Abstract: A crane including electric actuators for lifting and/or traveling loads and/or crane elements, a generator for supplying the actuators with energy, an internal combustion engine for driving the generator, inputs for entering control commands for the actuators, and a control device for controlling the actuators in dependence on the control commands entered. The control device has a determination device for determining and/or estimating a future power demand of the electric actuators with reference to the actuation of the inputs with which control commands for the actuators are entered, and the current operating condition of the actuators, and an engine control unit for controlling the internal combustion engine in dependence on the estimated/determined future power demand.

Abstract: A lifting device is provided, the lifting device providing a cable and a powered winch which winds and unwinds the cable. Each end of the cable provides a slack-adjustable point of attachment to a load. The points of attachment may each be attached to an opposing end of a load, such that each point of attachment provides a counterweight to the other point of attachment. Slack between the points of attachment may be tensed by a bridging connector. The lifting device may lift a load by two lateral points of attachment such that the load may be elevated off a floor with minimal vertical clearance, and may be laterally actuated by casters hanging on a suspended rail.

Abstract: A modular crane, with a pot-shaped element on which an upper carriage of the crane can be mounted such that it can rotate about a rotational axis, multiple support carriers hinged to the pot-shaped element such that they can each pivot about a pivot axis for support on the ground, and a separable driving base on which the pot-shaped element can be secured.

Abstract: Winches with axially aligned, mechanically actuated brakes, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch includes a cable drum rotatable in a winding direction and an unwinding direction, a drive motor, a drive shaft coupled to the drive motor and rotatable about a shaft axis, a gear train coupled to the drive shaft and the cable drum, and a mechanically actuated brake. The brake can include a first element coupled to the drive shaft and rotatable about the shaft axis, a second element coupled to the cable drum and rotatable about the shaft axis, and a friction element positioned between the first and second elements and rotatable about the shaft axis. At least one of the first and second elements can be movable toward and away from the other between an engaged position with the friction element clamped between the first and second elements, and a disengaged position with the friction element unclamped.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an automated storage system and remotely operated vehicle or robot for picking up storage bins from a storage system. The inventive vehicle or robot comprises a vehicle body, which vehicle body further comprises a first section for storing vehicle driving means and a second section for receiving any storage bin stored in a storage column within the storage system, a vehicle lifting device which is at least indirectly connected to the vehicle body in order to lift the storage bin into the second section, a first set of vehicle rolling means connected to the vehicle body in order to allow movement of the vehicle along a first direction (X) within the storage system during use and a second set of vehicle rolling means connected to the vehicle body in order to allow movement of the vehicle along a second direction (Y) in the storage system during use. The second direction (Y) is oriented perpendicular to the first direction (X).

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatus to enhance safety. In some embodiments, a system comprises: a central computer system comprising: a transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to perform the steps of: communicate positioning routing instructions to the plurality of motorized transport units directing the motorized transport units to one or more external areas of a shopping facility that are exposed to weather conditions; and communicate separate area routing instructions to each of the motorized transport units that when implemented cause the motorized transport units to cooperatively and in concert travel in accordance with the area routing instructions over at least predefined portions of one or more external areas to cause ground treatment systems to address ground level conditions.

Abstract: A retention mechanism for retaining an agricultural machine in engagement with a fork assembly. The mechanism may be provided on the fork assembly, agricultural machine or split between them. The retention mechanism may be actuated by a foot associated with either the fork assembly or the agricultural machine. The retention mechanism may employ pivoting latches or a clamping mechanism that clamps upon the forks or tines.

Abstract: A dynamic system for a lifting apparatus is disclosed. The dynamic system includes a first motor and a second motor decoupled from the first motor. During the ascent of the lifting apparatus, only the first motor is involved in the driving of the lifting apparatus. During the descent of the lifting apparatus, only the second motor is involved in charging the battery system. Since the first motor and the second motor are decoupled from each other, the first motor can have a high driving efficiency and the second motor can have a high power generation efficiency, the problem that when only one motor is adopted, the motor needs to balance between the driving efficiency and power generation efficiency is solved. The energy recovery rate of this invention can be increased from 10% in the prior art to about 30%.

Abstract: A device for removing materials secured to surfaces. The powered crowbar includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end tapers to a flat chisel, such that the chisel is designed to fit within tight spaces. The second end includes a housing and grip, wherein the grip is designed to be held by a user. The housing has a motor, a power source operably connected to the motor, a control module operably connected to the motor, and an activation switch operably connected to the motor. The motor is designed to vibrate the shaft and chisel. In this way, the powered crowbar efficiently loosens and removes materials, such as a nailed board, secured to a surface.

Abstract: The safety barrier is for a lift platform that moves between a bottom position and an upper position and safety barrier includes a gate, defining a first plane. The gate includes a surface adapted to engage a cam assembly. The safety barrier has a mount that mounts to the lift platform and a mounting pin, defining an axis, that rotatably mounts the gate. The safety barrier also includes an upright post assembly having an upright post mounted to a non-movable surface, and the cam assembly that applies an upward force to the surface of the gate. When the lift platform moves to the bottom position, the assembly engages the surface and the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into an open position, and when the lift platform moves to the upper position, the gate rotates about the axis in the first plane into a closed position.

Abstract: A dual bottle opener and stabilizer is provided comprising a single manufactured unit that forms three individual sections, wherein the first section comprises a handle, the second section configured to engage a bottle cap of a bottle for removing and holding the bottle cap, and a third section for placing over a bottle neck and engaging a bottle neck of the bottle for lifting and pouring from the bottle by the handle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a filling unit (1) for contact filling an article (2) with a still pourable product, comprising: a tank (6) with a first region (7) fillable with pourable product and a second region (8) fillable with a first aeriform; a filling device (10) for contact filling a respective article (2); a first valve (16), which may be set either in a first open configuration allowing the fluidic connection between first region (7) of tank (6) and article (2) or in a first closed configuration in which it prevents the fluidic connection between first region (7) and article (2); a first fluidic line (44) partly defined by filling device (10) for allowing the escape of a second aeriform contained inside article (2) when first valve (16) is in first open configuration and article (2) is in contact with filling device (10); a second valve (46), which can be selectively set either in a second open configuration in which it allows second aeriform to flow along first fluidic line (44) when first valve (16) is in fi

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system for selectively dispensing a beverage in a vehicle includes a vehicle that has a cabin and an outer surface. A refrigerator is positioned within the vehicle and the refrigerator contains and cools a beverage. A dispensing unit is fluidly coupled to the refrigerator and the dispensing unit selectively dispenses the beverage. The dispensing unit is positioned within the cabin to be accessible to a driver of the vehicle. A charging unit is coupled to the vehicle thereby facilitating the charging to be exposed to sunlight. The charging unit converts sunlight into electrical energy and the charging unit is electrically coupled to the refrigerator and the dispensing unit.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is provided. The beverage dispensing system can include a nozzle module connected to a beverage dispenser housing. The nozzle module can be vertically and/or horizontally spaced from a beverage dispenser valve and nozzle.

Abstract: The system may be used to retain and delivery liquid from an interior of a cavity to an exterior thereof. The device may include a housing and a dispenser that is integrated into the housing. The housing may hold one or more storage containers containing a liquid. The dispenser includes a system to translate the fluid from within the storage container to a position exterior of the housing. The system may include nozzles located on an exterior surface of the housing for dispensing liquid from the interior of the storage containers.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extraction of a beverage from a beverage bottle, such as a wine bottle, using an extraction device. An aeration nozzle may be used to generate one or more jets of beverage arranged to expose the beverage to ambient air or other surrounding gas.

Abstract: A water discharge device is disclosed. A water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a main body having a flow channel formed therein such that water flows through the same and having a discharge opening connected to the flow channel and to the outside such that the water, which has flowed through the flow channel, is discharged to the outside; an opening/closing portion comprising an opening/closing member movably provided in the flow channel so as to open/close an opening/closing hole formed in the flow channel; and a manipulation portion that comprises a rotatable member, which rotates, and interworks with the main body and the opening/closing portion such that the opening/closing member is moved in the flow channel by a rotation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: Equipment for fluid transfer includes a valve, a frame that defines a housing for the valve and an upstream passage for the fluid that leads into the housing and is fluidically connectable to a fluid source, the valve being able to move between a non-inserted position and an inserted position in which the valve is situated at least partially in the housing, a module that defines a downstream passage for the fluid that fluidically connectable to the reservoir, the module being able to move between an open position, allowing the insertion of the valve, and a closed position in which the module is fixed to the frame, and two seals that are respectively compressed substantially between the valve and the frame and between the valve and the module when the valve is in the inserted position and the module is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for tracking fluid delivery from a storage tank to a vehicle operated by a user includes obtaining a user ID and a vehicle ID from the user. The obtained user ID and vehicle ID are compared to a database of authorized user IDs and vehicle IDs. Fluid is allowed to be dispensed from the storage tank to the vehicle if the obtained user ID and vehicle ID match the authorized IDs and vehicle IDs in the database.

Abstract: An equine bridle system, the system having a mouth piece; a headstall; reins; and a plurality of connection interfaces being provided at opposing ends of the mouthpiece. Each connection interface is configured to resiliently deform in response to a tensile input by a user to the reins so as to provide a variable pressure output profile at the mouth piece.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a cushion including an outer cover defining an interior cavity, and inner filler material disposed within the interior cavity. The inner filler material may comprise at least one molded block of polyurethane foam. The outer cover and/or the inner filler material may be porous to at least water. The cushion further includes a waterproof coating to the outer surface the inner filler material and forming waterproof seal extending entirely thereabout after curing. The waterproof coating comprises butyl acrylate within the range of 17-32 wt %, styrene within the range of 13-26 wt %, and deionized water within the range of 42-70 wt % prior to curing. The waterproof coating may further include auxiliary components within the range of 0.5-8 wt % prior to curing. The auxiliary components may include acrylic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, an emulsifier component, ammonium peroxydisulfate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium phosphate, tertiary and tributyl phosphate.

Abstract: A fiber cushion body comprises a first portion in which fibers have a preferential orientation along a first direction and at least a second portion having a fiber orientation and/or density different from the first portion. The fiber cushion body is processed using laser radiation to form a laser cut or laser weld.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a MEMS apparatus with a patterned anti-stiction layer, and an associated method of formation. The MEMS apparatus has a handle substrate defining a first bonding face and a MEMS substrate having a MEMS device and defining a second bonding face. The handle substrate is bonded to the MEMS substrate through a bonding interface with the first bonding face toward the second bonding face. An anti-stiction layer is arranged between the first and the second bonding faces without residing over the bonding interface.

Abstract: A micromechanical spring for an inertial sensor includes first and second spring elements situated parallel to each other and anchored on an anchoring element of the inertial sensor; and a third spring element situated between the two spring elements, anchored on the anchoring element, and having on both external sides a defined number of nub elements that are formed so as to have an increasing distance from the spring elements in a defined fashion as the distance from the anchoring element increases.

Abstract: A method for forming a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device structure is provided. The MEMS device structure includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) substrate, and a substrate formed over the MEMS substrate. The substrate includes a semiconductor via through the substrate. The MEMS device structure includes a dielectric layer formed over the substrate and a polymer layer formed on the dielectric layer. The MEMS device structure also includes a conductive layer formed in the dielectric layer and the polymer layer. The conductive layer is electrically connected to the semiconductor via, and the polymer layer is between the conductive layer and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A sensor device and a method for manufacturing the sensor device. The sensor device is equipped with an impact element that includes an inner part of dielectric bulk material and an outer part of diamond-like coating material. The inner part is made to be lower at the edges than in the middle, and the outer part is formed of a diamond-like coating layer that covers the inner part. The DLC coated impact element is mechanically more robust than the rectangular prior art structures. Furthermore, the tapered form of the impact element improves conductivity of the DLC coating such that discharge of static buildup in the impact element is effectively enabled.

Abstract: A micromechanical component, having a carrier wafer having at least one micromechanical structure that is situated in a cavern; a thin-layer cap situated on the carrier wafer, by which the cavern is hermetically sealed; and a cap wafer situated on the thin-layer cap in the region of the cavern having the micromechanical structure, the cap wafer hermetically sealing a region of the thin-layer cap above the cavern.

Abstract: A process for producing a nanographene platelet-reinforced composite material having nanographene platelets or sheets (NGPs) as a first reinforcement phase dispersed in a matrix material and the first reinforcement phase occupies a weight fraction of 1-90% based on the total composite weight. Preferably, these NGPs, alone or in combination with a second reinforcement phase, are bonded by an adhesive and constitute a continuous 3-D network of electron- and phonon-conducting paths.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the purity level of hydrogen gas fuel provided to an anode side of a fuel cell stack, and then modifying models and algorithms used by the system based on the purity level. The method includes determining whether predetermined criteria have been met that are necessary to obtain an accurate hydrogen gas fuel purity level, and if so, comparing a measured voltage or current of the fuel cell stack to a modeled voltage or current of the fuel cell stack. If the comparison between the measured voltage or current and the modeled voltage or current is greater than a predetermined threshold, then the method adapts a hydrogen gas concentration value to a lower purity level to be used by downstream models.

Abstract: An oxygen generator includes a bag body and supporting components. The bag body is configured to contain a reactive liquid, a reactant and a catalyst, and the bag body includes a bag piece, a circumferential sealing part and separation parts. The circumferential sealing part is bound with a part of the periphery of the bag piece, so as to define a range of an inner space, and a range of the rest part of the periphery of the bag piece defines an opening. Both ends of each separation part are connected to the circumferential sealing part so as to separate the inner space into a plurality of separate spaces, and the plurality of separate spaces respectively contain the reactant and the catalyst. The supporting components are contained in one of the plurality of separate spaces, and the positions, corresponding to the supporting components, of the bag body are incompressible.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride film includes a polycrystalline aluminum nitride. A withstand voltage of the aluminum nitride film is 100 kV/mm or more.

Abstract: A hydrogel comprising a colloidal suspension of MIXMIIYPZ two-dimensional nanocrystals in water, wherein MI is Na+ and/or Li+, MII is Mg2+ or a mixture of Mg2+ with one or more Ni2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and/or Mn2+, P is a mixture of dibasic phosphate ions (HPO42?) and tribasic phosphate ions (PO43?), X ranges from about 0.43 to about 0.63, Y ranges from about 0.10 to about 0.18, Z ranges from about 0.29 to about 0.48, X, Y, Z being mole fractions, is provided.

Abstract: A nanofiber forest on a substrate can be patterned to produce a patterned assembly of nanofibers that can be drawn to form nanofiber sheets, ribbons, or yarns.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube composite material includes a fixture sheet having a front side and a back side, and a carbon nanotube array sheet embedded in or bonded to both front and back sides of the fixture sheet.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing carbon nanotubes by supplying a catalyst and a carbon source to a fluidized bed reactor. The fluidized bed reactor has an expanded zone. A flow velocity (linear velocity) of a raw material supplied to the fluidized bed reactor is equal to or higher than a terminal velocity of an internal material in the fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: Polypropylene-coated functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (PP/f-MWNT) comprising functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (f-MWNT) in an amount of from about 0.5 wt. % to about 80 wt. %, based on the total weight of the PP/f-MWNT; and polypropylene (PP) in an amount of from about 20 wt. % to about 99.5 wt. %, based on the total weight of the PP/f-MWNT. A method of making PP/f-MWNT comprising (a) contacting pristine multiwall carbon nanotubes (p-MWNT) with nitric acid to produce f-MWNT; (b) contacting at least a portion of the f-MWNT with a first solvent to form a f-MWNT dispersion; (c) contacting PP with a second solvent to form a PP solution; (d) contacting at least a portion of the f-MWNT dispersion with at least a portion of the PP solution to form a PP and f-MWNT suspension; and (e) drying at least a portion of the PP and f-MWNT suspension to form the PP/f-MWNT.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus, which draws carbon nanotubes from a grown form produced by growing carbon nanotubes, includes a holder for holding a part of the grown form by a holding member and a drive unit for causing a relative movement of the grown form and the holder. The holder includes a winding unit for winding a part of the grown form around the holding member.

Abstract: Provided is a fibrous carbon nanostructure dispersion liquid having excellent fibrous carbon nanostructure dispersibility. The fibrous carbon nanostructure dispersion liquid contains a solvent and one or more fibrous carbon nanostructures that exhibit a convex upward shape in a t-plot obtained from an adsorption isotherm.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a carbon nanotube structure can be manufactured by merely a simple process in which carbon nanotubes are pulverized and mixed in a dispersion solvent without a dispersant, followed by freezing, and then the dispersion solvent is removed. Such a method does not require a dispersant and a binder so that the manufactured carbon nanotube structure can be composed of only carbon nanotubes, and does not depend on the other additives to form the carbon nanotube structure so that there is little possibility of damage and contamination of the structure during the collection procedure of the structure after the formation of the structure.

Abstract: Cohesive carbon assemblies are prepared by obtaining a functionalized carbon starting material in the form of powder, particles, flakes, loose agglomerates, aqueous wet cake, or aqueous slurry, dispersing the carbon in water by mechanical agitation and/or refluxing, and substantially removing the water, typically by evaporation, whereby the cohesive assembly of carbon is formed. The method is suitable for preparing free-standing, monolithic assemblies of carbon nanotubes in the form of films, wafers, discs, fiber, or wire, having high carbon packing density and low electrical resistivity. The method is also suitable for preparing substrates coated with an adherent cohesive carbon assembly. The assemblies have various potential applications, such as electrodes or current collectors in electrochemical capacitors, fuel cells, and batteries, or as transparent conductors, conductive inks, pastes, and coatings.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing isolated graphene sheets from a supply of coke or coal powder containing therein domains of hexagonal carbon atoms and/or hexagonal carbon atomic interlayers. The method comprises: (a) dispersing particles of the coke or coal powder in a liquid medium containing therein an optional surfactant or dispersing agent to produce a suspension or slurry, wherein the coke or coal powder is selected from petroleum coke, coal-derived coke, mesophase coke, synthetic coke, leonardite, anthracite, lignite coal, bituminous coal, or natural coal mineral powder, or a combination thereof; and (b) exposing the suspension or slurry to ultrasonication at an energy level for a sufficient length of time to produce the isolated graphene sheets.

Abstract: There is provided an industrially scalable system and method for preparing graphene oxide and thereafter reduced graphene oxide, with high yields (generally better than 98 percent), in which the yield and quality are maximized. In certain embodiments of the present method and process, the initial particle size of the graphite charge and the temperature profile are of greater importance to a successful outcome than the reactants themselves. It should be noted that unlike the previous Hummers methods and derivatives, secondary oxidizers and exfoliation agents such as nitric acid, sodium nitrate and similar intercalation agents are not necessary to achieve the desired result.

Abstract: Bio-based materials, e.g., epoxide starting material, a beta-lactone starting material and/or a beta-hydroxy amide starting material, may be used as feedstocks in processes for making and using acrylonitrile and acrylonitrile derivatives to produce, among other products, carbon fibers and carbon black.

Abstract: A diamond powder comprising diamond particles having an average particle size of no more than 20 ?m and a vacancy or impurity-vacancy point defect concentration of at least 1 ppm. At least 70% of the volume of diamond in the powder is formed from a single crystal growth sector. This leads to a substantially uniform concentration of vacancies or impurity-vacancy point defects in the diamond particles because the rate of impurity take-up during growth is heavily dependent on the growth sector, which in turn leads to a more uniform fluorescent response. There is also described a method for making such a powder.

Abstract: A reactor 200 according to the present invention includes a heater storage section serving as a space section capable of accommodating a carbon heater to initial heating of silicon core wires. A carbon heater 13 is loaded in a deposition reaction space 20 in the reactor 200 only when necessary for initial heating of silicon core wires 12. After initial heating of the silicon core wires 12 is finished, the carbon heater 13 is unloaded from the deposition reaction space to the heater storage section 30. As a result, the carbon heater 13 is not unduly damaged in the reactor any longer and its deterioration is reduced. In addition, because of reduction in reaction with hydrogen gas in the reactor, the generation of methane is reduced, and thus carbon contamination of polycrystalline silicon is reduced.

Abstract: A polymer inactivation method for a polycrystalline silicon manufacturing device, wherein the polymer byproducts are treated in a manner that controls the rate of reaction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for synthesizing fibrous silica nanospheres, the method can include, in sequence, the steps of: a) providing a reaction mixture comprising a silica precursor, a hydrolyzing agent, a template molecule, a cosurfactant and one or more solvents; b) maintaining the reaction mixture under stirring for a length of time; c) heating the reaction mixture to a temperature for a length of time; d) cooling the reaction mixture to obtain a solid, and (e) calcinating the solid to pro duce fibrous silica nanospheres, wherein desirable product characteristics such as particle size, fiber density, surface area, pore volume and pore size can be obtained by controlling one or more parameters of the method. The present disclosure further provides a method for synthesizing fibrous silica nanospheres using conventional heating such as refluxing the reactants in an open reactor, thereby eliminating the need for microwave heating in a closed reactor or the need for any pressure reactors.

Abstract: A boron allotrope comprising an elemental boron layer comprising a boron atomic thickness dimension and a method for preparation thereof.

Abstract: A family of new crystalline molecular sieves designated SSZ-91 is disclosed, as are methods for making SSZ-91 and uses for SSZ-91. Molecular sieve SSZ-91 is structurally similar to sieves falling within the ZSM-48 family of molecular sieves, and is characterized as: (1) having a low degree of faulting, (2) a low aspect ratio that inhibits hydrocracking as compared to conventional ZSM-48 materials having an aspect ratio of greater than 8, and (3) is substantially phase pure.

Abstract: There are provided methods for the production of potassium sulphate. The methods comprise contacting an aqueous potassium- and sulphate-containing composition with magnesium chloride (MgCl2), thereby obtaining a composition comprising kainite; optionally concentrating the kainite from the composition; reacting the kainite with magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and potassium sulphate (K2SO4) so as to convert the kainite into leonite (K2SO4.MgSO4.4H2O); optionally contacting the leonite with water to remove excess MgSO4 and contacting the leonite with water so as to leach the MgSO4, contained in the leonite, and to at least substantially selectively precipitate potassium sulphate (K2SO4), and further involving a process brine sulphate control step, based on bloedite precipitation, to control the overall level of sulphate in the method. The method according to the invention can be operated at higher temperatures, in particular at temperatures above 35° C. and does not require a cooling step at 20 to 25° C.