Abstract: A portable steam generator includes a power source in a housing, a water tank in the housing, a heating element in the housing and configured to heat water in the water tank to produce steam using power from the power source, and a track on the housing configured to support the portable steam generator in an installation position and allow manual removal from the installation position. A pre-plumbed integrated bathroom panel includes a plumbing inlet configured to provide water to the panel, a water outlet connected to the plumbing inlet, a steam outlet connected to the plumbing inlet and a heating element, a sanitizing outlet connected to the plumbing inlet and an additive generator, valves for directing water from the plumbing inlet to the at least one water outlet, the at least one steam outlet, and the at least one sanitizing outlet, and a controller configured to operate at least the plurality of valves.

Abstract: A voice controlled device comprises a housing, a dock, a coupling mechanism, and a microphone. The dock is configured to connect the housing to a plurality of host appliances. The coupling mechanism is configured to receive an identification value indicative of docking between the voice controlled device and a currently connected host appliance of the plurality of host appliances. The microphone is configured to receive one or more voice inputs for the currently connected host appliance. A command is provided based on the one or more voice inputs and the identification value.

Abstract: A voice controlled device comprises a housing, a dock, a coupling mechanism, and a microphone. The dock is configured to connect the housing to a plurality of host appliances. The coupling mechanism is configured to receive an identification value indicative of docking between the voice controlled device and a currently connected host appliance of the plurality of host appliances. The microphone is configured to receive one or more voice inputs for the currently connected host appliance. A command is provided based on the one or more voice inputs and the identification value.

Abstract: A voice controlled device comprises a housing, a dock, a coupling mechanism, and a microphone. The dock is configured to connect the housing to a plurality of host appliances. The coupling mechanism is configured to receive an identification value indicative of docking between the voice controlled device and a currently connected host appliance of the plurality of host appliances. The microphone is configured to receive one or more voice inputs for the currently connected host appliance. A command is provided based on the one or more voice inputs and the identification value.

Abstract: A voice controlled device comprises a plurality of microphones, a communication interface, and a controller. The plurality of microphones are configured to receive voice inputs from one or more users for operation of the voice controlled device. The communication interface is configured to receive sensor data from an external device, the sensor data describing an environment of the voice controlled device. The controller is configured to operate a first subset of the plurality of microphones in response to first sensor data and a second subset of the plurality of microphones in response to second sensor data.

Abstract: A voice controlled device comprises a housing, a dock, a coupling mechanism, and a microphone. The dock is configured to connect the housing to a plurality of host appliances. The coupling mechanism is configured to receive an identification value indicative of docking between the voice controlled device and a currently connected host appliance of the plurality of host appliances. The microphone is configured to receive one or more voice inputs for the currently connected host appliance. A command is provided based on the one or more voice inputs and the identification value.

Abstract: A voice controlled device comprises a plurality of microphones, a communication interface, and a controller. The plurality of microphones are configured to receive voice inputs from one or more users for operation of the voice controlled device. The communication interface is configured to receive sensor data from an external device, the sensor data describing an environment of the voice controlled device. The controller is configured to operate a first subset of the plurality of microphones in response to first sensor data and a second subset of the plurality of microphones in response to second sensor data.

Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a multilayer dry adhesive system capable of reversible joining of rigid substrates.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, two panels of different materials may be bonded with a structural adhesive composition comprising microcapsules containing corrosion inhibiting materials for protecting the panels from corrosion. For example, a steel vehicle door outer panel may be bonded to an aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy inner panel using an epoxy adhesive. Dispersed within the uncured adhesive are an abundance of microcapsules filled with a fluid or mobile material for reacting with the iron and/or aluminum or magnesium to inhibit corrosion arising from the facing surfaces of the mixed metal panels. The protective material is released from the microcapsules for diffusion through the cured or uncured interfacial adhesive to react with one or both panel surfaces and form a protective coating on the surfaces.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a multilayer dry adhesive system capable of reversible joining of rigid substrates.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a multilayer dry adhesive system capable of reversible joining of rigid substrates.

Abstract: The bonding of polymeric panels with thermosetting adhesive compositions may lead to an unsightly image of the adhesive bond line on an external surface of the joined articles. This bond-line read-out is reduced or eliminated using an adhesive material with filler particles characterized by nanometer size clay platelets when the content of the filler particles does not exceed about five percent by volume of the uncured adhesive. Selective placement of the adhesive extending to the edges of the bonding surfaces of the polymeric members also reduces bond-line read-out.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a hollow tubular member to a cast member. The cast member has a hollow socket cavity. A body of uncured adhesive is positioned in either the hollow socket of the cast member or the hollow interior of the hollow tubular member. The hollow tubular member is inserted in the hollow cavity. The adhesive is forced to flow into the space between the outside of the tubular member and the socket of the cast member, and the adhesive is then cured.

Abstract: The bonding of polymeric panels with thermosetting adhesive compositions may lead to an unsightly image of the adhesive bond line on an external surface of the joined articles. This bond-line read-out is reduced or eliminated using an adhesive material with filler particles characterized by nanometer size clay platelets when the content of the filler particles does not exceed about five percent by volume of the uncured adhesive. Selective placement of the adhesive extending to the edges of the bonding surfaces of the polymeric members also reduces bond-line read-out.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, two panels of different materials may be bonded with a structural adhesive composition comprising microcapsules containing corrosion inhibiting materials for protecting the panels from corrosion. For example, a steel vehicle door outer panel may be bonded to an aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy inner panel using an epoxy adhesive. Dispersed within the uncured adhesive are an abundance of microcapsules filled with a fluid or mobile material for reacting with the iron and/or aluminum or magnesium to inhibit corrosion arising from the facing surfaces of the mixed metal panels. The protective material is released from the microcapsules for diffusion through the cured or uncured interfacial adhesive to react with one or both panel surfaces and form a protective coating on the surfaces.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a multilayer dry adhesive system capable of reversible joining of rigid substrates.

Abstract: a water softening system includes a water softening resin tank, an anion resin tank in flow communication with the water softening resin tank, an in-line water heater in flow communication with the water softening resin tank and a heat exchanger in flow communication with the in-line heater. A water heater is in flow communication with the heat exchanger and the in-line heater. A plurality of flow control valves are operatively connected to the water heater heat exchanger, in-line water heater, anion resin tank, and water softening resin tank. The flow control valves are configured to control the flow of water through the water softening system.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a hollow tubular member to a cast member. The cast member has a hollow socket cavity. A body of uncured adhesive is positioned in either the hollow socket of the cast member or the hollow interior of the hollow tubular member. The hollow tubular member is inserted in the hollow cavity. The adhesive is forced to flow into the space between the outside of the tubular member and the socket of the cast member, and the adhesive is then cured.