion of one of the grilling structures is beveled approximately 0.8°. The grilling structures are slidable relative to the frame of the grilling component for cleaning, and the heating components are also removable from the grilling structures. The gap between the grilling structures is adjustable between two distances. The conveyor belts include a v-belt received in a groove of the pulleys to prevent lateral movement of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belts also include an edge seal around the outer edge of the conveyor belt. After grilling, seasoning is dispensed onto the grilled food item when detected by a sensor.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly includes a conveyor belt to move an item, a drive pulley driven by a motor and a non-drive pulley. The conveyor belt includes a v-belt on the inner surface of the conveyor belt proximate to both of the edges. Each v-belt is received in a groove in the drive pulley and the non-drive pulley. The engagement of the v-belts in the grooves prevent lateral movement of the conveyor belt during use. The conveyor belt also includes an edge seal positioned around both the opposing edges of the conveyor belt. Alternately, the conveyor belt assembly includes two conveyor belts assemblies pressed together and separated by a gap.

Abstract: An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.

Abstract: A grilling component includes a pair of grilling structures supported at an oblique angle from the vertical. Each grilling structure includes a heater and a moveable conveyor belt positioned around the heater. As the food travels on the conveyor belts between the heaters, the food is cooked. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar™. A lateral sensor positioned proximate to an edge of each of the conveyor belts detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling structures, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.

Abstract: A loading device includes a feeder having a cutout and a sensor. When a sensor detects that an item is positioned in the cutout, a motor slides the feeder out of a first component to remove the item from the first component for delivery to a second component. Alternatively, the loading device is a pivotal arm which pivots to slide the item out of the first component.

Abstract: An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.

Abstract: A grilling component includes a pair of grilling structures supported at an oblique angle from the vertical. Each grilling structure includes a heater and a moveable conveyor belt positioned around the heater. As the food travels on the conveyor belts between the heaters, the food is cooked. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar™. A lateral sensor positioned proximate to an edge of each of the conveyor belts detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling structures, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.