Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating vehicles and other technical equipment by way of a haptic operating device having a rotating unit. Selectable menu items are displayed on a display unit, and a menu item being selected by rotating the rotating unit. The rotating unit latches at a number of haptically perceptible latching points during rotation. The number and rotational position of the haptically perceptible latching points is dynamically changed.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator configured for a stationary vibration isolation system which serves to accommodate equipment for processing semiconductor devices. The pneumatic actuator comprises a working space with a piston which divides the working space into a first and a second pressure chamber, and the piston is spaced apart from an inner surface of the working space by a gap, and the piston is movable only in an axial direction.

Abstract: A vehicle includes upright sides, a hitch point between the upright sides, an interior display, and a control module communicatively connected with the display. The control module is configured to, in response to a backup event, operate the display during the backup event to display an area behind the vehicle, general-purpose steering guidelines, and a trailer-hitching steering guideline. The general-purpose steering guidelines lead from the upright sides, indicate a projected locus of the vehicle, and have a reach that is maintained regardless of changing steering angles. The trailer-hitching steering guideline leads from the hitch point, indicates a projected path of the hitch point, and has a reach that is adjusted based on changing steering angles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a fixture element for attaching workpieces to a support, a bed, a tombstone, etc. of a machine tool. In particular, the fixture element has a retracting stud that allows for quick attachment of the workpiece. The fixture also includes a ball element that swivels to provide support for non-planar or multi-plane surfaces.

Abstract: A stabilized scintillator includes a compound corresponding to formula (2) or (3), or activated derivatives thereof: A2BB?xB?yX6??(2) A2BB?XxX?y??(3) wherein A and B are monovalent cations, B? is a trivalent cation, X is a halogen, x and y are molar percentages, x+y=1; B? is an aliovalent exchange cation that has a different valence than B?, X? is an aliovalent exchange anion that has a different valence than X. A method of preparing the stabilized scintillator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a tank having a tank inlet, a tank outlet, a heat exchanger inlet and heat exchanger outlet. A heat exchanger is located in the tank and comprises a hollow body having a mouth coupled to the heat exchanger inlet and a flue outlet coupled to the heat exchanger outlet. A burner device has a burner head that is located at least partly located in the mouth inside said hollow body.

Abstract: The invention provides an automated hand hygiene/infection control monitoring sensor-based system suitable for improving hand hygiene and multiple infection control measures and ensuring compliance by health care workers as well as visitors to hospitals and clinics. The use of biometric identification devices such as cameras for face recognition and profiling, microphones for voice recognition, etc. permit highly accurate identification without the use of removable identification devices such as identification badges which may include bar codes, magnetic strips or wireless devices such as RFIDS. Identification badges are removable and hence susceptible to being lost, misplaced, etc. Visitors are typically not assigned identification badges and hence enforcement of hand hygiene policies is minimal.

Abstract: A handrail installation with emergency lighting for tunnels, comprising a handrail, a closed cable duct, at least one flat cable that is installed along the closed cable duct, and multiple branching boxes for contacting the flat cable without stripping of insulation. The branching boxes contact the flat cable within the closed cable duct. The handrail and the cable duct rest on support surfaces, which are different from one another, on the top side of multiple support members, and the handrail is provided separately from the closed cable duct and the support members, the cable duct is provided separately from the support members, and the handrail is situated above the closed cable duct. The emergency lighting includes multiple lamps situated in succession, which are placed at the branching boxes and are supplied with power by same.

Abstract: A door component has a controllable damper device that contains a magnetorheological fluid as a working fluid. Two connection units of the damper device can be moved relative to each other. One of the two connection units can be connected to a support structure, and the other connection unit can be connected to a pivotal door device in order to damp a movement of the door device between a closed position and an open position in a controlled manner. The magnetorheological damper device has a piston unit and a cylinder unit which surrounds the piston unit. The piston unit divides a cylinder volume into two chambers. The piston unit has a first piston rod, which extends through the first chamber, and a second piston rod, which extends through the second chamber.

Abstract: Seats in vehicles may include a seat cushion having a seating surface, a vibration isolation structure and a foam structure, with the seating surface configured to support an occupant. The seat cushion may include either a seat bottom or a seat back, with the vibration isolation structure configured to evenly distribute forces exerted by the occupant. The vibration isolation structure may include a plurality of individual lattice blocks. The plurality of individual lattice blocks may occupy a pattern based on a spatial weight distribution of an average-sized occupant or a pattern based on a spatial weight distribution tailored for a specific occupant. The plurality of individual lattice blocks may cooperate to provide the even pressure distribution against forces exerted by the occupant. The vibration isolation structure may isolate vibration in a range from about 0.5 Hz to about 5.0 Hz.

Abstract: There is provided a near-zero-power wakeup system in which a MEMS sensor for mechanical or acoustic signals is coupled to a very-low-power complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Power consumption can be minimized by operating the ASIC with sub-threshold gate voltages.

Abstract: A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod, includes a first valve assembly including a first inlet/outlet port, a check valve biased toward a closed state, the check valve having a check valve body at least partially receivable within a first port of the cylinder, a flow control valve positioned in series between the first inlet/outlet port and the check valve, and a first pilot port selectively communicable with a pressurized gas for opening the check valve. The valve system further includes a second valve assembly including a second inlet/outlet port, a second pilot port through which the pressurized gas must flow before being introduced to the first pilot port, and a valve body at least partially receivable within a second port of the cylinder, wherein the second inlet/outlet port and the second pilot port are integrally formed as a portion of the valve body.

Abstract: Provided is a non-Newtonian engine oil lubricant composition with improved fuel efficiency and engine wear protection. The lubricant composition includes a major amount of a base oil including a Group II base stock and an optional Group V base stock, from 0.1 to 9.0 wt. % of at least one viscosity modifier and from 0.1 to 1.2 wt. % of at least one friction modifier. The non-Newtonian engine oil lubricant composition has a kinematic viscosity at 100 deg. C. of less than or equal to 10 cSt and an HTHS (ASTM D4683) of less than or equal to 2.2 cP at 150° C. Also provided are methods of using the lubricant composition in internal combustion engines and methods of making the lubricant composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic check valves, as well as fluidic cartridges including such check valves. In particular examples, the check valve includes a pre-stressed spring formed from a planar substrate. Various characteristics of the valves, such as size, profile, opening pressure, etc., can be tuned to provide desired performance when employed within a fluidic cartridge.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines a front door opening, and includes an A-pillar framing the front door opening, and a door over the front door opening. The front door includes an inner door panel and an outer door panel defining an interior door cavity therebetween. The vehicle also includes an impact beam and a transfer member housed in the interior door cavity. The impact beam has a forward end that laterally overlaps the A-pillar. The transfer member laterally overlaps the A-pillar in common with the forward end of the impact beam, and faces the inner door panel from laterally between the forward end of the impact beam and the inner door panel. When the vehicle experiences a side impact event, the A-pillar assumes side impact energy via transfer from the forward end of the impact beam through the transfer member.

Abstract: A mechanical testing apparatus for a specimen is presented. The mechanical testing apparatus comprises a drop table system and a Hopkinson bar. The drop table system has a drop carriage. The Hopkinson bar is positioned parallel to a motion of the drop carriage and connected to the drop table system by the specimen.

Abstract: A physical assistive robotic device may include a frame including an upright support member, a lateral member slidably engaged with the upright support member, a handle slidably engaged with the lateral member, an elevation actuator coupled to the upright support member and the lateral member, and a lateral actuator coupled to the lateral member and the handle. The elevation actuator translates the lateral member and the lateral actuator translates the handle to transition a user between a standing position and a non-standing position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fault in an electric power delivery system. In one embodiment, a system may include a data acquisition subsystem configured to receive a plurality of representations of electrical conditions associated with at least a portion of the electric power delivery system. A traveling wave detector may be configured to detect a traveling wave event based on the plurality of representations of electrical conditions. A traveling wave directional subsystem may be configured to calculate an energy value of the traveling wave event during an accumulation period based on the detection of the traveling wave by the traveling wave disturbance detector. A maximum and a minimum energy value may be determined during the accumulation period. A fault direction may be determined based on the maximum energy value and the minimum energy value. A fault detector subsystem configured to declare a fault based on the determined fault direction.

Abstract: A vehicle can be configured to provide coasting coach support when approaching a learned deceleration area, advising on how to more efficiently operate the vehicle as it approaches the learned deceleration area. An indicator can be presented within the vehicle to inform the driver that coasting coach support is provided for the learned deceleration area. However, in certain situations, it may not be possible for a vehicle to provide coasting coach support for a learned deceleration area, such as may occur when the vehicle encounters two consecutive learned deceleration areas located in close proximity to each other. There may not be sufficient time to provide coasting coach support for the second of the two consecutive learned deceleration areas. In such instances, the vehicle can be configured to present the coasting coach indicator for the first deceleration area and to disable the coasting coach indicator for the second deceleration area.