Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonlinear controller for nonlinear wave energy converters (WECs). As an example of the invention, a nonlinear dynamic model is developed for a geometrically right-circular cylinder WEC design for the heave-only motion, or a single degree-of-freedom (DOF). The linear stiffness term is replaced by a nonlinear cubic hardening spring term to demonstrate the performance of a nonlinear WEC as compared to an optimized linear WEC. By exploiting the nonlinear physics in the nonlinear controller, equivalent power and energy capture, as well as simplified operational performance is observed for the nonlinear cubic hardening spring controller when compared to an optimized linear controller.

Abstract: The present application discloses a covered stent and a method for navigating the covered stent to a branch vessel, the covered stent comprising a main body and at least one lateral side branch connected to the main body, wherein the lateral side branch is flexible and expandable. A system of covered stents and a method for interconnecting the covered stents is also disclosed.

Abstract: Mitigation of gratuitous conditions on an electric power delivery system is disclosed herein. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) may take actions on the electric power delivery system based on commands received via communications channels and based on detected electrical conditions. When a gratuitous condition (such as a cyber attack) is detected, a block command is provided to the IEDs such that the IEDs do not effect actions corresponding with commands received over a communications system. Communications may pass through a condition monitor of a communications device to detect insecurity and either block the communications or command the IED to enter interlock mode.

Abstract: A method for determining one or more material conditions of a hysteretic ferromagnetic material and/or a nonhysteretic material can include interrogating the hysteretic ferromagnetic material and/or the nonhysteretic material with an input time varying magnetic field and detecting a magnetic response and/or acoustic response over time from the hysteretic ferromagnetic material and/or the nonhysteretic material. The method can also include determining a time dependent nonlinear characteristic of the received magnetic response and/or acoustic response and correlating the time dependent nonlinear characteristic of the received magnetic response or acoustic response to one or more material conditions of the material.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for self-cleaning that include a lysozyme capable of decomposing a microbe, a substrate applied to a solid surface, and a linker moiety bound to an outer surface of said substrate and an active group of said digestive protein, said linker moiety between said lysozyme and said substrate and covalently linking said lysozyme to a surface of said substrate optionally by an amide bond.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus has a heating stage with a product side and a hot water side and a cooling stage with a product side and a coolant side, and also regeneration stages with treated and un-treated product sides. There are valves including a cooling stage outlet valve, and pressure sensors, and pumps for pumping process liquid through the product sides. A PLC controller is programmed to operate the pumps with outlet valves closed to pressurize the product sides of the stages at a pressure dynamically maintained by control of the pumps in response to sensed pressure. The valves are controlled to firstly vent the heating and cooling sides of the heating and cooling stages with the product sides pressurized, and then in a second phase to vent the downstream (treated) product sides of regeneration stages. Also, an in-line holding time test is performed by monitoring time for step rises in temperature to reach a temperature sensor and the outlet end of a holding tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for monitoring a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. A first current transformer is disposed between the stack of capacitors and the first ground connection. The current transformer provides an electrical signal corresponding to a current associated with the CCVT. A second current transformer is disposed between a primary winding of a step-down transformer associated with the CCVT and a second ground connection. An intelligent electronic device (IED) in electrical communication with the current measurement devices monitors a ratio of magnitudes from the current transformers at a single frequency. The ratio is compared against an acceptable range. When the ratio exceeds the acceptable range, an alarm is generated.

Abstract: The subject application relates to a semiconductor package device, which includes a first conductive layer; a semiconductor wall disposed on the first conductive layer; a first conductive wall disposed on the first conductive layer; and an insulation layer disposed on the first conductive layer and between the semiconductor wall and the first conductive wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a user interactive electronic system, the user interactive electronic system comprising a robotic arm and at least an attachment detachably affixed to a distal end of the robotic arm. The present disclosure also relates to a method for operating such a user interactive electronic system and to a computer program product.

Abstract: A lightweight and flexible load bearing shackle that is configurable in operation. The shackle includes a bow made of a plurality of loops of synthetic fiber rope (e.g., polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, Aramid, acrylic, mixtures of several fibers, co-polymer fibers, straight, braided, twisted). The loops of fiber rope may be contained within a sheathing configured as a single loop. The sheathing is secured together to form a receptacle (opening) in each leg of the bow that is reinforced with an eyelet. The eyelets may be split eyelets that include a first/second side mounted to a first/second side of the receptacle that are then secured together over the receptacle. A connection pin may be secured between the eyelets. The shackle may include a spacing means (e.g., casing that connection pin traverses, connection pin that has wider center portion) between the legs to maintain the legs a certain distance apart.

Abstract: A wiring structure includes an upper conductive structure, a lower conductive structure and an intermediate layer. The upper conductive structure includes at least one upper dielectric layer and at least one upper circuit layer in contact with the dielectric layer. The lower conductive structure includes at least one lower dielectric layer and at least one lower circuit layer in contact with the lower dielectric layer. The at least one lower dielectric layer of the lower conductive structure is substantially free of glass fiber. The intermediate layer is disposed between the upper conductive structure and the lower conductive structure and bonds the upper conductive structure and the lower conductive structure together. The upper conductive structure is electrically connected to the lower conductive structure.

Abstract: An insert for sealing a hole having a diameter. The insert includes a plug having a maximum outer diameter that is equal to or less than the diameter of the hole. The plug also has a sleeve, a core, and a pin. The sleeve has a length and a void. The core and the pin are both press-fit into the void at opposite ends of the void. The core has a first length, a first tapered outer wall, and a threaded hole extending partly through the core. The pin has a second length, a second tapered outer wall, and a passage extending there-through. The plug also has protrusions located on an outer surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: An article of personal protective equipment, such as a protective glove, headgear, footwear, suit, or other protective device, wearable by a wearer for protecting the wearer against noxious agents, such as an article of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) personal protective equipment. The article of personal protective equipment may comprise a plurality of regions that cover different parts of the wearer's body and have different properties, such as different levels of protection against noxious agents, breath ability, heat loss capability, dexterity, tactility, stretchability, and/or another function.

Abstract: Gas separation modules and methods for use including an integrated adsorbent and membrane. In certain refining applications, it is paramount to obtain high purity product gases. Adsorbent beds are effective at removing certain contaminants, such as CO2, from gas streams containing product and contaminant constituents to form a product-rich stream. The integrated membrane permits a further separation of products from any unadsorbed contaminant to produce a high purity product, such as hydrogen, stream. The gas separation modules described herein include stacked, radial, and spiral arrangements. Each modules includes a configuration of feed and cross-flow channels for the collection of contaminant gases and/or high purity product gases.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and system for decomposing and oxidizing of gaseous pollutants. A novel reaction portion reduces particle formation in fluids during treatment, thereby improving the defect of particle accumulation in a reaction portion. Also, the system includes the device, wherein a modular design enables the system to have the advantage of easy repair and maintenance.

Abstract: A drum transporter that can be used to move a drum from a first bed at a first location to a second bed at a second location is described. The drum transporter can be coupled to a drive cart and powered thereby. The drum transporter is operable to grab a drum on the first bed and pull the drum onto a support bed of the drum transporter for subsequent movement to the second location. The drum transporter is operable to push the drum off the support bed and onto the second bed.

Abstract: Technologies relating to monitoring communications traffic to detect potential attacks on industrial control system networks and building automation system networks are described herein. In an embodiment, a monitoring device receives a plurality of communications from a control network. The monitoring device transmits the communications to a computing device. Based on the communications, the computing device generates a listing of devices that communicated by way of the control network over a period of time, and computes a volume of traffic between each pair of devices in the listing of devices. The computing device then outputs a graphical user interface (GUI) by way of display, the GUI comprising data indicative of the computed volumes of traffic, which may be indicative of a potential attack on the control network.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a radio frequency modem with a precision timebase that utilizes a novel method of scheduling tasks to minimize average power draw of the system and extend life while running on limited power supplies. Additionally, the invention may optionally utilize the time base required for frequency hopping or spread spectrum communications as the basis for these higher powered tasks.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to detecting a network attack. In one embodiment, a first device may receive a high-precision time signal and may use the signal to associate a first time stamp with each of a plurality of data packets reflecting a time that each data packet is transmitted. A second device may receive the plurality of data packets from the first device via a data network. The second device may also receive the high-precision time signal and may use the signal to associate a second time stamp with each of the plurality of data packets reflecting a time that each data packet is received. A time of flight may be determined based on the first time stamp and the second time stamp. The second device may determine whether the time of flight for each of the first plurality of data packets is consistent with a valid time of flight.

Abstract: A vehicle leveler includes a first portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge is disposed further from the driveway than the leading edge. The vehicle leveler also includes a second portion which has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of the second portion is removably attached to the trailing edge of the first portion and the leading edge of the second portion is disposed further from the driveway than the trailing edge of the second portion. The second portion also includes an extension portion which extends from the trailing edge of the second portion toward a rear of the leveler and includes a substantially flat section disposed about parallel with the substantially flat driveway. The first portion and second portion are separate from each other until they are removably attached by a connection apparatus.