Abstract: A popcorn ceiling scraper includes a scraping head with multiple blades, at least one of which is oriented horizontally in the same plane as the scraping head with other blades extending vertically from the scraping head. The ceiling scraper has a funnel arranged below the scraping head, and the funnel and the scraping head are formed to reach to an edge or juncture between a ceiling and a wall.

Abstract: A method includes collecting, via processing circuitry, a first set of multi-load data from a power control unit of a vehicle and usage data at a first servicing of the vehicle, computing, via the processing circuitry, a Mahalanobis Distance (MD) using the first set of multi-load data, defining, via the processing circuitry, a healthy state and an anomaly threshold based on the MD, correlating, via the processing circuitry, the first set of usage data to the anomaly threshold; generating, via the processing circuitry, a usage based servicing schedule for a vehicle; collecting, via the processing circuitry, a next set of multi-load data and usage data at a next servicing of the vehicle; updating, via the processing circuitry, the MD, a servicing schedule and evaluating the performance of the vehicle; determining, via the processing circuitry, whether the MD crosses the anomaly threshold; and transmitting, via a network, a servicing alert.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for supplying a reducing gas to the shaft part of a blast furnace with which a large amount of reducing gas containing hydrogen at a high concentration can be supplied to a deeper position in the blast furnace (location of the blast furnace closer to the center axis in the radial direction) and with which it is possible to reduce the total generated amount of CO2 of the CO2 amount that is reduced by conducting hydrogen smelting in the blast furnace and the CO2 amount that is generated during production of the reducing gas supplied to the blast furnace. The method for supplying a reducing gas to the shaft part of a blast furnace according to the present invention is characterized by reforming coke oven gas by increasing the temperature thereof to 1200 to 1800° C.

Abstract: A workpiece handling system for inspection of workpieces having an elongated cylindrical segment with an enlarged feature such as a threaded fastener. A pair of rollers is inclined with respect to horizontal, and having cylindrical surfaces separated by a gap and rotated about parallel axes, with upwardly presented end surfaces. A drive arrangement rotates the rollers. A slide mechanism enables the rollers to be set at a first and second separation gaps. A workpiece transfer mechanism loads the workpiece onto the rollers, rotation of the rollers set at the first separation gap causes the workpieces to rotate. A sensor probe is positioned in close proximity to the workpiece head as the workpiece is rotated. A workpiece receiving system is provided for handling the workpieces when the rollers are set to the separation second gap, allowing the workpiece to fall under gravity between the rollers.

Abstract: An adaptive vehicle control system that includes processors, memory modules communicatively coupled to the processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules that cause the adaptive vehicle control system to determine an autonomous operation profile of a target vehicle positioned in a vehicle operating environment, wherein the vehicle operating environment includes a roadway having one or more lanes, determine an autonomous operation profile of one of more neighboring vehicles positioned within the vehicle operating environment, compare the autonomous operation profile of at least one of the one or more neighboring vehicles with the autonomous operation profile of the target vehicle, and alter a condition of the target vehicle such that the autonomous operation profile of the target vehicle matches an autonomous operation profile of an individual neighboring vehicle of the one or more neighboring vehicles positioned in the same lane as the target vehicle.

Abstract: A substrate structure includes a dielectric layer, a first circuit layer, at least one conductive structure and a first protective layer. The first circuit layer is disposed adjacent to a first surface of the dielectric layer. The conductive structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed on the first circuit layer. The first protective layer is disposed on the dielectric layer and contacts at least a portion of a sidewall of the first portion of the conductive structure. The first circuit layer and the conductive structure are integrally formed.

Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a console housing including a storage compartment including a floor, a front wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls that extend between the front wall and the end wall defining a storage volume. A device charging tray includes a floor, a front wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls that extend between the front wall and the rear wall defining a storage volume. The device charging tray includes a raised support boss that extends out of the floor at the front wall. The raised support boss reduces a distance between the floor and an edge of the front wall. The raised support boss is located to support a mobile computing device positioned within the storage volume of the device charging tray spaced from the floor.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a high-activity specific-valence electrolyte of an all-vanadium redox flow battery. A vanadium-containing material is reduced into a low-valence vanadium oxide with an average valence in the range of 3.0-4.5 through precise control of fluidization, then water and sulfuric acid are added for dissolution, and microwave field is further adopted for activation, so as to obtain a specific-valence vanadium electrolyte. Efficient utilization of heat is achieved through heat exchange between the vanadium-containing material and reduction tail gas and heat exchange between the reduction product and fluidized nitrogen gas. An internal member and feed outlets at different heights are arranged in a reduction fluidized bed to achieve precise control over the valence state of the reduction product, and the special chemical effect of the microwave field is used to activate the vanadium ions, thereby improving the activity of the electrolyte greatly.

Abstract: A capacitive vehicle seat occupancy detection and classification system includes an impedance measurement circuit and a control and evaluation unit. The impedance measurement circuit is configured for providing periodic electrical measurement signals to a capacitive sensor of N different fundamental frequencies, wherein N is a natural number of at least 3, and to determine a complex impedance from each of determined sense currents in the capacitive sensor. The control and evaluation unit is configured to determine a seat occupancy class for each one of the complex impedances determined at the at least N different fundamental frequencies, and to determine a final seat occupancy class derived by a majority decision among the determined seat occupancy classes.

Abstract: A semiconductor package device includes a leadframe, a first die and a package body. The leadframe includes a first die paddle and a lead. The first die paddle has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first die is disposed on the first surface of the first die paddle. The package body covers the first die and at least a portion of the first surface of the first die paddle and exposing the lead. The package body has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface of the package body is substantially coplanar with the second surface of the first die paddle. The lead extends from the second surface of the package body toward the first surface of the package body. A length of the lead is greater than a thickness of the package body.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus that improves the motion and sounds of a model locomotive such that they more closely represent or simulate that of a real locomotive. The motion and sounds are changed in such a way that it is more realistic when compared to a real locomotive that is pulling a heavy load.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing a movable charging coil are provided. One embodiment includes a console that includes a device receptacle. Embodiments also include a first biased retention finger and a second biased retention finger disposed on the device receptacle, where the first biased retention finger and the second biased retention finger removably secure any of a plurality of differently sized mobile devices. Embodiments may also include a movable charging coil that is disposed within the console, as well as a computing device. The computing device may include logic that, when executed by a processor causes the computing device to determine a type of mobile device received in the device receptacle, and adjust a position of the movable charging coil.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for diffractive waveplate lens and mirror systems allowing electronically focusing light at different focal planes. The system can be incorporated into a variety of optical schemes for providing electrical control of transmission. In another embodiment, the system comprises diffractive waveplate of different functionality to provide a system for controlling not only focusing but other propagation properties of light including direction, phase profile, and intensity distribution.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for making and using laser pointers and laser illuminators with reduced risk of optical sensor damage such as eye injuries due to laser radiation from the pointer or illuminator, while scattered beams from the laser pointer or laser illuminator are visible to the optical sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate for supporting an antenna pattern. The substrate includes a porous anodic oxide layer having a plurality of pores formed by anodizing metal. A metallic material is filled in at least a part of the pores.

Abstract: A method of drying sticks, a related apparatus, resultant product and its uses where the method involves presenting a plurality of sticks in parallel as a single layer, pressing each stick with a bank of pressing members on and/or into at least one face of the sticks, each with plurality of protuberances, thereby to constrain the sticks against crook, and drying the sticks when so constrained. Preferably each bank of pressing members is an underside of a frame or lattice of a stack of such frames or lattices able to receive such a single layer of sticks between adjacent overlying/underlying frames or lattices, the protuberances preferably being only downwardly directed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the flow and transport of catalyst particles within a reaction system. The flow of catalyst particles can be managed using a rotating disc or wheel that is configured within a roller volume to allow for control over the rate of catalyst flow while reducing or minimizing attrition of the catalyst particles. This can be achieved in part by maintaining a relationship between the center of the rotating disc, the inlet for catalyst particles to the roller volume, and the top wall of the roller volume so that catalyst particles are not exposed to compressive forces and/or abrasion during rotation of the disc. Additionally or alternately, the disc and roller volume surfaces can be configured to reduce or minimize the potential for catalyst particles to become trapped in “dead space” regions within the roller volume.

Abstract: A substantially parallelogramatic insert having a downward inclined main cutting edge and an auxiliary cutting edge in part of a long-side ridgeline and a short-side ridgeline adjacent to a pair of corner cutting edges of an upper surface; the main cutting edge being constituted by first to third straight cutting edges; the first to third straight cutting edges being connected in a bent-line shape with inward obtuse crossing angles when viewed from above, such that the second straight cutting edge is positioned outermost; and cutting edge angles ?1, ?2, ?3 between the rake faces and flanks of the first to third straight cutting edges meeting the relation of ?1>?2>?3.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for adjusting coasting guidance and control. The coasting guidance system includes a user interface for displaying coasting information. The coasting guidance system includes an electronic control unit coupled to the user interface and configured to determine a location of a stop event. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a braking location and a target speed based on the location of the stop event. The electronic control unit is configured to determine an ideal coasting location based on the braking location and determine an actual coasting location. The actual coasting location is where the driver begins coasting. The electronic control unit is configured to control a deceleration drive force of the vehicle to decelerate the vehicle to the target speed at the braking location based on the braking location, the actual coasting location and the ideal coasting location.

Abstract: A system for providing, to a user, navigation directions to a point of interest. The system includes a device having an output unit configured to output the navigation directions to the point of interest. The device is configured to communicate, to an unmanned vehicle, a point of interest identification. The system also includes the unmanned vehicle having a camera configured to detect image data. The unmanned vehicle is configured to determine whether the point of interest identification is detected from the image data. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to determine a point of interest location when the point of interest identification is detected from the image data. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to determine point of interest navigation data based on the point of interest location. The unmanned vehicle is also configured to communicate, to the device, the point of interest navigation data.