Other

University of Hawai'i

Quantum Conveyor Systems, Inc.

William Pong

Hans J Lem

Edward Fredkin

Grover J Liese

A conveyor system ( ) for transporting items in a first direction and diverting the items to the appropriate ones of a plurality of stations ( ) spaced from one another in the first direction. The system includes at least one diverter region (DR) and a diverter ( ) arranged in each diverter region. Each diverter diverts items transported by the conveyor to the appropriate ones of the stations in response to corresponding fire signals. The conveyor system further includes a source of destination information ( ) identifying the stations to which the items transported by the conveyor are to be diverted. The conveyor system also includes a controller system ( ) connected to each diverter and the source for generating, and providing to each diverter, the fire signal for each item transported by the conveyor based on destination information from the source regarding to which one of the stations the item is to be diverted.

Multi-fire and variable fire diverter conveyor system and method

A conveyor system ( ) for transporting items in a first direction and diverting the items to one of a plurality of stations ( ). The system comprises at least one diverter region (DR), and a diverter ( ) arranged in the one of the at least one diverter regions. The diverter diverts the items transported by the conveyor in the first direction to one of the plurality of stations ( - and - ) adjacent said diverter that are spaced from one another in the first direction, when positioned in a diverter region of the conveyor, in response to a fire signal. The conveyor system further includes a source of destination information ( ) identifying one of the plurality of stations to which the items transported by the conveyor are to be diverted. The conveyor system also includes a controller system ( ) connected to the at least one diverter and the source for generating, and providing to said at least one diverter, a fire signal for each item transported by the conveyor based on destination information from the source regarding which one of the plurality of stations the item is to be diverted. Further, the conveyor system is capable of activating the diverter so as to divert items when the item is aligned with either a central axis (A) or a divert axis (B), as a function of item length L .

An automatic refueling station and method detects the arrival of a vehicle to be refueled at the refueling station. Upon detection of the vehicle, the vehicle is polled by the station to obtain information from the vehicle which identifies the vehicle and the customer associated with the vehicle. The information is stored on an identification transponder or tag affixed to the vehicle windshield. The system uses the identifying information to access a vehicle database and a customer database. The vehicle database can provide information about the vehicle such as the location of the vehicle's fuel filler opening, the size of the vehicle and other information related to a recommended fuel filling rate for the vehicle. The customer identifying information is used to access the customer database to obtain information such as customer billing information and the amount of fuel being purchased. Using the data retrieved from the databases, a refueling module can locate the fuel filler opening and refuel the vehicle at a optimum fuel rate. A network of sensors deployed in the refueling area facilitate the refueling procedure. A vision system aides in locating the fuel filler opening and guiding the fuel filler nozzle to the opening. Other sensors such as force, torque, infrared, sonar, magnetic and hall effect sensors aide in guiding the nozzle into a docking position with the vehicle. Other sensors in the area provide monitoring of the area to prevent hazards such as collisions between vehicles and persons and criminal activity in the area.

Automatic refueling station

A method for inspecting masks used in x-ray lithography is described. An x-ray lithography mask is placed over a glass surface, followed by exposure of the mask and glass surface to soft x-rays. Portions of the mask absorb the soft x-rays while other portions of the mask, corresponding to circuit elements, allow the soft x-rays to strike the glass surface. The soft x-rays striking the glass surface cause the glass surface to darken, thereby forming an image of the circuit pattern in the glass surface corresponding to the stenciled circuit in the mask. An inspection of the image can reveal any defects in the x-ray lithography mask.

Method of soft x-ray imaging

A fiber-optic stylet is provided for use with a surgical or diagnostic type needle. The stylet comprises an elongated flexible or rigid casing which is adapted to be inserted into the body of a human or animal. It also includes at least one transmitting light fiber having a bevelled end which extends to a first end of the casing and that conforms to that of the needle. A second, receiving light fiber has a bevelled end and is also positioned within the casing, also having its bevelled end located at the first end of the needle. The second fiber-optic element is generally cylindrical and has a reflective surface thereon which is located adjacent to the bevelled end of the light fiber. The apparatus is used to precisely determine the area in which a needle is positioned within a body during a diagnostic or surgical procedure.

Growing community of inventors

Concord, MA, United States of America

William Pong