Abstract: Detector module designs for radiographic imaging include first and second layers of scintillator rods or pixel arrays oriented in first and second directions. The first and second directions are transversely oriented to define a light sharing region between the first and second layers. Encoding features may be disposed in, on or between the first and second layers, and configured to modulate propagation of optical signals therealong or therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle air intake assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing, a conical filter, and optionally may also include an inlet cowl. The housing and filter decrease in diameter from an inlet or distal end toward a proximal or outlet end. The shape of the housing guides the air into a smaller cross-sectional area and induces a Venturi effect on the airflow passing through the housing and filter. The housing decouples the filter from an engine inlet and the proximal or outlet end of the housing is sized so as to attach to the engine inlet and provide a smooth transition for the air leaving the housing and entering the engine inlet.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing living plants, wherein one or more beams of penetrating radiation such as x-rays are scanned across the plant under field conditions. Compton scatter is detected from the living plant and processed to derive characteristics of the living plant such as water content, root structure, branch structure, xylem size, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit aggregate volume, cluster size and shape, fruit maturity and an image of a part of the plant. Ground water content is measured using the same technique. Compton backscatter is used to guide a robotic gripper to grasp a portion of the plant such as for harvesting a fruit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method to produce a biofuel and/or chemical compound from a biomass, the method comprising: (a) introducing a biomass and a deep eutectic solvent (DES), or mixture thereof, into a vessel to form a one-pot composition, wherein the DES, or mixture thereof, solubilizes the biomass; (b) introducing an enzyme and/or a microbe to the one-pot composition such that the enzyme and/or microbe produce a biofuel and/or chemical compound from the solubilized biomass; and, (c) optionally the biofuel and/or chemical compound is separated from the one-pot composition.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a door frame, a weather strip, and a window glass. The door frame defining a window opening. The weather strip is coupled to the door frame along a portion of the window opening. The weather strip includes an inner flange, an outer flange, and a base that defines a cavity. The inner flange includes a plurality of inner apertures and the outer flange includes a plurality of outer apertures. The window glass is movably coupled to the door frame between a closed position and a vent position. In the closed position the window glass is engaged within the cavity between the plurality of inner apertures and the plurality of outer apertures to inhibit ventilation of air through the weather strip. In the vent position an upper edge of the window glass is engaged within the cavity to permit ventilation of air through the weather strip.

Abstract: A vertical capacitor structure includes a substrate, at least a pillar, a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer and a second conductive layer. The substrate defines a cavity. The pillar is disposed in the cavity. The first conductive layer covers and is conformal to the cavity of the substrate and the pillar, and is insulated from the substrate. The first dielectric layer covers and is conformal to the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer covers and is conformal to the first dielectric layer. The first conductive layer, the first dielectric layer and the second conductive layer jointly form a capacitor component.

Abstract: A semiconductor package structure includes a conductive trace layer, a semiconductor die over the conductive trace layer, a structure enhancement layer surrounding the semiconductor die, and an encapsulant covering the semiconductor die and the structure enhancement layer. The structure enhancement layer coincides with a mass center plane of the semiconductor package structure. The mass center plane is parallel to a top surface of the semiconductor die. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor package structure is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to provide stability to air flow through a hood scoop. The present invention may also be utilized to straighten and smooth out air flow through a hood scoop and accompanying air filter media. The present invention utilizes an air filtration media which may be inserted into at least a portion of a vehicle hood scoop and may filter out particulate and may also slow air flow down temporarily in order to straighten and/or smooth turbulent air flow through the air filtration media.

Abstract: A chained multi-port grid-connected interface apparatus includes a commutation chain, at least one direct-current converter, and at least one direct-alternating converter. The commutation chain is formed by at least two sub-module units connected in series in the same direction, one end of the direct-current converter is connected to a direct-current end of the sub-module unit, and the other end is a direct-current interaction port of the chained multi-port grid-connected interface apparatus. A direct-current connection end of the direct-alternating converter is connected to the direct-current end of the sub-module unit, and an alternating-current connection end is an alternating-current interaction port of the chained multi-port grid-connected interface apparatus.

Abstract: A combined mass airflow sensor and hydrocarbon trap is provided for absorbing evaporative hydrocarbon emissions from an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine. The combined mass airflow sensor and hydrocarbon trap comprises a duct that supports a hydrocarbon absorbing sheet in an unfolded configuration within a housing. The duct communicates an airstream from an air filter to the air intake duct during operation of the internal combustion engine. An opening in the housing receives a mass airflow sensor into the duct, such that the mass airflow sensor is disposed within the airstream. Guide vanes extending across the duct reduce air turbulence within the airstream passing by the mass airflow sensor. Ports disposed along the duct allow the evaporative hydrocarbon emissions to be drawn into the interior and arrested by the hydrocarbon absorbing sheet when the internal combustion engine is not operating.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power management system. The power management system comprises a first power supply device, a second power supply device, a power supply control device, a data processing device and a load. The power supply control device is connected to the first power supply device. The data processing device is connected to the first power supply device, the second power supply device and the power supply control device. The load is connected to the first power supply device and the second power supply device. The power supply control device is configured to, when activated, provide a first signal to the data processing device. The data processing device is configured to select the first power supply device or the second power supply device to provide power to the load according to the first signal.

Abstract: Methods for forming bonded assemblies using metal inverse opal and cap structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for forming a bonded assembly includes positioning a substrate against a polymer support that is porous, depositing a metal onto and within the polymer support, disposing a cap layer to the polymer support opposite of the substrate to form a bottom electrode, and removing the polymer support from between the substrate and the cap layer to form a metal inverse opal structure disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A method of installing a vehicle component to a vehicle panel is provided. The method includes aligning a fastening opening of the vehicle component with a fastening opening through the vehicle panel. The vehicle component abuts against an alignment rib that is formed integrally with the vehicle panel. A fastener is inserted through the fastening openings of the vehicle component and the vehicle panel. The fastener is tightened while the alignment rib inhibits rotation of the vehicle component.

Abstract: A method of installing a vehicle component to a vehicle panel is provided. The method includes aligning a rib receiving channel of the vehicle component with an alignment rib that is formed integrally with the vehicle panel while also aligning a fastening opening of the vehicle component with a fastening opening through the vehicle panel. The alignment rib is inserted into the rib receiving channel. A fastener is inserted through the fastening openings of the vehicle component and the vehicle panel. The fastener is tightened while the alignment rib and rib receiving channel inhibit rotation of the vehicle component.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present development, an adjustable receiver for an associated appliance hinge includes a base adapted to be secured to an associated appliance body. A first cross-member is connected to the base and is movable relative to the base. The first cross-member provides a first hinge mounting structure for an associated appliance hinge. A second cross-member is connected to the base and is movable relative to the base. At least one link extends between and interconnects the first and second cross-members. The first and second cross-members and the at least one link define an adjustable hinge mount that is selectively movable relative to the base along an adjustment axis. The adjustable receiver further includes an adjustment system for selectively altering a position of the adjustable hinge mount relative to the base along the adjustment axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns devices and methods for resistance welding sandwich sheets to other components. Many sandwich sheets include a thermoplastic material layer disposed between two metallic cover layers. The sandwich sheet and the other component may be secured relative to one another by a clamping arrangement. A region of the sandwich sheet to be welded may be heated by a preheating current to soften and displace the thermoplastic material layer when the cover layers are pressed together. With respect to the preheating current, a first electrode arrangement may at least temporarily contact an electrically conductive contacting region of the clamping arrangement such that the preheating current can flow via the clamping arrangement. The cover layers may be welded to the other component with a welding current via the first welding electrode of the first electrode arrangement and a second welding electrode of a second electrode arrangement.

Abstract: A valve apparatus and system is provided. The valve apparatus includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A support assembly is attached to the housing, the support assembly including a positioning chamber located over the outlet. A diaphragm assembly is moveably attached to the support assembly. The diaphragm assembly includes a piston having one end slideably mounted in the positioning chamber, and a diaphragm attached to the other end of the piston. A sealing element is located about a perimeter of the diaphragm, and a biasing element is arranged to contact the support assembly and the diaphragm assembly, thereby urging at least a portion of the sealing element against the fluid outlet, providing a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for injection molding a parison with internal threads. The carrier assembly may be used with an injection stretch blow molding machine that includes a core rod. The carrier assembly comprises a carrier insert surrounding a portion of the core rod. The carrier insert includes a thread-forming portion presenting an interior radial surface and an exterior radial surface. The interior radial surface is configured to be positioned adjacent to the core rod, and the exterior radial surface includes a threaded protrusion configured to extend away from the core rod. The carrier assembly also includes a pinion insert surrounding at least a portion of the threaded protrusion of the thread-forming portion of the carrier insert. The pinion insert is spaced apart from the thread-forming portion of the carrier insert so as to present a thread-forming cavity between the pinion insert and the carrier insert.

Abstract: The present invention is a composite welding wire for fusion welding of components manufactured of superalloys. The composite weld wire includes a surface layer applied to the core wire in a green condition and bonded to the core wire. The surface layer includes alloying elements selected from among B and Si, the total bulk content of B and Si representing 0.5 to 4.0 wt. % of the composite welding wire. The boron and silicon alloying elements reduce the melting temperature and increase the solidification range of the weld pool, minimizing the incidence of weld cracking compared to welding without the coating. The green condition surface layer is comprised of more than 80 wt. % of the bulk content of the composite welding wire selected from the combination of B and Si.