Abstract: A method of transporting proppant to a wellsite can comprise transporting a plurality of trailers to a proppant-loading site, each of the trailers comprising one or more containers. At the proppant-loading site, proppant can be loaded into the container(s) of each of first and second ones of the trailers. A long combination vehicle comprising a truck and the first and second trailers can be formed at least by coupling the first trailer to the truck and the second trailer to the first trailer. The long combination vehicle can be driven from the proppant-loading site to the wellsite after proppant is loaded into the container(s) of each of the first and second trailers at the proppant-loading site. Less than 1% of a distance that the long combination vehicle drives from the proppant-loading site to the wellsite can be on a public road.

Abstract: Apparatuses, method and computer program products for automatically performing sorting operations are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may comprise: an array of gripping elements, and at least one processing component configured to: obtain image data corresponding with the plurality of items; identify, from the image data, one or more characteristics of the plurality of items; determine, based at least in part on the one or more characteristics, an ordered sequence corresponding with the plurality of items; and generate a control indication to cause at least one of the gripping elements to perform the sorting operations based at least in part on the ordered sequence.

Abstract: An order picking system includes a paternoster conveyor having a carrier configured to carry products. The paternoster conveyor is on one side associated with at least one transporter; and on an opposite side associated with at least a plurality of further transporters that comprise a plurality of transport boxes. The plurality of transport boxes are configured to receive one or more than one product carried by the carrier. The paternoster conveyor is configured to at least one of: selectively place one or more than one product in a pre-selected transport box of the plurality of transport boxes; and selectively pick up and carry a pre-selected transport box comprising one or more than one product previously received therein. A method of handling products in such an order picking system.

Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.

Abstract: A mobile conductor lift comprised of multiple lightweight subassemblies that may be rapidly assembled manually or using handheld tools by a small crew of workers and that is capable of being quickly and easily placed into multiple potential configurations and in either horizontal or vertical orientations for lifting energized or deenergized conductors away from power poles in order to provide room for work to be performed by workers on such power poles or on other equipment connected to such power poles.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multi-functional automatic translational field service device, which includes a first driverless water wagon and a second driverless water wagon that are arranged on a flat road at two ends of a field respectively. The first driverless water wagon is connected with the second driverless water wagon through a first steel wire (1) and a second steel wire (2), and two sides of the first steel wire (1) are each provided with a synchronizer (3); the first steel wire (1) is connected with a first horizontal PVC pipe (5) through a plurality of third steel wires (4) that are evenly distributed and extended along a vertical direction; a plurality of first round holes are evenly distributed on the first PVC pipe (5).

Abstract: A cryogenic storage system includes a transfer module configured to service one or more cryogenic storage freezers. The transfer module includes a working chamber that maintains a cryogenic environment for the transfer of sample tubes between different sample boxes. One or more freezer ports enable the transfer module to receive a sample box extracted from a respective freezer. An input/output (I/O) port enables external access to samples. A box transport robot operates to transport sample boxes between the freezer ports, the working chamber, and the I/O port. A picker robot operates to transfer sample tubes between sample boxes within the working chamber.

Abstract: A mover according to the present disclosure includes: a body to move; a second member; a suction unit; a location detection unit; a first moving part, and a second moving part. The second member moves in a state where the second member is combined with a first member provided for an object, as the body is displaced relative to the object. The suction unit is sucked to the object in the state where the second member is combined with the first member. The location detection unit detects a location of the body with respect to the object by detecting movement of the second member. The first moving part moves the body until the state where the second member is combined with the first member is established. The second moving part displaces the body relative to the object in the state where the second member is combined with the first member.

Abstract: A wafer stocker capable of further improving an environment around wafers is provided. The wafer stocker includes a housing, a loading device provided on a front surface of the housing, a wafer cassette shelf arranged in the housing, a wafer transfer robot configured to move the wafers from a transfer container mounted on the loading device to a wafer cassette in the wafer cassette shelf, a wafer cassette delivery device configured to move the wafer cassette in the wafer cassette shelf to a stage having a different height, and a fan filter unit configured to generate a laminar flow in a wafer transfer space and in a wafer cassette transfer space.

Abstract: A method of unloading a modular home from a trailer includes extending a plurality of linear actuators coupled to overhanging portions of a modular home positioned on a bed of a trailer until the linear actuators lift the modular home off of the trailer, sending instructions to one or more crawlers to move under the modular home, retracting the linear actuators to lower the modular home such that a lower surface of the modular home rests on a platform positioned on each of the crawlers, sending instructions to the crawlers to move the modular home to an installation location, extending the linear actuators until the linear actuators lift the modular home off of the crawlers, sending instructions to the crawlers to move out from under the modular home, and retracting the linear actuators to lower the modular home to an installed height.

Abstract: A transport system in the form of a long-stator linear motor and method for operating a transport system in the form of a long-stator linear motor including a stator on which a plurality of magnetic-field-generating units is arranged and a plurality of transport units which are moved along the stator simultaneously. In an event of a system error in a part of the transport system, the method includes defining an error area on the stator that includes only a part of the stator with a defective part of the transport system, and transferring the magnetic-field-generating units within the defined error area to a specified error state.

Abstract: A system comprising a rig, a fingerboard, a first sensor, and a second sensor, with the first sensor positioned on an opposite side of the entrance from the second sensor, where the first sensor and the second sensor are used to detect when a tubular enters or exits the fingerboard and to detect a parameter of the tubular, such as diameter of the tubular, speed of the tubular, and an angle of entry of the tubular. A method comprising sensing, via first and second sensors, when a tubular is entering a fingerboard through an entrance of the fingerboard, restricting movement of a top drive at an elevated position until the first and second sensors sense the tubular entering the fingerboard, and enabling movement of the top drive when the first and second sensors sense the tubular entering the fingerboard.

Abstract: A mobile drip irrigation system includes a plurality of drip tubes anchored at a first end to a water supply conduit. As the mobile irrigation system travels across a surface to be watered a second, free end of each drip tube is pulled along the surface to provide precise and uniform water distribution through the drip tubes. A cable extending across each section of the mobile irrigation system is attached to the plurality of drip tubes within that section, with the cable movable via a winch mechanism to shift the position of the drip tubes within that section to correspondingly shift the drag path of the tubes to a desired location. In exemplary embodiments, a lower manifold distributes water to the drip tubes, and in further embodiments a support restraint provides support to the lower manifold.

Abstract: Implementations relate to a master control device. In some implementations, a master control device includes a control body comprising a proximal end, a thumb grip portion, and a finger grip portion. The control body has a length configured to engage the proximal end of the control body in the palm of a hand of the user while the hand engages the thumb grip portion with a thumb of the hand and the finger grip portion with a finger of the hand. The control body is configured to allow the proximal end of the control body to be selectively engaged by the palm of the hand and selectively disengaged from the palm of the hand while the hand engages the thumb grip portion with the thumb of the hand and the finger grip portion with the finger of the hand.

Abstract: In one example, a semiconductor device can comprise a unit substrate comprising a unit conductive structure and a unit dielectric structure, and an electronic component coupled to the unit conductive structure. The unit substrate can comprise a portion of a singulated subpanel substrate of a panel substrate. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods (200) for reducing vibrations in one or more rotor blades (120) of a wind turbine (160), when the wind turbine is in standstill conditions are provided. The method comprises measuring (201) one or more deformation parameters indicative of deformation of one or more blades (120), determining (202), at a dedicated controller (190) for an auxiliary drive system (20, 107), a vibration of one or more of the blades (120) based on the deformation parameters, wherein the dedicated controller (190) for the auxiliary drive system is separate from the wind turbine controller (180), and generating (203), at the dedicated controller (190), an output signal to operate the auxiliary drive system to reduce the vibration. Also disclosed are wind turbines (160) which comprise a dedicated controller (190) configured to determine a vibration and generating an output signal to reduce the vibration, when the wind turbine is in standstill conditions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lifting mechanism mounted on a lifting device, wherein the lifting device includes a carrying unit. The lifting mechanism is disposed under the carrying unit, and comprises a driving assembly and a lifting assembly. The driving assembly includes an axle fixing part, a drive wheel and a power source, and the lifting assembly includes a screw nut and a screw rod. An upper end of the screw rod is fixedly connected to the carrying unit. When the lifting mechanism is traveling, each drive wheel is in contact with a base surface and moves the lifting device on the base surface; and when lifting, each drive wheel rotates on the base surface to drive the screw nut to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the carrying unit, to drive the screw rod to lift the carrying unit along the vertical direction.

Abstract: Described is a tool and apparatus for positioning a blade for a wind turbine the wind turbine including a tower and a rotatable hub on the tower. The tool is mounted on a side of the tower so that the blade is supported on the tower in an initial configuration. The tool includes a first part arranged to be angularly movable relative to a second part for tilting the blade with respect to the tower to position the blade in a position that can allow the blade to be connected to the hub.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a thrust-up unit having a plurality of blocks in contact with a dicing tape, a head having a collet absorbing the die and capable of being moved up and down, and a control section controlling the operation of the thrust-up unit and the head. The thrust-up unit can operate each of the plurality of blocks independently. The control section configures the thrust-up sequences of the plurality of blocks in a plurality of steps, and controls the operation of the plurality of blocks on the basis of a time chart recipe capable of setting the height and the speed of the plurality of blocks for each block and in each step.

Abstract: A mobile drip irrigation system includes a plurality of drip tubes anchored at a first end to a water supply conduit. As the mobile irrigation system travels across a surface to be watered a second, free end of each drip tube is pulled along the surface to provide precise and uniform water distribution through the drip tubes. A cable extending across each section of the mobile irrigation system is attached to the plurality of drip tubes within that section, with the cable movable via a winch mechanism to shift the position of the drip tubes within that section to correspondingly shift the drag path of the tubes to a desired location. In exemplary embodiments, a lower manifold distributes water to the drip tubes, and in further embodiments a support restraint provides support to the lower manifold.

Abstract: An operation of calibrating the object using a reference reader is performed, the calibration operation including an operation of placing the reference reader at various distances away from the object that correspond to various values of a parameter within the object that is representative of the intensity of the signal received by the object, and, for each distance, an operation of determining an internal phase-shift compensation in the object with respect to a nominal internal phase shift, making it possible to obtain a load modulation amplitude that is higher, in terms of absolute value, than a threshold, and an operation of storing a lookup table of the various values of the parameter and the corresponding internal phase-shift compensations.

Abstract: A system for parcel transport and tracking that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a plurality of geographically spaced repositories. The exemplary repositories include one or more enclosed compartments. Access to each of the enclosed compartments is controlled by a respective door which is in operative connection with a respective lock. Central system circuitry is in operative connection with the repositories and is operative to control access to the compartments and to cause compartments to be selectively accessible so that selected parcels may be placed therein or removed therefrom by persons authorized to access such parcels. In exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry is operative to determine bundles of parcels to be transported between respective repositories to facilitate the delivery of parcels at the respective delivery locations.

Abstract: A system for parcel transport and tracking that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a plurality of geographically spaced repositories. The exemplary repositories include a plurality of enclosed compartments. Access to each of the enclosed compartments is controlled by a respective door which is in operative connection with a respective lock. Central system circuitry is in operative connection with the repositories and is operative to control access to the compartments and to cause compartments to be selectively accessible so that selected parcels may be placed therein or removed therefrom by authorized item handlers. The exemplary central system circuitry is further operative to make determinations concerning handling of a plurality of parcels together in respective bundles to facilitate the timely and cost-effective transport of the parcels between repositories.

Abstract: A system for parcel transport and tracking that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a plurality of geographically spaced repositories. The exemplary repositories include a plurality of enclosed compartments. Access to each of the enclosed compartments is controlled by a respective door which is in operative connection with a respective lock. Central system circuitry is in operative connection with the repositories and is operative to control access to the compartments and to cause compartments to be selectively accessible so that selected parcels may be placed therein or removed therefrom by authorized item handlers.

Abstract: A trailer system for a vehicle includes a trailer having a trailer body, wheels, and a trailer tongue for hitching the trailer to a towing vehicle. A rear end of the trailer body is pivotally and detachably attachable at a rear of the vehicle. When attached at the rear of the vehicle, the trailer is pivotable between a stowed position, where the trailer is vertically oriented along the rear of the vehicle, and a lowered position, where the trailer is lowered such that the wheels are at the ground. When attached at the rear of the vehicle and in the stowed position, the front end of the trailer body is at or near an upper region of the vehicle. When attached and in the lowered position, the trailer functions to allow items to be unloaded from the vehicle and onto the trailer body.

Abstract: A hand grip apparatus for receiving operator input includes a body having a proximal end and a distal interface end for coupling to an input apparatus. A first control lever is attached to the body and extends away from the proximal end and terminates in a finger grip for receiving one of the operator's fingers. A second control lever is attached to the body and extends away from the proximal end terminating in a thumb grip for receiving the operator's thumb. Movement of at least one of the control levers is operable to produce a first control signal representing the movement. An input control is included on the body between the grip ends and has an actuator surface angled towards the finger grip end and configured to produce a second control signal in response to actuation by one of the operator's fingers.

Abstract: A lifting system for a vehicle including a powered winch, a telescopic hoist, jib, or arm and an attachment means on the vehicle for allowing the hoist arm to be pivotally adjusted. The attachment means is provided as a mounting plate which is mounted beneath the vehicle. The mounting plate includes receiving sections that receive a bottom distal end of the telescopic hoist arm. The hoist arm then upwardly extends from the bottom of the mounting plate and is supported to the vehicle using straps. Furthermore, the winch is provided as an integral part of the vehicle which is then fed through to the hoist arm an received by a pulley member located on a distal top end of the hoist arm. The winch is then secured to an anchor which is adapted to receive a load to be transported by the lifting system.

Abstract: A hand grip apparatus for receiving operator input includes a body having a proximal end and a distal interface end for coupling to an input apparatus. A first control lever is attached to the body and extends away from the proximal end and terminates in a finger grip for receiving one of the operator's fingers. A second control lever is attached to the body and extends away from the proximal end terminating in a thumb grip for receiving the operator's thumb. Movement of at least one of the control levers is operable to produce a first control signal representing the movement. An input control is included on the body between the grip ends and has an actuator surface angled towards the finger grip end and configured to produce a second control signal in response to actuation by one of the operator's fingers.

Abstract: The cargo liner is configured for use with a cargo carrying vehicle. The cargo liner is a protective structure that covers the supporting surface of the cargo carrying vehicle that supports the cargo. The cargo liner forms a protective barrier that prevents the cargo from damaging the supporting surface. The protective barrier formed by the cargo liner transfers the load of the cargo to the supporting surface of the cargo carrying vehicle that supports the cargo. The cargo liner is formed from a composite material. The cargo liner is temperature resistant. By temperature resistant is meant that has a melting point greater than 500 F (260 C). The composite material that forms the cargo liner has a structure selected from the group consisting of: a) a base structure; b) a flexible structure; and, c) a panel structure.

Abstract: In the manufacture of certain cosmetics packaging, small metal pans are used to carry the cosmetic material, and these are incorporated in cosmetics carriers. The cosmetic material is initially in a powder form that is compressed into the pan prior to the pan being assembled into a carrier A multi-pan insertion tool includes a control plate and one or more interface plates that can, in turn, be attached to the control plate. Each interface plate corresponds to a different pan configuration. The interface plate includes a plurality of protrusion sites that each correspond to a single pan. An air passage from each protrusion site passes through the tool to the valve on the control plate that is controlled by an operator (either open or closed). A vacuum hose is attached to the valve to create the necessary vacuum/suction. The operator can then use the tool to pick up multiple pans at once, using suction, and then deposit the pans into a press for powder loading and then compression of the powder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a substrate transfer system, which includes a main body, a tray cassette base, a tray aligner, a tray robot, a substrate cassette base, a substrate aligner, a substrate robot and a Bernoulli robot. The tray can be transferred to the tray aligner by the tray robot. The substrate can be transferred to the substrate aligner by the substrate robot. By the Bernoulli robot, the substrate can be transferred from the substrate aligner to the tray on the tray aligner.

Abstract: A mobile manufacturing platform including a control unit; a manufacturing unit operatively coupled to the control unit, the manufacturing unit configured to fabricate a component using an automated manufacturing process based on a three-dimensional solid model of the component; and a quality test unit operatively coupled to the control unit and configured to perform testing on one of the component and a sample of material used to fabricate the component; wherein the platform is configured for transport via a vehicle to a worksite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a robot is provided. In this robot, direct teaching can be performed while updating a position command on the basis of an applied external force. In the method and apparatus, a proximity region is set inside a boundary of an operation-allowed range of the robot, the proximity region being indicative of a proximity of the boundary. Stored is an external force applied when a monitoring point provided in the robot reaches the proximity region as a reference external force. And performed is comparing the reference external force with a current external force when a current position of the monitoring point is in the proximity region, to thereby determine a direction that facilitates movement away from the proximity region.

Abstract: A parked freight trailer stabilizer and restraint comprising: (a) a kingpin receiver configured to lock onto a kingpin of a parked freight trailer; (b) a jack operatively coupled to the kingpin receiver, the jack repositionable between a retracted position and an extended position; (c) a tail hold operatively coupled to the kingpin receiver, the tail hold repositionable between a stowed position and a restraining position, the tail hold configured to engage a ground mount; and, (d) a transport receiver configured to engage a transport vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for alleviating a load is provided. A support system is positioned at a nominal location with respect to an object. The support system comprises jacks and supports. Each of the supports is associated with one of the jacks. The object is positioned on the support system. The support system with the object is moved across a path. The height of each of the jacks is adjusted as the support system moves along the path to maintain a desired minimum load on each jack. Maintaining the desired minimum load prevents damage to the object.

Abstract: A method for transferring components from a transfer head to a receiving substrate is disclosed. The method includes monitoring signals indicative of a pitch mismatch between locations on the transfer head and locations on the receiving substrate and actuating at least one actuator based at least in part on the monitored signals to reduce the mismatch of the pitch of the locations on the transfer head and the locations on the receiving substrate.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck device includes: an electrostatic chuck part which incorporates an internal electrode for electrostatic attraction and has a placing surface on which a plate-like sample is placed; a base part which cools the electrostatic chuck part; and an adhesion layer which bonds the electrostatic chuck part and the base part to integrate the parts together, in which a first through-hole is provided in the electrostatic chuck part, a second through-hole that communicates with the first through-hole is provided in the base part, a tubular insulator is fixed in the second through-hole, an annular sealing member is sandwiched between the electrostatic chuck part and a distal end surface of the insulator, wherein the distal end surface is located on the electrostatic chuck part side of the insulator, and a tubular insulating wall member is located at the inner side of the sealing member in the radial direction.

Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.

Abstract: A system includes a casing running tool and a tubular measurement system coupled to an internal shaft of the casing running tool and configured to measure data indicative of a grappling force of the casing running tool on a tubular. The measured data indicative of the grappling force includes a number of turns of the internal shaft and/or a torque experienced by the internal shaft.

Abstract: The control system includes a first controller, a second controller, and a third controller. The third controller includes a first communication module, a second communication module, and a control processing module configured to output a first operation command for operating the first controlled object to the first controller via the first communication module, configured to output a second operation command for operating the second controlled object to the second controller via the second communication module, configured to acquire information on a current position of the first controlled object from the first controller via the first communication module, and configured to correct the second operation command on a basis of information on the current position of the first controlled object.

Abstract: Provided is a tool switching/holding device including: a base; a Y-axis slide base; a Y-axis actuator that moves the Y-axis slide base in a Y-axis direction; X-axis slide bases that are provided on the Y-axis slide base; tool mounting members that are provided on the X-axis slide bases and on which a tool is mounted; an X-axis actuator that selectively holds one of the tool mounting members and that moves the held tool mounting member in the X-axis direction; and retreating/locking sections that cause the tool mounting member other than the tool mounting member that is selectively held by the X-axis actuator to retreat to a position away from the X-axis actuator in the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction and that lock the retreating tool mounting member.

Abstract: A decoupling system includes a deflection plate configured for coupling across a low pressure orifice of a low pressure chamber. The deflection plate includes one or more vacuum pores extending through the deflection plate. A peeling flange is coupled with a remainder of the deflection plate at a compliant joint. A die profile opening extends from the compliant joint around the peeling flange in the shape of a die profile. The die profile opening separates the peeling flange from the remainder of the deflection plate. The peeling flange includes relaxed and peeling configurations configured to decouple a die from a die media. In the relaxed configuration the peeling flange is coincident with the remainder of the deflection plate. In the peeling configuration the peeling flange is deflected, and at least a portion of the flange is spaced from the remainder of the deflection plate.

Abstract: A method of leveling a parked freight trailer at a loading dock, the method comprising: (a) positioning a portable stabilizing device at least partially underneath a forward portion of the parked freight trailer; (b) positioning a lift associated with the portable stabilizing device to bear weight of the forward portion of the parked freight trailer; (c) reorienting the parked freight trailer so a floor of the parked freight trailer goes from a substantially non-parallel orientation to an approximately parallel orientation with respect to a floor of the loading dock by repositioning at least one of the jack and a landing gear of the parked freight trailer; and, (e) maintaining the lift in a weight bearing position while goods are at least one of unloaded from or loaded onto the parked freight trailer.

Abstract: A method for identifying objects by an autonomous robot. Images of a work environment are captured by an image sensor positioned on the autonomous robot. An object dictionary containing image data regarding a set of objects is preloaded into the system. Captured images are transmitted to an image processor that processes the images to generate feature vector and identify objects within the images by comparison to objects in the object dictionary. Upon identifying an object in an image as an object from the object dictionary, the system executes a set of preprogrammed responses, which may include altering a movement path to avoid colliding with or driving over the object.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system has a pump driven by an electrically powered motor. The pump pressurizes fluid which is piped into a wellbore to fracture a subterranean formation. The pump and motor are mounted on a trailer that is hitched to a tractor. A platform assembly is mounted onto the trailer, and which is selectively moveable between deployed and stowed configurations. The platform assembly includes a platform, a lateral rail assembly mounted to the platform, and gates on the forward and aft ends of the platform. The rail assembly and gates define a safety barrier to prevent operations personnel from falling off the platform. In the stowed configuration the platform assembly is anchored in place over wheels on the trailer. In the deployed configuration, the platform assembly provides work surface so that operations personnel can readily access the pump on the trailer.

Abstract: The assembly includes a tool with a stem having a first end having a projecting portion such as a ring, and a second end adapted to be engaged by lifting equipment. The assembly also includes a stem receiving portion formed in a wind turbine part to be lifted. The stem of the tool is adapted to be freely passed through the stem receiving portion until the first end of the stem is locked to the stem receiving portion, thereby preventing the stem from separating from the stem receiving portion when lifting the wind turbine part.

Abstract: Systems and methods for moving at least one load transporting apparatus may include the load transporting apparatus(es) configured to move in at least one direction, at least one feedback sensing device disposed on and/or within the load transporting apparatus where the sensing device obtains movement measurements of the load transporting apparatus, a first location to receive a pre-determined input, a second location to receive the movement measurement(s), and a processing circuit to compare the movement measurement(s) to the pre-determined input. In a non-limiting embodiment, a pre-loading system may prepare the load transporting apparatus for movement prior to moving or lifting a load by depressing at least one component of the load transporting apparatus.

Abstract: A method of leveling a parked semi-trailer at a loading dock, the method comprising: (a) positioning a portable stabilizing device at least partially underneath a forward portion of the parked semi-trailer; (b) positioning a lift associated with the portable stabilizing device to bear weight of the forward portion of the parked semi-trailer; (c) reorienting the parked semi-trailer so a floor of the parked semi-trailer goes from a substantially parallel orientation to an approximately non-parallel orientation with respect to a horizontal floor of the loading dock by repositioning at least one of the jack and a landing gear of the parked semi-trailer; and, (e) maintaining the lift in a weight bearing position while goods are at least one of unloaded from or loaded onto the parked semi-trailer.

Abstract: A blade attaching method is provided for a power generating apparatus which may include a blade, a hub having a blade attaching part, a bearing, a generator, and a pitch drive mechanism. The method may include, but is not limited to: a step of attaching a suspension device to the blade; a step of lifting the blade; a step of holding the blade so that the blade attaching part of the hub faces the blade root part of the; a step of rotating the blade attaching part by the pitch drive mechanism to a set angular position while holding the hub; and a step of fixing the blade to the hub after rotating the blade attaching part to the set angular position.

Abstract: A system for processing biological specimens mounted on microscope slides by adding and removing processing fluids from microscope slides by means of capillary action using a slide holder capable of holding multiple microscope slides, and a spacer positioned in between two slides of a slide pair to create a capillary gap. A capillary gap adjuster can be used to pinch and release one end of the slide pair to create a pulsatile action to mix the reagent within the capillary gap. The system may further include a reagent holder, an absorbent pad, a series of reagent baths, and an incubator for holding one or more slide holders.