Abstract: Grille assemblies, vehicles including grille assemblies, and methods of concealing one or more components of a vehicle are disclosed herein. A grille assembly may include an inner frame defining a central opening therethrough. The inner frame may include a lower portion having a concealment flange. The concealment flange may extend from the inner frame toward an engine compartment portion of the vehicle at a depth. The concealment flange may extend such that it obscures one or more vehicle components positioned adjacent to the central opening when viewed from a location outside the engine compartment through the grille assembly.

Abstract: A hood assembly includes an outer panel that is connected to an inner panel. The inner panel includes one or more elongated slots that extend lengthwise in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The elongated slots can provide a line of weakness to reduce deceleration of an impacting body. A slot protector is fitted within the elongated slots. The slot protector is formed of a flexible material that facilitates an interference fit within the slot.

Abstract: An electromagnetic telemetry system adjusts telemetry parameters which may include carrier frequency, signal amplitude and/or data encoding protocol to achieve reliable data transmission and to conserve power. In some embodiments, sweep signals transmit a range of carrier frequencies and the parameters are determined in part by analyzing the received sweep signals. In some embodiments, different parameters are selected automatically based on a mode of drilling.

Abstract: Front bumper assemblies for vehicles are disclosed. The front bumper assemblies may include a bumper reinforcement with a plurality of pedestrian energy absorbers positioned adjacent to a front face of the bumper reinforcement. The plurality of pedestrian energy absorbers are arrayed along a width direction of the bumper reinforcement. A plurality of bumper cover supports are positioned at least one of atop or adjacent the bumper reinforcement and may be attached to the bumper reinforcement. Each of the plurality of bumper cover supports is offset from the forward contact surfaces of the pedestrian energy absorbers in a front impact direction. Each of the plurality of bumper cover supports is more compliant in a front impact direction than in a vertical direction. As a result, a bumper cover of the front bumper assembly is more compliant in a front impact direction while being more rigid in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The break-off spout of the present invention includes: a spout main body (110) having a break-off section (150) formed via a weakened section (121) such that an annular section (152) having a through-hole formed therein protrudes to the tip side; and a pair of left and right cover members (160) integrally formed with the spout main body (110) via hinge sections provided below the weakened section (121). The pair of left and right cover members (160) are formed in a shape such that, when the cover members are engaged with each other, the cover members cover a portion of the spout main body (110) above the hinge sections including the break-off section (150). An insertion port (164) through which deformation means that deforms the annular section (152) and blocks the through-hole can be inserted is provided in the cover members (160).

Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper upper member that is reinforced in a vehicle vertical direction against a bumper energy absorber structure. The bumper upper member includes a vertical rigidity flange that extends outwardly toward the bumper energy absorber that limits movement of the bumper upper member in response to a downward vertical force, which can improve static subjective rigidity, while maintaining pedestrian performance.

Abstract: A thermal switch includes a substrate having a target region and a peripheral region. A metallization array is coupled to the substrate and is positioned adjacent the target region, the metallization array including a plurality of first temperature dependent thermally conductive metallization segments and a plurality of second temperature dependent thermally conductive metallization segments. The metallization array directs heat flux toward the target region within a first temperature range and directs heat flux away from the target region within a second temperature range.

Abstract: Coaxial connecting devices used for transmitting high frequency electrical signals having two connector elements of generally cylindrical profile, and wherein each of the connector elements has an inner conductor, an insulator, and an outer conductor. In one of the two connector elements that may be of a male or a female orientation has two canted coil spring contacts where at least one of a first spring contact can be retained within at least one first spring groove within a second inner conductor and at least one of a second spring contact is retained within at least one second spring groove within a second outer conductor. The at least one second spring contact can be used as a simultaneous EMI shielding contact and latching, locking, or both latching and locking device.

Abstract: A foil heater comprises a first (16) and a second (14) spiral resistive heating trace formed in a first and a second layer, respectively, that conforms to a flat or curved surface. Each of the first and second resistive heating traces has a center and at least one outer extremity. An electrically insulating layer (12) is arranged between the first and second layers. The electrically insulating layer comprises an opening that accommodates an electrical via, through which the first and second resistive heating traces are electrically contacted with each other.

Abstract: A smart safe include one or more note validators. Access to the note validators and internal workings of the smart safe is defined by an applicable level of security at the smart safe. The applicable level of security may be dependent on whether the smart safe is experiencing an error condition and/or the identification of a user trying to access the smart safe. By allowing some users limited access to the note validators, the users may be able to resolve some error conditions without compromising the integrity of notes stored within the smart safe and without relying on dedicated service personnel to resolve the error condition at the smart safe.

Abstract: A catalyst for methanation of carbon dioxide. The catalyst is formed by mixing ash from a biomass power plant with a nickel compound and calcining the resulting mixture. The catalyst formed by calcination includes between 2 and 20 wt. % of nickel.

Abstract: A system and method for a vehicle includes a user identification subsystem operable to detect an individual proximate to the vehicle and a display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window in response to detection the. The system and method distinguish between authenticated and non-authenticated vehicle users and, in the event of a non-authenticated user, display the image on the display along with an optional printed and/or audible warning. If both an authenticated and non-authenticated user are identified, the system displays both images along with an optional warning. The images along with the vehicle coordinates and date and time information can be transmitted remotely from the vehicle to a pre-defined contact list. The system and method allow for a camera mode to enable an authenticated user to use the image sensor on the vehicle to take a photograph or video.

Abstract: Core shell nanoparticles of an iron oxide core, a silicon dioxide shell and an iron silicate interface between the core and the shell are provided. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles are tunable by control of the iron silicate interface thickness. A magnetic core of high magnetic moment obtained by compression sintering the thermally annealed superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles is also provided. The magnetic core has little core loss due to hysteresis or eddy current flow.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic drill floor to substructure latching system that adds to the safety of drilling operations. In particular, the present invention is applicable for rapid and safe locked connection of a drilling rig side box to the drilling rig base box such that weight imbalances incurred when raising of the drilling rig mast will not result in unsecured and unsafe separation of the side box and base box.

Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a protease with enzymatic activity toward a component of a biological stain. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.

Abstract: A commonly assumed operational requirement for a multi-rotor vehicle, often referred to as a “Quad-Copter” or “Quad-Rotor”, is to have onboard a minimum of three motors, in order to provide a stable hover, and more frequently as many as eight motors. The Twin Propeller Attitude Control (TPAC) Air Vehicle, using a hybrid control system, needs only two motors, in order to achieve full control of altitude, pitch, roll and yaw. Pitch control is achieved by means of differential thrust, while roll and yaw control is accomplished via thrust vectoring. In the event of loss power of one or both engines, a parachute will be automatically released.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to pipeline freespan support are described. For example, some embodiments may contain an upper structure, which contains at least four legs connected to one another by a number of bracing members, and a number of attachment points through which the upper structure can be lifted, and a lower structure, which contains at least four posts that can be connected to, and disconnected from as needed, the four legs of the upper structure, two spaced mud mats on which the posts stand, and at least two horizontal arms that can be attached to the posts, rotate about the posts, connect to and be locked with the posts on the other mud mat, and be lifted to an appropriate height to provide suitable support at the pipeline freespan location.

Abstract: A vehicle and anti-lock braking processes for the vehicle as automatically implemented by a computing device are disclosed. The vehicle can include a perception system and a computing device in communication with the perception system. The computing device can be configured to detect, using the perception system, an environmental condition external to the vehicle and select a wheel slip threshold based on the environmental condition. The environmental condition can be a weather-based condition or an obstacle-based condition. If the selected wheel slip threshold is reached while the vehicle is braking, the computing device can send a command to activate anti-lock braking for the vehicle.