Abstract: A soft-bodied actuator can be configured to be in a pinched or contracted configuration when power is not supplied to the actuator. Thus, a supply of electrical energy is not needed to maintain the actuator in the pinched or contracted configuration. The actuator can include a central bladder. The central bladder can include a flexible casing that defines a central fluid chamber. The central fluid chamber can include a dielectric fluid. A first conductor and a second conductor can be operatively connected to opposite portions of the central bladder. The actuator can be configured such that, in the activated mode, the first and second conductors receive electrical energy from a power source such that they are like charged, causing the first and second conductors to repel each other. The central fluid chamber can include a particulate material to help maintain the central bladder in the pinched configuration.

Abstract: A process for the separation of the components of a solid/liquid mixture. The process Includes the use of a rotary pressure filter apparatus having improved capacity.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices of a control system. The control system includes a fuel cell stack. The control system includes a compressor that is configured to control and provide a total air flow within the vehicle. The compressor has an air pressure ratio and an air flow rate and operates at a speed. The control system includes an electronic control unit coupled to the fuel cell stack and the compressor. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a path associated with one or more adjustments to the air pressure ratio or the air flow rate. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a rate associated with the one or more adjustments based on the path and control at least one of the air pressure ratio, the speed or the air flow rate to operate the compressor based on the path and the rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods may use a low speed controller in addition to an economic optimizer to achieve long-term objectives without significantly disrupting or destabilizing an electrical system. Specific long-term objectives include maximizing a capacity factor incentive and regulating battery degradation, but the methods and systems herein can be extended to more long-term objectives. A low speed controller can adjust one or more parameters of a cost function based on the relation between the projected state of the electrical system and the one or more parameters to effectuate a change to the electrical system to attempt to comply with the long-term objective.

Abstract: A press brake for bending a workpiece that includes a movable ram and a support beam. The press brake includes a backgauge that has an arm with a plurality of fingers for grasping the workpiece. The arm is mounted to an arm support that is mounted on a carriage that is mounted on a backgauge support frame. The arm is configured to swing relative to the arm support in a plane perpendicular to the carriage from a position projecting away from one side of the carriage to a position projecting away from the other side of the carriage. The carriage is configured to rotate 180 degrees so that opposite sides of the workpiece may be positioned under the ram to thereby allow for bending operations to be performed on opposite sides of the workpiece without removing the workpiece from the backgauge.

Abstract: A furniture ordering and marketing method includes the steps of providing furniture products in a uniform warehouse; under control of a service system, providing a templated website displaying furniture products information, identifying a distributor in response to a log request from the distributor via a client system, converting the templated website into an individual website with the distributor's individual information, processing an placed order sent from the individual website, and shipping ordered furniture products from the uniform warehouse to a shipping address on the placed order.

Abstract: An artificial muscle tentacle and method for manufacturing an artificial muscle tentacle, and a computer readable medium for controlling an artificial muscle tentacle are disclosed. The artificial muscle tentacle includes two spacers and a central core that connects the two spacers. The artificial muscle tentacle also includes at least two Z-Twist actuators and at least two S-Twist actuators. The Z-Twist actuators and the S-Twist actuators are disposed around the central core and in between the two spacers connecting the two spacers. The actuation of one or more of the Z-Twist actuators and the S-Twist actuators actuates the artificial muscle tentacle.

Abstract: A secure element of a mobile device receives a first authentication token, which may have an encrypted portion and a non-encrypted portion, from a network gateway device to which the mobile device is connected. The secure element determines whether the first authentication token is valid based on a sequence number included in the first authentication token. If the secure element determines that the first authentication token is valid, the secure element generates a second authentication token that indicates a result of an authentication operation performed by the secure element. The second authentication token is sent to the network gateway device. The secure element derives a pre-shared key using a key derivation function, where the pre-shared key is usable to establish a secure communication channel with the network gateway device.

Abstract: A seat cushion, for a seat assembly, includes a seat cushion frame formed of a resin material. The seat cushion frame includes a base wall, a pair of side walls, and a front wall. The base wall includes a pair of side edges and a front edge that extends between the pair of side edges. The pair of side walls extend outward from the pair of side edges of the base wall. The front wall extends outwardly from the front edge of the base wall. The front wall configured to provide an anti-submarining feature.

Abstract: An auto-retracting faucet spray head has an auto-retract mechanism, which includes a docking assembly provided at the end of the faucet body to facilitate automatic retraction and docking of the spray head. The docking assembly includes a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically docks the spray head to the faucet body when an adapter coupled to the spray head engages the docking assembly.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods to control fluid associated with vehicle clutches are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a drive unit assembly for a vehicle. The drive unit assembly includes a housing and a clutch in a cavity of the housing. Rotation of a drum of the clutch expels a fluid from the cavity. The apparatus also includes a vehicle controller configured to disengage the clutch via an actuator. Actuation of the actuator reduces a flow of the fluid into the cavity.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the disclosed technology systems and methods for biometric access control for a vehicle may include: capturing an image of two or more individuals approaching the vehicle; analyzing the captured image to determine whether one or more of the individuals approaching the vehicle is an authorized user of the vehicle; where at least one, but not all, of the two or more individuals approaching the vehicle is identified as an authorized user of the vehicle, analyzing the captured image to determine an emotional level between an identified authorized user of the vehicle and an unauthorized user of the vehicle; and performing a vehicle access security operation based on the determined emotional level between the authorized user of the vehicle and the unauthorized user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A two-speed transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The transfer case has a two-speed planetary gearset, a range clutch, and a range shift mechanism. The planetary gearset includes a carrier unit having at least one crack arresting feature configured to limit propagation of a stress crack. The carrier unit includes a plurality of mounting holes for securing planet gears for rotation relative to the carrier unit. The gearset includes a sun gear configured for and a ring gear, with the planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear. The crack arresting feature extends at least partially through a portion of the carrier unit and is configured to receive a crack propagating from a central aperture of the carrier unit. The crack arresting feature is disposed radially between the central aperture and the mounting holes.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a bumper beam; an electronic sensor that is fixed in relation to the bumper beam; and an energy absorber that is connected to the bumper beam in general alignment with the electronic sensor. The energy absorber is configured and positioned to protect the electronic sensor and reduce dislocation of the electronic sensor by absorbing energy resulting from a low-force impact between the vehicle and an external object (e.g., another vehicle). The energy absorber may be provided in the front and/or rear-ends of the vehicle, and, in certain embodiments, may be connected to an end face of the bumper beam (e.g., to a front face or a rear face of the bumper beam) such that the energy absorber is positioned outwardly (e.g., forwardly or rearwardly) of the electronic sensor along a length of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for an external vehicle charging system. The external vehicle charging system includes a first set of inductive coils. The first set of inductive coils include a first inductive coil and a second inductive coil and are configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to one or more inductive loops of a vehicle. The external vehicle charging system includes a sensor configured to detect a position of the one or more inductive loops and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a first threshold distance between the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil to reduce or eliminate interference. The processor is configured to activate the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil so that the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil align with the one or more inductive loops based on the detected position and the first threshold distance.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a clocking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the tie down member may be capable of being located and rotated within the receiving member. The tie down member may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The locking member may include at least one leg capable of being housed within the aperture. The locking member may engage the receiving member once the tie down member is rotated, thereby trapping the item within the tie down apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for sharing encoder output of video streams. In a particular embodiment, a method provides determining video profiles for each of a plurality of devices. The method further provides determining if two or more of the video profiles are similar by determining if parameters associated with each video profile differ by less than a threshold value. The method further provides transmitting a video stream encoded in a single format to the devices if they have similar profiles and transmitting video streams encoded in different formats to the devices if they do not have similar profiles.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium metal sulfide based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. An activation energy of the lithium metal sulfide composites is from 0.2 to 0.45 eV and conductivities are from 10?4 to 3.0 mS/cm at 300K. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided. Electrodes containing the lithium metal sulfide based composites and batteries with such electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: A purge valve for an EVAP system has a chamber including an inlet conduit for receiving fuel vapors from an EVAP canister, a first outlet conduit to the engine for the fuel vapors, and a second outlet conduit to the engine for the fuel vapors. Energizing the purge valve at a first current actuates a first armature from a closed position to an open position to open a first opening and allow fuel vapors to flow through the first outlet conduit to the engine, without actuating the second armature from a closed position. Energizing the purge valve at a second current that is greater than the first current actuates a second armature from a closed position to an open position to open the second opening and allow fuel vapors to flow through the second outlet conduit to the engine while maintaining the first armature in the fully open position.

Abstract: A system for determining operating conditions of a rotating biological contactor includes a sensor including a first end coupleable to the gearbox assembly of the rotating biological contactor at a radial distance from a rotation axis of a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft rotates a plurality of media elements about the rotation axis to treat water within a basin of the rotating biological contactor. The sensor also includes a second end coupleable to a brace to prevent rotation of the sensor and the gearbox assembly when the rotatable shaft is rotated. The sensor further includes a body extending between the first end and the second end. The sensor is configured to detect a load on the body when the rotatable shaft is rotated. The system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a torque of the rotatable shaft based on the load detected by the sensor.