Abstract: A polymer masonry unit (PMU) and methods and systems for forming PMUs are presented. In embodiments, a PMU may be made from a PMU mixture of a polymer, a quarry byproduct, such as a limestone aggregate, and water. The PMU may be ambient-dried to become a brick unit. The proportions of the PMU mixture may include 1-10% polymer, 80-90% quarry byproduct, and 1-10% water. The process for making a brick using the PMU of embodiments may avoid a kiln-firing process, which is costly, creates waste, and consumes significant energy. Furthermore, the PMU mixture may be formulated to enable the PMU mixture to be extruded from an extruder, enabling a system for making bricks to take advantage of the extrusion method, which can be very efficient and cost-effective for making bricks, and which is currently not possible with existing techniques and systems.

Abstract: A utility cart includes a stored energy device that can be in the form of a Lithium Ion battery pack. The battery pack can include a main power output useful to drive high voltage components as well as the electric motor for motive power. The battery pack can also include one or more auxiliary outputs useful to provide auxiliary power to various other components. The auxiliary outputs can be either low and/or high voltage outputs. An auxiliary DC/DC output can be used to step down high voltage of the Lithium ion battery pack to lower voltages. A motor controller supply can also be provided as an auxiliary output to provide some power to a motor controller.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes an electric motor constructed to provide motive power to the utility vehicle; a lithium ion battery pack coupled to the electric motor at a first voltage and operative to provide electrical power at the first voltage to the electric motor for driving the utility vehicle, the lithium ion battery pack including a DC/DC converter constructed to output electrical power at a second voltage; and a vehicle control module (VCM) coupled to the DC/DC converter, constructed to operate at the second voltage and constructed to control at least some operations of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes an electric motor constructed to provide motive power to the utility vehicle; a lithium ion battery pack coupled to the electric motor at a first voltage and operative to provide electrical power at the first voltage to the electric motor for driving the utility vehicle, the lithium ion battery pack including a DC/DC converter constructed to output electrical power at a second voltage; and a vehicle control module (VCM) coupled to the DC/DC converter, constructed to operate at the second voltage and constructed to control at least some operations of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: A utility cart includes a stored energy device that can be in the form of a Lithium Ion battery pack. The battery pack can include a main power output useful to drive high voltage components as well as the electric motor for motive power. The battery pack can also include one or more auxiliary outputs useful to provide auxiliary power to various other components. The auxiliary outputs can be either low and/or high voltage outputs. An auxiliary DC/DC output can be used to step down high voltage of the Lithium ion battery pack to lower voltages. A motor controller supply can also be provided as an auxiliary output to provide some power to a motor controller.

Abstract: A retractable covering for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a head rail and support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. The support structure, vanes and operating elements are adapted to be wrapped around a roller in the head rail in a retracted position of the covering and unwrapped in an extended position. An inhibitor system is incorporated into the covering to permit automatic opening of the vanes when the support structure, vanes and operating elements reach an extended position.

Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.