Abstract: A method of monitoring movement of a robotic arm, the robotic arm being arranged to be moved by an actuator, the method comprising: determining an expected robotic arm condition based on a known robotic condition and a torque applied to the robotic arm by the actuator; measuring an actual robotic arm condition during movement of the arm caused by the applied torque; and determining whether a collision has occurred by comparing the actual robotic arm condition with the expected robotic arm condition and generating a collision signal if a difference between the actual robotic arm condition and the expected robotic arm condition exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system comprising one or more battery modules mounted in a rack assembly has a structure which defines a cooling air pathway for flowing cooling air across the side and/or bottom of each battery module thereby cooling the battery module, or alternatively, across the energy calls in the battery module. Further, the system has a structure which defines a thermal runaway gas pathway for flowing thermal runaway gases from a battery module out of the system. The system structure is configured to ensure that the cooling air pathway and thermal runaway gas pathway are physically separated, thereby minimizing the risk of the thermal runaway gas substantially mixing with cooling air thereby potentially resulting in a spontaneous ignition and an explosion.

Abstract: A magnetic biasing assembly comprising: an inner element comprising: a north polarised inner arc, and a south polarised inner arc disposed axially adjacent to the north polarised inner arc, and an outer element arranged to rotate relative to the inner element about an axis, the inner and outer elements being substantially concentric, the outer element comprising: a north polarised outer arc, and a south polarised outer arc disposed axially adjacent to the north polarised outer arc, wherein the inner and outer polarised arcs are arranged so as to have a stable equilibrium position and are arranged to exert a magnetic moment between the inner and outer elements in a direction towards the stable equilibrium position when the inner and outer elements are not in the stable equilibrium position.

Abstract: An optically communicative battery management system includes a pack controller and one or more module controllers optically coupled to the pack controller. The module controllers may themselves be optically coupled together in series, and communication from an upstream module controller may be relayed through one or more downstream controllers en route to the pack controller. The pack controller may also send an optical signal that is used by the pack controller to determine whether any one or more of the battery modules is experiencing a safety fault, and the communication channel used to transmit that optical signal may, absent any safety faults, be used to multiplex message data to the module controllers.

Abstract: A cell carrier includes a phase change material compartment containing phase change material. The phase change material has a phase transition temperature between a normal operating temperature of the battery cell and a self-heating point of the battery cell, and the phase change material transitions from a solid state to a liquid state or from a liquid state to a gaseous state when heated to the phase transition temperature.

Abstract: An optically communicative battery management system includes a pack controller and one or more module controllers optically coupled to the pack controller. The module controllers may themselves be optically coupled together in series, and communication from an upstream module controller may be relayed through one or more downstream controllers en route to the pack controller. The pack controller may also send an optical signal that is used by the pack controller to determine whether any one or more of the battery modules is experiencing a safety fault, and the communication channel used to transmit that optical signal may, absent any safety faults, be used to multiplex message data to the module controllers.

Abstract: A system comprising one or more battery modules mounted in a rack assembly has a structure which defines a cooling air pathway for flowing cooling air across the side and/or bottom of each battery module thereby cooling the battery module, or alternatively, across the energy calls in the battery module. Further, the system has a structure which defines a thermal runaway gas pathway for flowing thermal runaway gases from a battery module out of the system. The system structure is configured to ensure that the cooling air pathway and thermal runaway gas pathway are physically separated, thereby minimizing the risk of the thermal runaway gas substantially mixing with cooling air thereby potentially resulting in a spontaneous ignition and an explosion.

Abstract: A patient support including a pressure adjustable mattress system. The pressure adjustable mattress system includes a support surface and a controller to control the pressure of the support surface.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a mattress having a plurality of vertically-oriented inflatable bladders and a pneumatic box located inside the mattress. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a plurality of pressure sensors positioned underneath the bladders. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes one or more filler portions that are selectable so that the patient support may conform to bed frames having different deck configurations.

Abstract: A lack of patient movement monitor and method. The monitor and method patient support includes a plurality of sensors located beneath a patient support to determine movement of a patient. An alarm is activated when patient movement over time is determined to be lacking.

Abstract: A patient support having real time pressure control. The patient support includes a plurality of sensors located beneath a bladder including a plurality of upright cylindrical elements. The pressure within the bladder is controlled based on the pressure or force sensed by the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a mattress having a plurality of vertically-oriented inflatable bladders and a pneumatic box located inside the mattress. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a plurality of pressure sensors positioned underneath the bladders. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes one or more filler portions that are selectable so that the patient support may conform to bed frames having different deck configurations.

Abstract: This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented or substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a plurality of pressure sensors positioned underneath the bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes one or more filler portions that are selectable so that the patient support may conform to bed frames having different deck configurations.

Abstract: A lack of patient movement monitor and method. The monitor and method patient support includes a plurality of sensors located beneath a patient support to determine movement of a patient. An alarm is activated when patient movement over time is determined to be lacking.

Abstract: A lack of patient movement monitor and method. The monitor and method patient support includes a plurality of sensors located beneath a patient support to determine movement of a patient. An alarm is activated when patient movement over time is determined to be lacking.

Abstract: A body support such as a cushion, mattress, chair or the like has at least one inflatable air chamber. A pressure sensor senses interface pressures at different locations on a surface of the air chamber. Indicators derived from the interface pressures indicate the onset of a trend toward bottoming out. A controller controls air pressure within the air chamber based at least in part on values of the indicators. The controller may be implemented as a state machine.

Abstract: This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented on substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a plurality of pressure sensors positioned underneath the bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes one or more filler portions that are selectable so that the patient support may conform to bed frames having different deck configurations.

Abstract: The invention provides a bed occupant monitoring system comprising a pressure sensitive member attached to a support member for supporting a bed occupant, the pressure sensitive member comprising a plurality of pressure sensors. Each of the pressure sensors is configured to provide a reflected wave energy pressure signal by reflecting incident wave energy with an intensity which varies with a pressure applied to the sensor. A pair of fibres are coupled to each pressure sensor, each pair of fibres comprising an input fibre and an output fibre. The fibres are coupled to interface electronics comprising a wave energy source coupled to the input fibre of each of the pairs of fibres for providing the applied light energy, and, a wave energy detector coupled to the output fibre of each of the pairs of fibres for converting the scattered light energy into an electrical signal.

Abstract: This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented on substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a plurality of pressure sensors positioned underneath the bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes one or more filler portions that are selectable so that the patient support may conform to bed frames having different deck configurations.

Abstract: An input device has a flexible surface on which are formed deflection sensors. The flexible surface can be deformed against an adjacent resilient layer. The deflection sensors detect the deflection of the surface. Electronic circuits for processing signals from the deflection sensors to yield information regarding the locations and magnitudes of forces deflecting the surface may be deposited all, or in part on the flexible surface. The input device may be combined with a display to yield a touch-sensitive display suitable for use in a wide range of applications.