Abstract: A method of detecting a hand positioning on a steering wheel using a sensing system having an electrically conducting signal line on a rim of the steering wheel with a priori knowledge about a relation between a distance of any portion of the signal line from a reference point and information on a position on the rim, and which further includes an electric impedance change of predefined magnitude that is permanently arranged at a predefined position along the signal line, a signal voltage source, and a control and evaluation unit. From a received measurement signal traveling along the signal line and having been reflected by the electric impedance change and by another portion or portions of the signal line, a reference travel time is determined. A position or positions on the rim of the other portion or portions of the signal line can then be determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predictive assessment of driver perception abilities based on driving behavior personalized to the driver in connection with, but not necessarily, autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. In accordance with on embodiment, a method comprises receiving first vehicle operating data and associated first gaze data of a driver operating a vehicle; training a model for the driver based on the first vehicle operating data and the first gaze data, the model indicating driving behavior of the driver; receiving second vehicle operating data and associated second gaze data of the driver; and determining that an ability of the driver to perceive hazards is impaired based on applying the model to the second vehicle operating data and associated second gaze data.

Abstract: A device for analyzing biological samples comprises first, second, third, and fourth layers. The first layer comprises a sample chamber in which a sample is positioned. The second layer comprises first, second, and third channels. A third, porous layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer. A fourth layer composed of a substantially liquid-impermeable material is positioned between the second layer and the third layer. The fourth layer includes first and second pass-through channels that are aligned with the first and second channel, respectively. Fluids that flow in the first and second channels pass through the pass-through channels and diffuse into the sample chamber, establishing a chemical concentration gradient therein. A gas in the sample chamber can diffuse through the third and fourth layers and interact with a fluid flowing in the third channel, establishing a gas concentration gradient in the sample chamber.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming supported catalyst compositions and/or corresponding intermediate catalyst products. The catalyst compositions have improved activity for hydroprocessing of distillate boiling range feeds under hydroprocessing conditions where the hydrogen partial pressure in the hydroprocessing environment is reduced or minimized. The catalyst compositions can correspond to supported CoMo catalysts. The improved activity for hydroprocessing under lower pressure conditions is unexpectedly achieved by using a plurality of treatments with organic compounds during the catalyst formation process.

Abstract: An assembly for the production of conical paper sleeves for floral groupings comprises a system configured to continuously feed sheets of paper stock along an elongated surface of a folding table, wherein a first fold and a second fold are applied to a single sheet of paper stock with an amount of adhesive disposed there between using an assembly of belts, rollers, electrical motors, sensors, and fold guides, all of which may be electronically monitored and controlled by a processor disposed in connection with an operator console. Alternatively, the production of conical paper sleeves may instead comprise a semi-automated assembly configured to allow for the movement of an adhesive applicator along a predetermined route while an operator thereof manually applies a first fold and second fold to a single sheet of paper stock. Such predetermined route may be fully configurable and customizable by an operator of such semi-automated assembly.

Abstract: An arch grid bolted sphere node rotating and fixing device and an arch grid mounting system. The device includes a base, a fixing part, and a rotating part. The fixing part includes a groove body, a first vertical plate, and a second vertical plate. The groove body, the first vertical plate, and the second vertical plate are respectively connected to the base. A notch of the groove body is obliquely upward. The first vertical plate and the second vertical plate are respectively located on opposite sides of the groove body. The first vertical plate is provided with a first through hole. The second vertical plate is provided with a second through hole. The first through hole and the second through hole are formed oppositely. The rotating part includes a first rod piece, a rotating sphere, and a second rod piece that are connected in sequence.

Abstract: A rest stop recommendation system monitors driving behavior of a driver and stores information indicating the driving behavior as historical data, determines, based at least in part on the historical data, a driver tiredness state, a continuous driving length preference, and a refueling pattern preference, determines a time to recommend a rest stop based at least in part on the driver tiredness state, the continuous driving length preference, and the refueling pattern preference, extracts, from a map database, a plurality of rest stops within a predetermined radius of a position of the vehicle, determines rest stop characteristic preferences based at least in part on the historical data, selects one or more potential rest stops from among the plurality of rest stops based at least in part on the rest stop characteristic preferences, and presents the one or more potential rest stops to the driver in a recommendation.

Abstract: In the gas disperser (3), a flow conditioning device (5, 6) is located in the inlet duct section (32). The flow conditioning device comprises a hole plate (5) and a flow straightener (6) positioned in parallel with and at a distance (h) in the axial direction (axd) from the downstream side of the hole plate (5). The hole plate (5) has a predefined hole plate thickness (tp) in the axial direction (axd) and each flow straightener (6) has a predefined flow straightener length (Is) in the axial direction (axd), the flow straightener length (Is) being substantially larger than the hole plate thickness (tp).

Abstract: A system for controlling DC-to-DC converters connected in parallel can include a first DC-to-DC converter, a second DC-to-DC converter, and a controller. The first DC-to-DC converter can be connected between a first node and a second node. The first DC-to-DC converter can be configured to maintain a voltage level at the second node. The second DC-to-DC converter can be connected between the first node and the second node. The controller can be configured to measure a current through the first DC-to-DC converter. The controller can be configured to cause, in response to a measure of the current being in a specific relationship with respect to a threshold current, a change in electric power being conveyed through the second DC-to-DC converter to cause the second DC-to-DC converter to respond to a subsequent change in electric power being conveyed through the second node.

Abstract: The casting material may be formed around the casting core using a variety of conventional casting techniques including direct liquid metal infiltration, pressure assisted casting, and centrifugal casting among others.

Abstract: A mold locking assembly includes a mold set with a first mold and a second mold adjacent the first mold, a catch plate rigidly attached to the first mold, and a base plate rigidly attached to the second mold. The base plate includes a pair of posts spaced apart from each other and extending from a base portion of the base plate in a normal direction. An L-shaped latch arm pivotally attached to the pair of posts is included and the L-shaped latch arm is configured to engage the catch plate and hold the first mold adjacent to the second mold.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an adjustable holographic metamaterial antenna structure, wherein the structure comprises: a surface waveguide feed network configured to connect to a power dividing network; a varactor diode bias circuit configured to comprise a direct current bias circuit and a plurality of varactor diodes associated with the direct current bias circuit; and a metamaterial surface arranged above the direct current bias circuit, and the metamaterial surface and the direct current bias circuit are connected through a bias via hole; wherein the metamaterial surface and the direct current bias circuit separately perform direct current bias feeding on each of the varactor diodes, and an interference pattern of the metamaterial surface is changed to achieve scanning of a radiation pattern. The present invention solves the problems that a two-dimensional feed network layout of a holographic-metamaterial antenna is difficult and is easy to interfere with radio frequency signals.

Abstract: A sound attenuating engine exhaust system and methods are provided for directing exhaust gases away from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle and attenuating undesirable exhaust sounds during engine operation. The sound attenuating engine exhaust system comprises an exhaust inlet configured to receive exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine. A first resonator coupled with the exhaust inlet is configured to dampen at least one frequency of exhaust sound waves by way of destructive wave interference. The first resonator includes an exhaust outlet for directing the exhaust gases out of the first resonator. A second resonator is coupled with the first resonator and configured to dampen one or more frequencies of exhaust sound waves by way of a combination of destructive wave interference and Helmholtz resonance. Hangers facilitate attaching the sound attenuating engine exhaust system to an undercarriage of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems described herein relate to sensing pressure. In one arrangement, a pressure sensor is disclosed. The pressure sensor includes a circuit including a resistor, an inductor, and a capacitor. The circuit generates an electrical resonance. The resistor is an elastomer having a resistance and connected to an outer surface of an inflatable. The pressure sensor also includes a resonator connected to the circuit. The resonator generates a mechanical resonance coupling with the electrical resonance to create a detuning frequency having a sublinear dependence on the resistance of the elastomer. A pressure of the inflatable correlates with the detuning frequency.

Abstract: An actuator can include an outer body. At least a portion of the outer body can be configured to pivot. The actuator can include a contracting member, such as a shape memory material member. When an activation input is provided to the contracting member, the contracting member can contract. As a result, the actuator can be caused to morph into an activated configuration in which a dimension, such as the height, of the actuator increases.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for correcting vehicle position estimations are provided. In an example implementation, the systems and methods disclosed herein detect a first landmark and determining a first position of the detected first landmark in a first section of an environment using one or more sensors of a vehicle while the vehicle travels in the first section, estimate a position of the vehicle in a second section of the environment, and update the estimated position of the vehicle in the second section according to the first position of the detected first landmark in the first section of the environment. In an illustrative example, the environment can be an indoor environment, such as, but not limited to, a multi-floor parking structure where the first section a floor and the second section is another floor.

Abstract: An electronic package is provided. The electronic package includes a power regulating component, an electronic component, and a circuit structure. The circuit structure separates the power regulating component and the electronic component. The circuit structure is configured to provide a first power to the power regulating component. The power regulating component is configured to provide a second power to the electronic component through the circuit structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hybrid dialkylphosphinate salt, a method for preparing same, and use thereof. The hybrid dialkylphosphinate salt is selected from at least one of the compounds represented by Formula (I). The hybrid dialkylphosphinate salt of Formula (I) provided herein features a low required loading level, high flame retardant efficiency for various polymers, and good thermal stability. The present invention overcomes the disadvantage of low flame retardant efficiency of diethylphosphinate in polymers as well as low thermal stability and large dust of dipropylphosphinate. The hybrid dialkylphosphinate salt of Formula (I) can be widely applied to flame retardant polymers which require high-temperature processing.

Abstract: An underwater milling suction robot, and relates to the technical field of milling equipment. The underwater milling suction robot comprises a self-propelled platform. A jacking and slewing mechanism is arranged on a top surface of the self-propelled platform. A powerful milling suction actuator and an obstacle cleaning mechanism are arranged on the outer side of the jacking and slewing mechanism. The underwater milling suction robot also comprises an automatic control system. The self-propelled platform, the jacking and slewing mechanism, the powerful milling suction actuator and the obstacle cleaning mechanism are electrically connected with the automatic control system.