Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for predicting, detecting or mitigating motion sickness of one or more occupants of a vehicle. Also, disclosed are systems and methods for measuring aspects of head motion and characteristics of at least one eye an occupant of a vehicle and using that information mitigate motion sickness.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses an active seating system that includes a load leveling mechanism. The load leveling mechanism includes a force bias actuator assembly, a roll actuator assembly, a heave actuator assembly, a first torsion rod connected to the force bias actuator and the roll actuator, and a second torsion rod connected to the force bias actuator and the heave actuator. Each of the force bias actuator assembly, roll actuator assembly, and heave actuator assemblies comprises a housing, a DC motor disposed within the housing, and a ball screw with a driveshaft, the driveshaft of the ball screw being coaxial with a rotor of the DC motor. The active seating system also includes a seat top and an interface configured to mount the seat top to the load leveling mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments related to active seat suspensions as well as their methods of operation are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, a failure state of an active seat suspension may be detected after which operation of one or more actuators of the active seat suspension may be limited in response to the detected failure state. In another embodiment, a crash or imminent crash of a vehicle may be detected and an active seat suspension may be operated to lower a seat connected thereto to lower the seat toward an underlying portion of the vehicle. In yet another embodiment, operation of an active seat suspension may be limited to reduce a temperature of the active seat suspension when a rate of change and/or a magnitude of a sensed temperature of an actuator of an active seat suspension is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments related to systems and methods for controlling the relative amounts of rotation and heave motions applied to a seat by an active seat suspension system are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining nanostructures, specifically nanoemulsions and nanocapsules of carotenoids such as curcumin and astaxanthin. This method—using particular concentrations of the ingredients forming the nanostructures—allows high association efficiencies of the active ingredient in the nanostructures containing these ingredients and protection of these nanostructures from environmental factors such as oxidation and light. The invention also relates to the nanoemulsions and nanocapsules of curcumin and astaxanthin for use in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, among others.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the removal and replacement of the used drill bit after each perforation through casing, cement, and into rock while using a flexible drive shaft. This apparatus involves both a bayonet-style "quick connector" between the flexible shaft and the drill bit and a cartridge that holds the drill bits while they await their turn to be used. The apparatus also has a means for indexing the cartridge so that the flexible shaft can have access to each of the drill bits in the cartridge. The method disclosed involves the process of connecting the flexible shaft to the drill bit at the start of the perforating process, the disconnecting of the used bit at the end of the perforation, and the indexing of the cartridge so that the next drill bit is in line with the flexible shaft for the next perforation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for applying thrust (weight on bit) to a drill bit when drilling with a flexible drilling shaft while creating perforations in a cased well. The thrust is applied directly to the drill bit instead of applying it to the drill bit through the flexible drilling shaft. A support bracket is also in contact with a piston and is in slidable contact with the tool housing. A portion of the piston is positioned inside a chamber in the housing and is slidably attached to the chamber walls. As hydraulic fluid flows into the chamber opposite the piston, the piston is forced toward the drill bit. As the piston moves toward the drill bit, force is exerted on the support bracket which causes the bracket to move toward the drill bit. This force is transferred to the drill bit during the drilling process, thereby supplying the force (weight on bit) needed by the drill bit to effectively drill through a desired material.

Abstract: A highly stable free iodine iodophor composition useful as a bactericide or fungicide comprising: (a) an ether-nonyl polyglycol ethoxylate having an ethylene oxide mole number greater than 4; (b) elemental iodine; (c) potassium iodine; (d) water; and (e) optionally, any other agriculturally acceptable liquid carrier or diluent.