Abstract: A seal and vent assembly for a constant velocity joint including a vent plate for being disposed in a compartment of the constant velocity joint. The vent plate defines a mounting aperture. A vent valve is received in the mounting aperture for sealing the compartment of the constant velocity joint. The vent valve has a body portion extending along an axis and received by the mounting aperture and a rim portion extending from the body portion into engagement with, and biased against the vent plate. The vent valve defines a chamber between the rim portion, the body portion and the vent plate. A venting channel fluidly connects the chamber of the vent valve and the compartment of the constant velocity joint. The vent plate defines the at least one venting channel.

Abstract: A low-cost process is provided to render lignocellulosic biomass accessible to cellulase enzymes, to produce fermentable sugars. Some variations provide a process to produce ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass (such as sugarcane bagasse or corn stover), comprising introducing a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock to a single-stage digestor; exposing the feedstock to a reaction solution comprising steam or liquid hot water within the digestor, to solubilize the hemicellulose in a liquid phase and to provide a cellulose-rich solid phase; refining the cellulose-rich solid phase, together with the liquid phase, in a mechanical refiner, thereby providing a mixture of refined cellulose-rich solids and the liquid phase; enzymatically hydrolyzing the mixture in a hydrolysis reactor with cellulase enzymes, to generate fermentable sugars; and fermenting the fermentable sugars to produce ethanol. Many alternative process configurations are described.

Abstract: A process for producing an organic aliphatic product (such as butanol) from lignocellulosic biomass is provided, comprising: (a) fractionating lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of a solvent for lignin, a hydrolysis catalyst, and water, to produce a liquor containing hemicellulose, cellulose-rich solids, and lignin; (b) washing the cellulose-rich solids and separating the cellulose-rich solids from the liquor; (c) enzymatically hydrolyzing the cellulose-rich solids to generate a hydrolysate comprising glucose; (d) detoxifying the hydrolysate by neutralizing the hydrolysate, removing insoluble solids, and removing or oxidizing residual hydrolysis catalyst, thereby generating a purified hydrolysate; (e) fermenting the purified hydrolysate using a suitable microorganism to produce a dilute organic aliphatic product, wherein the microorganism is recycled with a membrane; (f) extracting the dilute organic aliphatic product into a water-immiscible extractant, to generate an intermediate material; and (g) disti

Abstract: A center bearing assembly for a multi-piece propeller shaft includes a stud yoke extending along an axis A between first and second stud yoke ends to define a central stub shaft rotatable about the axis A. A rotatable weld collar is operably connected to the second stud yoke end of the central stub shaft for simultaneous rotation therewith. The rotatable weld collar includes a body extending from a first collar end disposed adjacent the central stub shaft to a second collar end to define an exterior surface. A tuned damper extends radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the rotatable weld collar for reducing noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) generated during operation of the multi-piece propeller shaft. A first shaft segment is operably connected to the rotatable weld collar and a second shaft segment is operably connected to the stud yoke for transferring a rotational force therebetween.

Abstract: A battery cell monitoring system and method of operating the battery cell monitoring system are provided. The system includes a sense line. A plurality of cell sense units each include a tank circuit having a center frequency and are electrically connected to the sense line. A cell sense reader unit electrically couples to the sense line and includes a variable frequency radio frequency generator for outputting a radio frequency signal having a signal frequency that is variable to the plurality of cell sense units. The cell sense reader unit measures an impedance of the sense line as the signal frequency varies and determines the center frequency of each of the cell sense units. The cell sense reader unit is also configured to determine a cell voltage of each battery cell electrically connected to one of the plurality of cell sense units based on the center frequency determined.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for capping a plurality of bottles enclosed and sealed in a plastic bag. The method comprises disposing the plurality of bottles in a tray in a predetermined array such that caps, disposed in a plate can be displaced for convenient capping in a single step. Ratchet tools are disclosed for facile threading of caps to bottles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and composition for control of plant pathogens. Isolated bacteria, deposited with ATCC under the Budapest Treaty, are effective to control plant pathogens.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electric motor including a rotor supported by a lubricant upon a stator with a plurality of stator poles and stator windings includes monitoring a radial position and rotor angle of the rotor by a controller. The system includes generating adjustments by the controller to cause the stator poles to apply a net radial force to the rotor. This net radial force may be used, for example to cause the rotor to be centered upon a central axis of the electric motor and may be particularly advantageous for a lubricant supported rotor. A motor drive provides an AC current to the stator windings as well as phase current adjustments of the electrical current in one or more of the stator windings to apply the net radial force to the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using video/still images captured by continuously recording optical sensors mounted on waste collection vehicles used in in the waste collection, disposal and recycling industry for operational and customer service related purposes. Optical sensors are integrated into the in-cab monitor as well as the onboard computer, digital video recorder and other external devices.

Abstract: Some variations provide a method of enzymatically converting biomass-derived cellulose to glucose, comprising exposing the biomass-derived cellulose to (i) cellulase enzymes, to hydrolyze the cellulose to glucose; and (ii) an external sulfur-containing compound, to deter bacterial and/or yeast contamination during cellulose hydrolysis. In some embodiments, the sulfur-containing compound includes sulfur dioxide or lignosulfonates. When the sulfur-containing compound includes lignosulfonates, the lignosulfonates may also function as an enzyme surfactant to assist hydrolysis, in addition to deterring bacterial and/or yeast growth/contamination. This method may be applied to cellulose-rich solids obtained from the AVAP® fractionation process, the GREEN POWER+® pretreatment process, or any other source of cellulose-rich solids.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly includes an outer race having a first bore defined by an inner surface of the outer race. A ball cage has an outer surface and a second bore defined by an inner surface of the ball cage. The ball cage is axially received in the first bore of the outer race. At least one of the inner surface of the outer race or the inner surface the ball cage includes a first portion having a cylindrical contour and a second portion having a spherical contour.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity, hydrophobic cellulose. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and depositing lignin onto cellulose fibers to produce lignin-coated cellulose materials (such as dissolving pulp). The crystallinity of the cellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the hydrophobic cellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using video/still images captured by continuously recording optical sensors mounted on waste collection vehicles used in in the waste collection, disposal and recycling industry for operational and customer service related purposes. Optical sensors are integrated into the in-cab monitor as well as the onboard computer, digital video recorder and other external devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using video/still images captured by continuously recording optical sensors mounted on waste collection vehicles used in in the waste collection, disposal and recycling industry for operational and customer service related purposes. Optical sensors are integrated into the in-cab monitor as well as the onboard computer, digital video recorder and other external devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises methods and compositions comprising an extracted mineral element composition to modulate muscle and/or bone loss, or deleterious muscle tone change.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and composition for control of plant pathogens. Isolated bacteria, deposited with ATCC under the Budapest Treaty, are effective to control plant pathogens.

Abstract: A disposable filter including an integrated sensor is provided for filtering a working fluid and monitoring the working fluid and/or the performance of the filter. The filter includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet with filter media disposed within the housing in a flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet. The integrated sensor is disposed within the housing, where the integrated sensor monitors a characteristic of the working fluid or other performance characteristic of the filter. The sensor assembly may include a communication module. The sensor assembly may include a RF tank circuit with a capacitor plate, which may be disposed adjacent a bypass structure that is disposed adjacent the outlet. Movement of a moveable part of the bypass structure in response to a pressure buildup will cause a shift in a resonant frequency of the tank circuit.

Abstract: Mineral, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, and other compositions are produced using a mineral composition containing minimal concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury and containing relatively high concentrations of micro and macro mineral elements, of rare earth elements, of calcium, and of silica. The mineral concentrations are produced by processing naturally occurring clay soil to concentrate mineral elements naturally occurring in the soil.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes a shaft and an inner race coupled to the shaft. The inner race has a shaft groove formed thereon. A boot assembly engages the shaft and covers the inner race. A pair of grooves is axially formed in the boot assembly. The shaft groove provides communication between the pair of grooves.

Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly comprises a first rotary component having a first splined portion and a first engaging surface arranged transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first rotary component and spaced from the first splined portion and a second rotary component having a second splined portion configured to engage the first splined portion. The second splined portion defines a second engaging surface arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first rotary component. A shear component is disposed between the first engaging surface of the first rotary component and the second engaging surface of the second rotary component. The shear component forms a crash feature of the propeller shaft assembly configured to shear at an edge of the second engaging surface when the first shear component is compressed between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface.