Abstract: A monitoring system for a mobile irrigation system that monitors the conditions or states of various electrical and/or mechanical components of the irrigation system and alerts an operator or automatically takes corrective action when conditions that may adversely affect operation of the irrigation system are detected. The monitoring system also monitors and records the locations of the irrigation system as it monitors the conditions or states of the electrical and/or mechanical components.

Abstract: A fault notification system comprises a plurality of tower sensor units and a central processing element. Each tower sensor unit includes a tower safety sensor and a tower processing element. The tower safety sensor monitors a rotation angle of a mobile tower and output a signal that varies according to the rotation angle. The tower processing element is configured to receive the signal, compare a signal level of the signal with a range of signal levels indicating a normal rotation angle, and transmit a message that a fault has occurred and request that each drive motor shut down if the level of the signal is out of the range indicating a normal rotation angle. The central processing element is configured to receive the message from the tower processing element and transmit a signal to each tower processing element to output a signal to instruct each drive motor to shut down.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for optimized spinal fixation using additive manufacturing techniques to create implants with optimized structure for various surgical approaches, anatomies, etc. One exemplary embodiment includes a cage having an X-shaped connection that can bear a load during cage impaction. The cage can be additively manufactured to incorporate features such as variable wall thickness or material density to adjust properties of the cage, including load bearing capability, flexibility, radiolucency, etc. The cage can further include one or more of the connectors disposed between upper and lower endplates. In some embodiments, the cage can include a feature for coupling an insertion device thereto for introducing the cage into the body of a patient. In some embodiments, a plate can be appended to or integrally formed with a proximal end of the cage to assist with securing the cage to vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An open mesh member for insertion into a cooling tower utilizing polluted or clean water and counterflow or crossflow airflow includes a plurality of corrugations including upper support frames, lower support frames and a wall strand. The upper and lower support frames extend at a corrugation angle relative to a height axis. The corrugations have a plurality of openings through a thickness of the mesh member. A planar edge positioned at a first end of the mesh member. A beveled edge positioned at a second end of the mesh member. The beveled edge includes a first bevel extending distally from one of the upper support frames. The bevel includes first and second legs and a distal end. The first and second legs extend substantially parallel relative to the associated upper support frame.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes stacking a plurality of parting sheets, a plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a rectangular first heat exchanger section. The first heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the lengthwise closure bars. The method also includes brazing the rectangular first heat exchanger section together and cutting a first side and a second side of the rectangular first heat exchanger section to give the first heat exchanger section a tapered-trapezoid profile. The method further includes brazing an end of a second heat exchanger section to the first or second side of the first heat exchanger section.

Abstract: A method for removing liquid from a slurry includes: (i) feeding the slurry into the inlet of a press; (ii) removing liquid from the slurry as the slurry advances through a deliquifying section of the press, thereby producing a pressate stream; (iii) forming a plug of material as the slurry is advanced through a plug formation section of the press; (iv) advancing the plug of material to a discharge section of the press; and (v) removing additional liquid from the plug of material by operating the press so that the pressure in the discharge section of the press is greater than the pressure of the pressate stream by at least 2 psi. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling discharge consistency from a press, without provision of discharge restrictors, by varying the pressure differential between a discharge section of the press and a pressate stream.

Abstract: A center-pivot irrigation system having mobile towers interconnected by spans actuatable about a center-pivot, constant speed motors for each of the mobile towers, and variable gear ratio transmissions each driven by one of the constant speed motors and each driving one of the mobile towers. The irrigation system may also include a control system sending command signals to the variable gear ratio transmissions, independently increasing or decreasing a speed of the mobile towers via the variable gear ratio transmissions. The irrigation system may also include a sensors for providing alignment information regarding the spans to the control system. The control system may independently command the transmissions to speed up or slow down one of the mobile towers relative to alignment information received from the sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing that defines an opening. A light source is operably coupled with the housing. The light source is configured to emit light. A lens is coupled to the housing proximate the opening. The lens includes a first side that has an A-surface of the lens. A second side has a B-surface of the lens. A first optic defines an interior surface of the first side of the lens. The A-surface is free of the first optic. A second optic is defined on the second side. The first optic and the second optic are aligned to collimate and disperse the light.

Abstract: A system for reheating a power generation system including a boiler and a mixer fluidly coupled to the boiler, a turbine first section operable to receive steam from the boiler at a first temperature. The turbine supplies steam at a second temperature to the boiler or mixer. The system also includes a first flow control valve operable to control a flow of steam through the turbine, and a sensor the sensor operable to monitor at least one operating characteristic in the boiler system. The system further includes a control unit configured to receive the monitored operating characteristic and control at least the first flow control valve, to control the amount of steam directed through the turbine.

Abstract: A system for warming a power generation system including a boiler and a mixer fluidly coupled to the boiler, a turbine first section operable to receive steam from the boiler at a first temperature. The turbine supplies steam at a second temperature to a first heat exchanger operably connected to receive the heated steam at the second temperature from the output of at least the first section of the turbine and transfer heat to at least one of water and steam in the boiler or the mixer, feedwater for the boiler, and a thermal energy storage system. The system further includes a control unit configured to receive the monitored operating characteristic and control the amount of steam directed through the turbine.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing that defines an opening. A light source is operably coupled with the housing. The light source is configured to emit light. A lens is coupled to the housing proximate the opening. The lens includes a first side that has an A-surface of the lens. A second side has a B-surface of the lens. A first optic defines an interior surface of the first side of the lens. The A-surface is free of the first optic. A second optic is defined on the second side. The first optic and the second optic are aligned to collimate and disperse the light.

Abstract: A system for reheating a power generation system including a boiler and a mixer fluidly coupled to the boiler, a turbine first section operable to receive steam from the boiler at a first temperature. The turbine supplies steam at a second temperature to the boiler or mixer. The system also includes a first flow control valve operable to control a flow of steam through the turbine, and a sensor the sensor operable to monitor at least one operating characteristic in the boiler system. The system further includes a control unit configured to receive the monitored operating characteristic and control at least the first flow control valve, to control the amount of steam directed through the turbine.

Abstract: Implant inserters and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for delivering a fusion cage or other implant to a spinal disc space and for rotating or articulating the implant within the disc space. An exemplary instrument can include an inner member having opposed jaws for grasping the implant and holding the implant during insertion. The inner member can be slidably received within an outer member such that relative axial translation of the inner and outer members is effective to open or close the jaws. The jaws and/or the distal end of the outer member can have a low-profile geometry, which can advantageously facilitate certain surgical procedures. For example, the low-profile geometry can allow for a more medial approach to an intervertebral disc space in which the implant is to be inserted.

Abstract: A 3 megawatt wind turbine generator having a rotor configured to efficiently extract power from low to moderate winds having an average speed of between about 7.5 and 8.5 meters/second is provided. The rotor includes three aerodynamic blades having an aspect ratio of 15 mounted on a modular hub. The relatively shorter and wider aerodynamic blades result in a rotor having a specific power of about 0.27, a specific power rating of about 260 watts/m2, and a solidity of about 6%. The modular hub is formed from three interconnected hub sections, each of which formed from a single plate of spring steel bent along its sides into a modular shape. The bends in the plates forming the hub sections act like corrugations that more strongly resist the larger stresses applied to the hub as a result of the relatively shorter and wider aspect of the aerodynamic blades.

Abstract: A fill pack includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet has a first end, a second end and a first plurality of flutes. A first microstructure includes first top flat strips, first bottom flat strips and first conduit sides connecting the first top flat strips to the first bottom flat strips. A plurality of first radii connect the first top flat strips to the first conduit sides and the first bottom flat strips to the first conduit sides. The second sheet has a second plurality of flutes. A second microstructure includes second top flat strips, second bottom flat strips and second conduit sides connecting the second top flat strips to the second bottom flat strips. A plurality of second radii connect the second top flat strips to the second conduit sides and second bottom flat strips to the second conduit sides.

Abstract: Formulations of praziquantel are used to locally treat female genital schistosomiasis. The formulations can be applied to the upper or lower female genital tract, depending on the location of the infection. Thick or viscous formulations can be used advantageously in the vagina. Solutions of active ingredient can be instilled in the uterus.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of mobile agricultural devices that includes establishing electronic communication with a plurality of transceivers mounted to the mobile agricultural devices and building a model including a virtual representation of each of the mobile agricultural devices. The method also includes displaying the model at a user interface including a display and a gesture sensor. The method further includes receiving location data regarding the mobile agricultural devices via the transceivers and adjusting at least one of the virtual representations of the mobile agricultural devices within the model to reflect the location data.

Abstract: An organizer assembly includes a primary basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first open end and a second closed end, the primary basket defining an interior. The organizer assembly further includes a bracket assembly extending along a transverse axis at the first open end of the basket, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies. The organizer assembly further includes a plurality of organizer trays, each of the plurality of organizer trays rotatably connectable to the bracket assembly at one of the plurality of hinge assemblies. Each of the plurality of organizer trays is rotatable between a first position wherein the organizer tray is aligned along the longitudinal axis and a second position wherein the organizer tray is aligned along the transverse axis.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes stacking a plurality of parting sheets, a plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a rectangular first heat exchanger section. The first heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the lengthwise closure bars. The method also includes brazing the rectangular first heat exchanger section together and cutting a first side and a second side of the rectangular first heat exchanger section to give the first heat exchanger section a tapered-trapezoid profile. The method further includes brazing an end of a second heat exchanger section to the first or second side of the first heat exchanger section.

Abstract: Implant inserters and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for delivering a fusion cage or other implant to a spinal disc space and for rotating or articulating the implant within the disc space. An exemplary instrument can include an inner member having opposed jaws for grasping the implant and holding the implant during insertion. The inner member can be slidably received within an outer member such that relative axial translation of the inner and outer members is effective to open or close the jaws. The jaws and/or the distal end of the outer member can have a low-profile geometry, which can advantageously facilitate certain surgical procedures. For example, the low-profile geometry can allow for a more medial approach to an intervertebral disc space in which the implant is to be inserted.