Abstract: A corrosion monitoring system includes one or more objects coupled to respective portions of a transformer tank. The one or more objects are configured to corrode before the respective portions of the transformer tank. At least one optical sensor is coupled to each of the objects. The at least one optical sensor has an optical output that changes in response to strain of the object. An analyzer is coupled to the at least one optical sensor. The analyzer is configured to perform one or more of detecting and predicting corrosion of the transformer tank based on the output of the at least one optical sensor.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to a grounds maintenance vehicle. The grounds maintenance vehicle has an engine and an engine shroud defining a cooling volume around the engine. The shroud defines a shroud intake. An engine oil conduit extends from the engine and a heat exchanger is coupled to the engine oil conduit.

Abstract: A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat may include a pair of recliner hearts and a cross rod. Each of the recliner hearts includes a first plate and a second plate that is selectively rotatable relative to the first plate to recline a seatback relative to a seat bottom of the vehicle seat. The cross rod extends between the recliner hearts and is received in hubs of the recliner hearts. The cross rod transmits torque between the hubs. The cross rod includes ridges that are angularly spaced apart from each other. Each of the ridges includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an end wall extending between the first and second sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls are defined by first and second axes that extend radially outward. The first and second axes are angled such that they do not converge with each other as they extend radially outward.

Abstract: A recliner heart includes a first locking plate, a second locking plate, a hub, a pair of wedges, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first locking plate includes first teeth. The second locking plate is rotatable relative to the first locking plate and includes second teeth. The first biasing member is configured to apply a first biasing force to the wedges. The second biasing member is configured to apply a second biasing force to the wedges. The hub is rotatable between a first position in which the first and second biasing forces are applied to the wedges to restrict rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate, and a second position in which the first biasing force applied to one wedge of the wedges is reduced to allow rotation of the second locking plate relative to the first locking plate.

Abstract: A gearbox for a vehicle seat adjustment mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure includes first and second portions. The first portion includes a first body defining a first longitudinal recess and a first peripheral recess in fluid communication with the first longitudinal recess. The first body includes a concave first curved surface. The second portion includes a second body defining a second longitudinal recess and a second peripheral recess in fluid communication with the second longitudinal recess. The second body includes a convex second curved surface. The second curved surface has an equal and opposite curvature compared to the first curved surface. In an assembled configuration, the first and second curved surfaces are in contact, the first longitudinal and second longitudinal recesses cooperate to define a longitudinal passage, and the first and second peripheral recesses communicate to define a peripheral receptacle.

Abstract: The invention provides for a dispenser package comprising a generally cylindrical container body and a cap removably mounted to the container body. The cap comprises a generally cylindrical cap body securable to an upper end of the container body. The cap body comprises a generally circular projecting portion having an outer circumferential surface and an upper surface that includes plural dispensing openings. A generally circular flip-up lid is connected to the cap body by a living hinge and being movable between a covering position and an open position.

Abstract: Provided are nylon fibers having fire-retardant agents dispersed therein and methods for manufacturing such fibers. The fire-retardant agents may comprise Tris(tribromophenyl) triazine and/or antimony trioxide. Fabrics made from such fibers are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method allows for communication between mobile devices running a communication application. The mobile devices include a host device and a plurality of client devices. When there is limited connectivity to other networks, the host device creates a host network and the client devices are transitioned to the host network. After the client devices are transitioned to the host network, communication can occur between the host device and the client devices, through the communication application and over the host network.

Abstract: A seatback adjustment assembly may include a recliner heart, an attachment plate, and a lever. The recliner heart is operable in an unlocked state permitting relative rotation between a seatback and a seat bottom and a locked state preventing relative rotation between the seatback and the seat bottom. The attachment plate is rotationally fixed to the recliner heart. The lever is rotatable between a first state in which the lever is engaged with the attachment plate and a second state in which the lever is disengaged from the attachment plate. When lever is in the first state and the recliner heart is in the unlocked state, rotation of the recliner heart causes corresponding rotation of the seatback relative to the seat bottom. However, the seatback is configured to rotate relative to the seat bottom without causing corresponding rotation of the recliner heart when the lever is in the second state.

Abstract: A protective aviation garment is designed to protect a crewmember during flight. The garment includes a bladder layer which retains a pressurized fluid and applies pressure to the user. The bladder layer is semi-permeable, being impermeable to both oxygen and nitrogen and permeable to water vapor. A first fluid tube is formed as part of the bladder layer to deliver the pressurized fluid to the interior of the bladder layer. A cover layer is formed from a fire-retardant fabric surrounding the exterior of the bladder layer. The cover layer is sealed around the first fluid tube and allows the first fluid tube to pass therethrough. The thigh seals are configured to seal the bladder layer to the user such that the bladder layer forms a lower volume and an upper volume. The first fluid tube delivers the first pressurized fluid to the lower volume.

Abstract: An articulating mower deck system. The system is adapted to disable power to a blade associated with the wing deck section before the wing deck section begins to lift—from an operating position toward a folded position—yet does not interfere with blade operation when the wing deck section floats relative to a center deck section during normal operation of the deck. Articulating decks of modular construction are also provided, allowing assembly of multiple deck widths with a minimum of modular deck sections.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a latch, a plate and a second cam. The latch is movable between a first position in which the latch is engaged with a striker and a second position in which the latch is disengaged from the striker. The plate defines an arcuate slot. The second cam is coupled to the plate and includes a body and a protrusion extending outwardly from the body. The protrusion is received in the arcuate slot and is configured to traverse the arcuate slot when the latch is in the first position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a recliner mechanism may include movably attaching a first plate of a recliner heart to a second plate of the recliner heart, positioning a gap ring onto the first plate of the recliner heart, positioning an encapsulation ring around the first and second plates such that the gap ring is disposed axially between the first plate and the encapsulation ring, and removing at least a portion of the gap ring from between the first plate and the encapsulation ring to form a clearance gap between the first plate and the encapsulation ring.

Abstract: This invention is directed to lighting apparatus having a gravity switch that is attached to the lid of a beverage container. The light is on when the lid is closed thus lighting the beverage from the top. This is particularly enjoying when the beverage is colored carbonated such as beer with the light interacts with the bubbles of carbonation.

Abstract: A system and method of wireless communication includes a host application running on a server. A plurality of communication devices are in communication with the host application and configured to send and receive data packets between others of the communication devices via the host application. The data packets containing digital information related to at least one type of media content. The host application receives the data packets and distributes the data packets according to a dynamic multicast distribution scheme. The dynamic multicast distribution scheme changes, for each communication device, according to at least one communication metric through WiFi modulation, forward error correction, or audio codec sampling and bit rates.

Abstract: A low-profile liquid storage tank and vehicles incorporating same. An exemplary low-profile liquid storage tank may define an interior volume having an upper surface that defines an access port, and a lower surface that includes a fluid impingement portion positioned below the access port. The impingement portion may include two or more undulations formed in or on the lower surface of the tank, the undulations adapted to assist with reducing splash-back of fluid added to the tank through the access port.

Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment mechanism may include a gearbox, a first gear, a second gear, and a spindle screw. The first gear is received in the gearbox and is rotatable relative to the gearbox about a first axis. The second gear is received in the gearbox and is rotatable relative to the gearbox about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The first and second gears are meshingly engaged with each other. The spindle screw is meshingly engaged with the second gear and extends through the second gear along the second axis. The spindle screw may have trapezoidal threads.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gear drive for a seat adjuster assembly may include applying a cutting process to a worm gear blank to cut gear teeth into the worm gear blank and form a single-enveloping worm gear; forming a worm with a helical thread that includes a pitch surface that is configured to mesh with the gear teeth of the single-enveloping worm gear. A longitudinal crown is created on the pitch surface of the helical thread of the worm such that the pitch surface has an arcuate profile moving from a proximal end of the worm to a distal end of the worm. In addition, a crowned tooth profile is created on the helical thread of the worm that extends in an angular direction between a top land and a bottom land of the helical thread. The crowned tooth profile bows outwardly along a convex curve.

Abstract: A recliner heart includes first, second and third locking plates and a pawl. The first locking plate defines a recess. The second locking plate includes a first inner diametrical surface having first teeth formed thereon. The third locking plate is disposed between the first and second locking plates and includes a second inner diametrical surface and an outer diametrical surface. The second inner diametrical surface has a notch formed therein. The outer diametrical surface has second teeth formed thereon. Some of the second teeth are meshingly engaged with some of the first teeth. The pawl is slidably disposed in the recess between a secure position in which the pawl is engaged with the notch of the third locking plate and a release position in which the pawl is disengaged from the notch of the third locking plate.