Abstract: A bleed air control system is configured to vary the air pressure at the inlet of a gas turbine engine. The bleed air control system includes a first gas turbine engine configured to provide bleed air, a second gas turbine engine acting as an auxiliary power unit, and a bleed air control system configured to selectively provide bleed air from the first gas turbine engine to the second gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop and a burner mounted on the cooktop. At least one coupling member is coupled to the cooktop. A grate, a griddle, or a reversible griddle is selectively coupled to the at least one coupling member and is operable between a raised position and a lowered position when the grate, the griddle, or the reversible griddle, is engaged with the coupling member.

Abstract: A system for encapsulating electrodes for a battery includes lower path rollers, a conveyor frame, conveyor drives, a continuous track, and a heat press. The lower path rollers are operable to guide a first web of separator material along a lower web path. The conveyor frame supports the lower path rollers. The conveyor drives are supported on the conveyor frame. The continuous track is driven by the conveyor drives and is positioned beneath the lower web path. The continuous track includes conveyor magnets embedded within pallets. The magnets are operable to secure electrode material against the first web. The heat press is positioned above the continuous track and includes a heated surface configured to heat and press a second web of separator material against the first web to encapsulate at least a portion of the electrode material within the first web and the second web.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the haptic sensation of forces at a remote location. Groups of MEMS-based pressure sensors are combined into sensor arrays. In some embodiments, the pressure sensors are encased in silicone or other elastomeric substance to allow for routine use in the aqueous environment of the body. The sensor arrays may be housed in a bio-compatible material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic) and may be attached to a printed circuit board to allow the electrical signal generated by the sensors to be communicated to a user. The sensor arrays may be used with faceplates that directly interact with the target tissue or object. The faceplates may be rough, smooth, serrated, or any other texture. The present apparatuses and methods are particularly well suited for robotic surgery and may be used wherever haptic sensing of forces at a remote location is desired.

Abstract: A portable engine-generator is described having an engine and a generator coupled to the engine. An engine mount has a mounting plate coupled to the engine and also includes a frame. An outer housing surrounds the engine, generator and frame. At least one handle is coupled to the outer housing. The housing is defined in three sections; a lower section, a middle section and an upper section. The three housing sections are coupled to the frame.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the haptic sensation of forces at a remote location. Groups of MEMS-based pressure sensors are combined into sensor arrays. In some embodiments, the pressure sensors are encased in silicone or other elastomeric substance to allow for routine use in the aqueous environment of the body. The sensor arrays may be housed in a bio-compatible material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic) and may be attached to a printed circuit board to allow the electrical signal generated by the sensors to be communicated to a user. The sensor arrays may be used with faceplates that directly interact with the target tissue or object. The faceplates may be rough, smooth, serrated, or any other texture. The present apparatuses and methods are particularly well suited for robotic surgery and may be used wherever haptic sensing of forces at a remote location is desired.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the haptic sensation of forces at a remote location. Groups of MEMS-based pressure sensors are combined into sensor arrays. In some embodiments, the pressure sensors are encased in silicone or other elastomeric substance to allow for routine use in the aqueous environment of the body. The sensor arrays may be housed in a No-compatible material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic) and may be attached to a printed circuit board to allow the electrical signal generated by the sensors to be communicated to a user. The sensor arrays may be used with faceplates that directly interact with the target tissue or object. The faceplates may be rough, smooth, serrated, or any other texture. The present apparatuses and methods are particularly well suited for robotic surgery and may be used in wherever haptic sensing of forces at a remote location is desired.

Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members; a frame; and an operator area having an operator side and a passenger side. The utility vehicle further comprises a roll cage extending above the operator area; a front windshield coupled to the roll cage; and a rear windshield coupled to the roll cage. The utility vehicle further includes a roof latched to the roll cage, a first door hinged to the roll cage along the operator side, and a second door hinged to the roll cage along the passenger side. The couplings between the rear windshield and the roll cage, between the roof and the roll cage, and between the first and second doors and the roll cage each being free of a fastener. The front and rear windshields, the roof, and the first and second doors enclose the operator area.

Abstract: A portable engine-generator is described having an engine and a generator coupled to the engine. An engine mount has a mounting plate coupled to the engine and also includes a frame. An outer housing surrounds the engine, generator and frame. At least one handle is coupled to the outer housing. The housing is defined in three sections; a lower section, a middle section and an upper section. The three housing sections are coupled to the frame.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the haptic sensation of forces at a remote location. Groups of MEMS-based pressure sensors are combined into sensor arrays. In some embodiments, the pressure sensors are encased in silicone or other elastomeric substance to allow for routine use in the aqueous environment of the body. The sensor arrays may be housed in a No-compatible material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic) and may be attached to a printed circuit board to allow the electrical signal generated by the sensors to be communicated to a user. The sensor arrays may be used with faceplates that directly interact with the target tissue or object. The faceplates may be rough, smooth, serrated, or any other texture. The present apparatuses and methods are particularly well suited for robotic surgery and may be used in wherever haptic sensing of forces at a remote location is desired.

Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members; a frame; and an operator area having an operator side and a passenger side. The utility vehicle further comprises a roll cage extending above the operator area; a front windshield coupled to the roll cage; and a rear windshield coupled to the roll cage. The utility vehicle further includes a roof latched to the roll cage, a first door hinged to the roll cage along the operator side, and a second door hinged to the roll cage along the passenger side. The couplings between the rear windshield and the roll cage, between the roof and the roll cage, and between the first and second doors and the roll cage each being free of a fastener. The front and rear windshields, the roof, and the first and second doors enclose the operator area.

Abstract: A material transport system for conveying water softener salt to a water softener brine tank located within a structure is disclosed. The material transport system includes a loading hopper having a removable lid that is secured to or adjacent a wall of the structure. Salt is fed into the upper end of the loading hopper and travels through the hopper to the lower end of the hopper where a downwardly sloping gravity feed sleeve is connected to the loading hopper. The feed sleeve is formed of a non-corrosive material and extends from the loading hopper through floors and walls of the structure to a lower level of the structure. At its lower end, the feed sleeve is connected to a storage hopper suspended in the lower level of the structure by a hanging framework attached to the underside of a floor of the structure located directly above the storage hopper.

Abstract: A W-band waveguide variable controlled oscillator incorporating a capacitively coupled Gunn diode and varactor diode arranged in such a manner that adverse environmental conditions do not deleteriously effect the stability of the output of the oscillator. The Gunn diode is electrically connected to a waveguide chamber within the oscillator and includes a resonator electrically connected to its end cap. The resonator is electrically connected to a DC bias source by means of a DC bias filter and a wire inductor. Opposite and above the Gunn diode is a varactor assembly including a varactor diode, which is also electrically connected to a DC bias source through a DC bias filter. A variable coupling spacer within the varactor assembly adjusts the distance between the varactor diode and the Gunn diode such that the capacitive coupling between the two can be adjusted. In addition, an adjustable back-short is incorporated within the waveguide channel to adjust the power output of the oscillator.