Abstract: The [Ligament End Feel Simulator] has the sole purpose of teaching athletic training students and other medical professionals what laxity of the anterior cruciate ligament feels like without the need for a live injured patient to be present. The novelty of the present invention comes from the non-existence of the present invention in the athletic training profession. Although a person not knowledgeable in the art can look at the present invention and recognize it as being a knee; the average person and even most medical professionals will not know that the device is meant to be used in conjunction with the Lachman manual special test.

Abstract: Some implementations can include a wristwatch comprising a case having a bezel, and a plurality of semispherical recesses formed in a facial surface of the bezel. The wristwatch can include a plurality of spherical elements, wherein each spherical element is disposed in a respective semispherical recess, and a plurality of inner false prongs formed on the bezel and disposed along an inner circumference of the bezel between pairs of semispherical recesses. The wristwatch can further include a plurality of outer false prongs formed on the bezel and disposed along an outer circumference of the bezel between pairs of semispherical recesses and in radial alignment with corresponding inner false prongs.

Abstract: The [Ligament End Feel Simulator] has the sole purpose of teaching athletic training students and other medical professionals what laxity of the anterior cruciate ligament feels like without the need for a live injured patient to be present. The novelty of the present invention comes from the non-existence of the present invention in the athletic training profession. Although a person not knowledgeable in the art can look at the present invention and recognize it as being a knee; the average person and even most medical professionals will not know that the device is meant to be used in conjunction with the Lachman manual special test.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a milking process by a milking apparatus that includes a teatcup with a pulsation space and an airline to deliver varying levels of pressure to the pulsation space. The method includes: measuring airflow within the airline to obtain an indication of volume of displaced air within the pulsation space; comparing the volume with a reference value; and determining a connection parameter, indicating how the teatcup is connected to the teat, based on the comparison. The displaced air volume correlates to the extent the teat protrudes into the teatcup, thus providing information on how the teatcup is connected. Also provided is a milking system incorporating the method.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a milking process by a milking apparatus with a teatcup with a pulsation space and a pulsation airline configured to deliver varying levels of pressure to the pulsation space, including measuring at least one property of a vibrational signal within the airline with a vibration sensor; comparing a value of the measured property with a reference value; and determining a condition of the milking process based on the comparison. The vibrational signal can be a sound signal from to the displacement of air into and out of the pulsation space. This sound in the airline correlates to the extent to which a teat has entered a teatcup, and is a good indication of the connection of the teatcup to that teat. The sound is furthermore a cleaner signal than a sound signal in a milkline. Also provided is a robotic automatic milking implement incorporating the method.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a milking process by a milking apparatus that includes a teatcup with a pulsation space and an airline to deliver varying levels of pressure to the pulsation space. The method includes: measuring airflow within the airline to obtain an indication of volume of displaced air within the pulsation space; comparing the volume with a reference value; and determining a connection parameter, indicating how the teatcup is connected to the teat, based on the comparison. The displaced air volume correlates to the extent the teat protrudes into the teatcup, thus providing information on how the teatcup is connected. Also provided is a milking system incorporating the method.

Abstract: An instrument for use with fluid which includes a mixing element, and a container to hold the fluid to be mixed, characterised in that the mixing element includes a sensor that assists to measure a parameter of fluid.

Abstract: A method of analyzing milk components having the steps of collecting a milk sample, ionizing the milk sample, and using an ion mobility spectrometer to detect predetermined components within the ionized milk sample, wherein the ion mobility spectrometer is positioned within a milking system from which the milk sample is taken.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an apparatus for detecting if oestrus is imminent or present in a milking animal, the apparatus configured to be operated by the steps of: a) defining a processing area which encompasses two or more independent heat outputs including a portion of the rear of the milking animal; b) measuring an indicator of heat output from that area with at least one sensor; and c) using measurement obtained in b) to determine if an oestrus condition is imminent or present.

Abstract: A method of analysing milk components having the steps of collecting a milk sample, ionizing the milk sample, and using an ion mobility spectrometer to detect predetermined components within the ionized milk sample, wherein the ion mobility spectrometer is positioned within a milking system from which the milk sample is taken.

Abstract: A sampler (1) for extracting sample volumes of substantially single-phase fluid or gas from a fluid-flow system containing multi-phase fluids (3), said sampler (1) including; a collection recess (4) adapted to separate substantially single-phase fluid from said multi-phase fluid (3); an extraction outlet (8) in said collection recess (4); at least one fluid sensor system (5) capable of sensing the presence and/or state of said single-phase fluid or gas in the collection recess (4), a fluid controller (6) capable of controlling fluid or gas flow from the collection recess (4) via said extraction outlet (8), characterised in that said fluid sensor system (5) includes at least two distinct sensors respectively capable of utilising distinct properties of the fluid or gas to determine the presence and/or state of the sample volume present in the collection recess (4).

Abstract: An instrument for use with fluid which includes a mixing element, and a container to hold the fluid to be mixed, characterised in that the mixing element includes a sensor that assists to measure a parameter of fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal turbine gas blower with foil bearings for use with a fast axial flow laser. The blower utilizes variable components in order to operate at different speeds for multiple applications. In addition, a bypass load has been incorporated to avoid a surge condition. The blower utilizes foil bearings that are self-lubricating in order to achieve improved efficiency and maximized speeds during operation. The bearings are designed with a bump layer that provides damping for pre-load. Additionally, the backplate of the thrust assembly contains holes in order to reduce the thrust load and to balance the force on the impeller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal turbine gas blower with foil bearings for use with a fast axial flow laser. The blower utilizes variable components in order to operate at different speeds for multiple applications. In addition, a bypass load has been incorporated to avoid a surge condition. The blower utilizes foil bearings that are self-lubricating in order to achieve improved efficiency and maximized speeds during operation. The bearings are designed with a bump layer that provides damping for pre-load. Additionally, the backplate of the thrust assembly contains holes in order to reduce the thrust load and to balance the force on the impeller.

Abstract: A rock stabilizer includes an elongated metal tube having and interior and an exterior surface with a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is tapered and a flange is positioned adjacent the proximal end. The tube further includes a slit that runs substantially the entire length thereof. The tube is constructed so as to be capable of being positioned within a bore formed in the wall of a mine. A plurality of indentations or recesses are formed in the outer surface of the tube along the length thereof adjacent the slit so that grout or resinous material pumped into the interior of the tube can flow out of the slit and into the indentations or recesses. An expander wedge is also located within the interior of the tube adjacent the distal end and is actuatable from the proximal end of the tube after said stabilizer is installed in a bore. The wedge expands the distal end of the tube to firmly anchor the stabilizer in the bore.

Abstract: A stable concentrated dust control composition comprises a mixture of crude tall oil and vegetable oil emulsified in water. The dust control composition is completely organic, non-corrosive, non-flammable, non-toxic, ecologically safe, readily dilutable with water, safe to use, easy to apply to a desired surface and environmentally responsible. The water soluble formula may be designed to penetrate into the surfaces to bind with surface materials to create a dust free durable surface safe to motorists. The composition suspresses dust, so it is unable to be picked up and be carried away by wind and water, therefore preventing soil erosion and damage to field crops. The composition also reduces airborne dust that carries disease causing pollutants that are transported to distant communities.

Abstract: A coating control system is provided enabling continuous operations, free of interruption for coating control purposes, while achieving desired coating weight and thickness profile for the various gages, widths and coating specifications encountered on a given continuous strip production line. In each of a pair of elongated pneumatic dies, a pressurized gas jet is controllably shaped and directed by flow-control means internally-mounted of each pneumatic die to impinge against its respective substrate coated surface with its major directional component of force being controlled to be perpendicularly transverse to the travel path of the coated strip across its full width. Adjustment of such internally-mounted means is coordinated with control of gas pressure supply and/or adjustment of die positioning means to maintain desired coating weight and coating profile across the width of the strip.

Abstract: A coating control system is provided enabling continuous operations, free of interruption for coating control purposes, while achieving desired coating weight and thickness profile for the various gages, widths and coating specifications encountered on a given continuous strip production line. In each of a pair of elongated pneumatic dies, a pressurized gas jet is controllably shaped and directed by flow-control means internally-mounted of each pneumatic die to impinge against its respective substrate coated surface with its major directional component of force being controlled to be perpendicularly transverse to the travel path of the coated strip across its full width. Adjustment of such internally-mounted means is coordinated with control of gas pressure supply and/or adjustment of die positioning means to maintain desired coating weight and coating profile across the width of the strip.

Abstract: A coating control system is provided enabling continuous operations, free of interruption for coating control purposes, while achieving desired coating weight and thickness profile for the various gages, widths and coating specifications encountered on a given continuous strip production line. In each of a pair of elongated pneumatic dies, a pressurized gas jet is controllably shaped and directed by flow-control means internally-mounted of each pneumatic die to impinge against its respective substrate coated surface with its major directional component of force being controlled to be perpendicularly transverse to the travel path of the coated strip across its full width. Adjustment of such internally-mounted means is coordinated with control of gas pressure supply and/or adjustment of die positioning means to maintain desired coating weight and coating profile across the width of the strip.

Abstract: An air throttle for an internal combustion engine having a shaft mounted butterfly vane mounted for rotation in the engine charge air inlet. The butterfly vane and shaft have an idle air bleed slot therethrough with a tubular idle valve mounted over said shaft for concentric rotation thereabout. With the butterfly vane closed for idle mode running, the idle valve is rotated between set limits to control idle air flow and idle speed. Upon rotation of the idle valve beyond the set limits, the butterfly is progressively opened for off-idle mode running speed control.