Abstract: An apparatus and a method for steering a chip scale LIDAR. A light detection and ranging apparatus includes an actuator with at least one pocket and at least one channel connected to the at least one pocket formed inside a material below a top surface of the actuator, a chip scale LIDAR attached on the top surface of the soft actuator, at least one pump connected to the at least one channel, and an actuation controller configured to control the at least one pump and to activate at least one mode of the actuator.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a transducer including a sensing area and a covering structure that covers the transducer. The covering structure includes a shelter portion and defines at least one aperture. The shelter portion covers the sensing area. The aperture includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface farther away from the sensing area than the first curved surface, and a first center of a first curvature of the first curved surface is at a different location than a second center of a second curvature of the second curved surface.

Abstract: A hub-rotor adapter for use with a disc brake assembly having an axle hub and rotor. The hub-rotor adapter may include an adapter body having a wall forming an annular opening at an inboard end thereof; the adapter body having an inboard flange shaped to be attached to the rotor, and an outboard flange shaped to be attached to the axle hub.

Abstract: A method and device for object detection are disclosed. In one aspect, a method comprises transmitting a plurality of signals into a region; measuring a noise level during a noise measurement time interval corresponding to each respective one of the plurality of transmitted signals; generating a threshold signal dependent on the noise level; and comparing a first plurality of signals received by a sensor, each of the received signals corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of the transmitted signals, with the respective threshold signal. In another aspect, a device comprising components adapted to carry out the steps of object detection is disclosed. In one example, a thresholding circuit is adapted to generate a threshold signal have a level corresponding to substantially a peak-to-peak level of the measured noise level.

Abstract: A system provides for radio frequency detection of an offending device within a specific range of a body worn device. Upon detection of the radio frequency signal, the body worn device jams communications by the offending device and optionally communicates to an infrastructure to alert of the presence and optionally the location of the radio frequency signal, and therefore the offending device. In some embodiments, the user and/or location of the body worn device is/are revealed and the source of the radio frequency signal is readily determined for confiscation of the offending device. Other optional features include locating/tracking of the body worn device (and wearer) detection of tampering with the body worn device, and detection of cloaking of the body worn device (e.g. submerging in water or covering with aluminum foil, etc.).

Abstract: A connector assembly having a housing and a shaft; at least a groove in the housing or on the shaft; one of the housing and the shaft has a first component and a second component; there being at least a first groove configuration and a second groove configuration resulting from two different relative positions of the first and second components; the first and second groove configurations resulting in a first insertion force and a first removal force of the shaft into and from the housing and a second insertion force and a second removal force of the shaft into and from the housing, respectively.

Abstract: A resonant type high frequency power supply device provided with a power semiconductor element that performs a switching operation, the power supply device including a second power semiconductor element at least one or more connected in parallel to the power semiconductor element to achieve optimization of parasitic capacitances of the power semiconductor element and the second power semiconductor element itself, and a high frequency pulse drive circuit that transmits a pulse-shaped voltage signal having a high frequency exceeding 2 MHz to the power semiconductor element and the second power semiconductor element to drive the power semiconductor element and the second power semiconductor element.

Abstract: An electrically driven eccentric weight industrial vibrator comprises a housing, a stator, a rotor, and at least one eccentric weight. The housing defines an internal chamber. The stator is positioned within the internal chamber of the housing and is fixed in rotation relative to the housing. The rotor encircles the stator and is rotationally connected to the stator and the housing in a manner such that the rotor is able to revolve around the stator within the internal chamber of the housing. The eccentric weight is mounted to the rotor in a manner such that the eccentric weight is able to revolve about the stator together with the rotor.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing a fatty acid ester of the present invention comprises (a) mixing and agitating an oil and fat starting material and a lower alcohol, and supplying a mixture to one of the catalyst reaction tubes filled with a lipase; (b) producing a fatty acid ester and glycerin in the catalyst reaction tube; (c) introducing an outflowing liquid from the catalyst reaction tube into a glycerin separation tank, thereby collecting the glycerin; (d) adding a lower alcohol to a separated liquid obtained by separating the glycerin from the outflowing liquid, mixing and agitating an obtained material, and supplying a mixture to a following catalyst reaction tube; (e) repeating the steps (b) to (d) until supply to a last catalyst reaction tube is performed; and (f) collecting a fatty acid ester from the separated liquid obtained from the last catalyst reaction tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glass-ceramic compositions, as well as methods for forming such composition. In particular, the compositions include various polymorphs of silica that provide beneficial thermal expansion characteristics (e.g., a near linear thermal strain). Also described are methods of forming such compositions, as well as connectors including hermetic seals containing such compositions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting coking in a wash bed of a vacuum pipe still with a sensing cable including an optical fiber sensor array aligned with a heating element disposed in the vessel. An optical signal interrogator is configured to measure a first temperature profile at a plurality of sensor locations to determine a flow distribution. An excitation source is configured to propagate at least one heat pulse through the heating element and the optical signal interrogator is configured to measure a second temperature profile corresponding to the heat pulse at the sensor locations. A control unit is configured to detect coking by determining one or more properties of the media exposed to the sensing cable at each of the plurality of sensor locations based on the second temperature profile corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus for performing heat treatment of treatment objects inside a cylindrical body by heating the cylindrical body and rotating the cylindrical body around an axis, includes a pair of movable support parts provided on opposite ends of the cylindrical body along the axis of the cylindrical body so as to be able to move along the axis and rotatably support the cylindrical body around the axis, and a fixed support part provided between the pair of the movable support parts along the axis so as to be unable to move along the axis and rotatably support the cylindrical body around the axis. The cylindrical body is supported by a three-point support of the pair by the movable support parts and the fixed support part.

Abstract: A pin joint type structural member, made of double steel pipe consisting of a main pipe and a stiffening pipe, restrains buckling so as to be stable under axial compressive force. A clearance between the stiffening pipe 2 and the reinforcing member is determined so that a ratio (Pc2/Pc2) of the reinforcing member contact force with the stiffening pipe inner surface at the end 4b of a counter-clevis side, to the reinforcing member contact force with the stiffening pipe inner surface at the end 4a of the clevis side may be 0.40 to 0.65 when the reinforcing member 4 inclines to the main pipe 1 due to the axial force acting on the main pipe 1. In addition, a length Lin that the stiffening pipe 2 overlaps with the reinforcing member 4 is at least 1.1 times as large as the reinforcing member outer diameter at the overlapping portion.

Abstract: Embodiments include eyewash valves in which the temperature of the water emerging from the valve is thermostatically controlled by a wax motor which regulates the flow of hot and cold water through the valve. Embodiments include provisions for continuing water flow through the valve despite failure of the hot water supply. Embodiments also include provisions for water flow through the valve despite failure of the wax motor in the upper position or in the lower position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resonant type high frequency power supply device provided with a power element that performs a switching operation, the power supply device including a high frequency pulse drive circuit 1 that transmits a pulse-shaped voltage signal having a high frequency exceeding 2 MHz to the power element to drive the power element, wherein a voltage signal from the high frequency pulse drive circuit 1 is subjected to partial resonance by an impedance of a signal line of the voltage signal and a parasitic capacitance of the power element.

Abstract: A reusable container and a method of using same to transport fragile, yet heavy loads, is provided. The reusable container, preferably made primarily from wood, includes a base member, at least one vertical member having one or more vertical support members capable of being received in one or more interlock pockets in the base member, a top or lid and a cargo support member. These components interact in such a way as to provide for ease of assembly and disassembly by a single person, and to provide a container having great strength when assembled. More specifically, the at least one vertical member interlocks with the base member and adjacent vertical members, thus minimizing the need for supplemental fasteners.

Abstract: A diagnostic monitoring system and method is employed for one or more vapor compression systems such as air conditioners and heat pumps having a compressor, an indoor air handler fan coil and an outdoor condensor. Temperature, voltage and current sensors are provided at the outdoor condensor to determine that at least one vapor compression system is operating properly. Data obtained from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted to a receiving-device for use by the systems' custodian or repair service provider and includes information concerning an occurrence of periods when one or more of the vapor compression systems are operating at an abnormal state.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same is described. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The first capacitor includes a first conductive layer, a first insulating layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate. The first insulating layer is disposed on the first conductive layer and has a first peripheral edge. The second conductive layer is disposed on the first insulating layer and has a second peripheral edge. The second capacitor includes a third conductive layer, a second insulating layer and the second conductive layer. The second insulating layer is disposed on the second conductive layer and has a third peripheral edge. The third conductive layer is disposed on the second insulating layer and has a fourth peripheral edge. The first, second, third and fourth peripheral edges are aligned with one another.