Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the cooling members located beneath fiberizing bushings is disclosed having the capability of moving each cooling member, or one portion of each cooling member, in a generally vertical direction, and/or in a lateral and/or tilting direction. Also disclosed is a process of using the apparatus to make fibers from molten material including molten glass.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the cooling members located beneath fiberizing bushings is disclosed having the capability of moving each cooling member, or one portion of each cooling member, in a generally vertical direction, and/or in a lateral and/or tilting direction. Also disclosed is a process of using the apparatus to make fibers from molten material including molten glass.

Abstract: A position determining system for a vehicle comprises an imaging unit for collecting image data. A wireless device reads or interrogates a radio frequency identification tag. An identification module determines whether the collected image data contains a visual landmark. A confirmation module determines whether the identified visual landmark is associated with a corresponding radio frequency identification tag having a particular tag identifier. A range finder or distance estimator determines a position offset of the vehicle with respect to the identified visual landmark. A data processor determines a vehicular position of the vehicle based on the determined position offset and a stored reference position associated with at least one of the visual landmark and the radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: Crop information related to a particular crop is collected and stored in data storage during the performance of an agricultural operation. A harvested particular crop is segregated from all other genetically distinct crops by storing the particular harvested crops in one or more segregated storage volumes for storing the particular crop. Each segregated storage volume has a corresponding storage identifier. An electronically accessible data profile, associated with the particular crop, is provided or made available to a user. The data profile includes the collected crop information.

Abstract: Initial data is acquired on an agricultural product associated with a harvesting time. The acquired initial data is transmitted (e.g., handed off) via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to an intermediate data processing system associated with a handler of the agricultural product. Additional data is appended to the acquired initial data received at the intermediate data processing system to form composite data. The composite data is transmitted via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to at least one of a receiver and a data processing system for processing or storing the composite data. The composite data is transferred to or made available to a data management system, which may be accessible to one or more users who seek access to at least one of the initial data, the additional data, and the composite data on the agricultural product or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Methods for substantially improving the stability of a melting furnace system including bushings and cooling apparatus for converting molten mineral material to continuous fibers is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for maintaining the molten material throughput and the electrical power load on fiberizing bushings substantially constant are disclosed. The orifice plate, with or without tips or nozzles, is subjected to a more rapid rate of heat removal after the bushing breaks out than it did while the bushing was in a desired fiberizing mode. Apparatus for blowing cooling air upward onto the orifice plate during the time the bushing is breaking out and/or hanging to provide additional cooling is disclosed along with optional additional or alternative apparatus to use for optional additional or alternative cooling is also disclosed.

Abstract: Game apparatus for playing a baseball-like and golf-like game to be played on a golf course or a sports field or yard with rules of play for golf courses and sports fields or yards. The game apparatus includes a unitary bat-putter that resembles a baseball bat but has a flat surface at at least one end of the bat-putter, to be used to putt a ball. The game apparatus for sports field or yard play includes a targets including flagsticks inserted through stackable above ground target bodies set in advance of play on a sports field or yard to create a course of play.

Abstract: Methods for substantially improving the stability of a melting furnace system including bushings and cooling apparatus for converting molten mineral material to continuous fibers is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for maintaining the molten material throughput and the electrical power load on fiberizing bushings substantially constant are disclosed. The orifice plate, with or without tips or nozzles, is subjected to a more rapid rate of heat removal after the bushing breaks out than it did while the bushing was in a desired fiberizing mode. Apparatus for blowing cooling air upward onto the orifice plate during the time the bushing is breaking out and/or hanging to provide additional cooling is disclosed along with optional additional or alternative apparatus to use for optional additional or alternative cooling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A headwear-mountable situational awareness unit is disclosed. The unit includes a thermal imaging camera rotatably connected to a mounting portion, the mounting portion connectable to a front portion of protective headgear. The unit further includes a heads-up display pivotally connected to the mounting portion, the heads-up display portion arranged to pivot between a mounted position and a handheld position and configured to display information captured by the thermal imaging camera.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating a mobile robot comprise a range finder for collecting range data of one or more objects in an environment around the robot. A discriminator identifies uniquely identifiable ones of the objects as navigation landmarks. A data storage device stores a reference map of the navigation landmarks based on the collected range data. A data processor establishes a list or sequence of way points for the robot to visit. Each way point is defined with reference to one or more landmarks. A reader reads an optical message at or near one or more way points. A task manager manages a task based on the read optical message.

Abstract: A marking device is disclosed. The marking device includes a marker housing. The marker housing includes an attachment portion configured to pivotally attach the marker housing to a pole. The marker housing also includes a translucent portion formed around at least a portion of the housing. The marker housing also includes an environmental seal. The marking device includes an electrical light positioned within the marker housing and oriented toward the translucent portion, and a programmable circuit configured to activate the electrical light in one or more marking flashing patterns. The environmental seal protects the electrical light and programmable circuit from external environmental conditions. Optionally, the device can clip to a marker such as a flag to indicate the existence of a hazardous condition.

Abstract: A method and system for designing, storing, and executing workflows for laboratory processes have been disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises executing a workflow. The workflow includes a process activity, a system activity, and a flow control activity. A first user interface is adapted to collect one or more process elements for the process activity. The process activity is collected with form elements, the form elements identifying containers. The containers include plates, tubes, and bottles holding samples. States are associated with the samples and containers. The states are automatically changed as the workflow is completed. A second user interface is provided to create a customized workflow.

Abstract: A position determining system for a vehicle comprises an imaging unit for collecting image data. A wireless device reads or interrogates a radio frequency identification tag. An identification module determines whether the collected image data contains a visual landmark. A confirmation module determines whether the identified visual landmark is associated with a corresponding radio frequency identification tag having a particular tag identifier. A range finder or distance estimator determines a position offset of the vehicle with respect to the identified visual landmark. A data processor determines a vehicular position of the vehicle based on the determined position offset and a stored reference position associated with at least one of the visual landmark and the radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed. The safety device includes a protective component wearable on a user's head. The safety device further includes a display unit configured to present status information at position in the periphery of the field of view of the user. The safety device includes a communications unit connectable to a wireless communication network and configured to send or receive status information. In certain embodiments, the safety device is a breathing apparatus or a head protection device. A method of presenting information to a user of the breathing apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A programmable power supply provides multiple output channels that may be independently driven to vary the frequency and duty cycle of each channel. The power supply includes the capability of receiving a program via a program interface on the power supply. The power supply also includes the capability of reading a program from a device that is plugged into the power supply's output connector. In this manner, a device to be powered (such as an EL panel sign with multiple segments) may contain a program that specifies how the segments are to be driven. This allows the power supply to dynamically reconfigure itself for many different signs by simply plugging a different sign into its output connector. The preferred embodiments also provide an improved connector system for EL panel signs, and includes output compensation to automatically compensate for degradation in an EL panel over time.

Abstract: A method and system for tracing the identity of an agricultural product comprises holding an agricultural product in a container having a tag. A container identifier of the tag is determined by reading the tag. Ancillary data is generated and is associated with a container location and the reading time. The ancillary data may include a status indicator (e.g., transaction descriptor) for the product, a custodian identifier or both. The container identifier and the ancillary data is transmitted for storage in a data storage system. A product-flow description (e.g., chain of custody) is established for the agricultural product for transport of the product from the origination location to the destination location.

Abstract: Initial data is acquired on an agricultural product associated with a harvesting time. The acquired initial data is transmitted (e.g., handed off) via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to an intermediate data processing system associated with a handler of the agricultural product. Additional data is appended to the acquired initial data received at the intermediate data processing system to form composite data. The composite data is transmitted via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to at least one of a receiver and a data processing system for processing or storing the composite data. The composite data is transferred to or made available to a data management system, which may be accessible to one or more users who seek access to at least one of the initial data, the additional data, and the composite data on the agricultural product or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: An Apparatus and a process of removing moisture in situ from a generally tubular outer insulation jacket about an underground electrical power distribution cable having opposite end zones in combination with a mating terminator in fluid sealing relation on one of the end zones of the cable, the cable including an inner core including a bundle of longitudinal strands of electrically conductive material defining longitudinally extending interstices between the strands, and the core and interstices extending axially through the jacket and having end zones extending axially from the insulation jacket which includes introducing gas at an elevated low pressure relative to ambient pressure directly into the interstices between said conductive strands at one end zone to flow through the interstices within the core without being in direct contact with the outer insulation jacket and out the other end zone of the cable to withdraw moisture and dry the insulation jacket about the core to retard and reduce tree formation

Abstract: A method and system of tracing an agricultural product relates to recording of at least one of planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical information, and weather information (e.g., electronically recorded) concerning a crop to form a data profile for a corresponding crop. Once harvested, the crop is segregated from intermixing with other harvested crops by placing the crop in one or more containers, each having a corresponding identifier. The data profile is associated with the container profile for later referencing of the data profile.

Abstract: A method and system of tracing an agricultural product relates to recording of at least one of planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical information, and weather information (e.g., electronically recorded) concerning a crop to form a data profile for a corresponding crop. Once harvested, the crop is segregated from intermixing with other harvested crops by placing the crop in one or more containers, each having a corresponding identifier. The data profile is associated with the container profile for later referencing of the data profile.