Abstract: A method for inducing continuous separation of copper ions from copper using UV-light source, comprising the following steps: (1) cutting apiece of copper into wires or slices for immersing into a vessel containing water; switching on a stirrer for stirring the water continuously and keeping the copper being immersed in the water; (2) turning on the UV-light source for irradiating the copper and the water continuously; appearing a large amount of white precipitate in the water; (3) filtering the solution; detecting the filtered solution, a certain concentration copper ions in the filtered solution are found; adding hydrochloric acid by drops into the unfiltered original solution, the white precipitate is dissolved and copper ions are detected. The invention makes the copper separate out copper ions continuously and can be applied to copper ion disinfection for swimming-pool water, scenic water and cooling water, etc.

Abstract: A variable mechanical advantage shaft coupling (1), typically used in an electric power assisted steering system, comprising: an input shaft (2); an output shaft (3); and at least one lever (9), each lever comprising: a lever body; a first connection (5) connecting the lever body to a first shaft (2) of the input shaft and the output shaft at a point offset from an axis of rotation of the first shaft so that the lever body can pivot relative to the first shaft; a second connection (11) connecting the lever body to a second (3), different, shaft of the input shaft and the output shaft at a point offset from its axis of rotation so that the lever body can pivot relative to the second shaft; and a fulcrum point about which the lever body can pivot; in which each first connection (5) is able to slide along an axis substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the first and second shafts (2, 3) along the respective lever body, each lever connecting the input and output shafts (2, 3) with a mechanical advantage

Abstract: A system and method are provided for evacuating fuel from a closed-loop fuel rail after engine testing. The method includes coupling a coaxial hose to a closed-loop fuel rail of an engine. The coaxial hose defines an outer tube section defining an outer passage and surrounding an inner tube section defining an inner passage, and a portion of the inner tube section is inserted a predetermined distance into the fuel rail. The method includes transferring fuel from a fuel supply through the outer passage of the coaxial hose and into the fuel rail for use during an engine testing procedure. After the engine testing procedure is complete, the method includes injecting compressed gas through the inner passage and into the fuel rail, creating a positive pressure. Residual fuel is evacuated from the fuel rail out through the outer passage of the coaxial hose.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a fault of a component of a vehicle. The method also includes providing a plurality of modes of operation for the vehicle including an engine only mode, an electric only mode, a hybrid mode, a partial engine only mode, a partial electric only mode and a partial hybrid mode. At least two of the plurality of modes of operation that avoid use of the faulty component are displayed on a display screen, and a selection of one of the at least two of the plurality of modes of operation that are displayed on the display screen is received. The method includes activating at least one electric, mechanical or software isolator to isolate or disengage at least one component associated with electric propulsion of the vehicle or at least one component associated with combustion engine propulsion of the vehicle that includes the faulty component.

Abstract: Vehicles and vehicle systems for wirelessly charging portable electronic devices are disclosed. A vehicle includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules, a display, a wireless charger module, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the vehicle to present a wireless charger module input control on the display, detect tactile input indicative of a selection of the wireless charger module input control, and control the wireless charger module, in response to detecting the tactile input, thereby wirelessly charging the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic adjustment of a wearable device are provided. One embodiment of a method includes determining whether a navigation sensor is in a desired position and, in response to determining that the navigation sensor is not in a desired position, determining a desired modification to the navigation sensor for achieving the desired position. Some embodiments include determining a change of a repositioning device for achieving the desired modification to the navigation sensor and actuating the repositioning device to implement the change.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the natural evaporation rate of an LNG storage tank. The method for reducing the natural evaporation rate of an LNG storage tank comprises the steps of: manufacturing an LNG storage tank including a primary insulation layer and a secondary insulation layer; connecting one end of a second vacuum hose to the secondary insulation layer; connecting the other end of the second vacuum hose to a vacuum pump; and actuating the vacuum pump so as to lower the internal pressure of the secondary insulation layer. The method enables the inside of the secondary insulation layer to be a vacuum, and thus lowers the moisture content of plywood included in the secondary insulation layer.

Abstract: An aircraft, such as an unmanned aircraft, can include a forward propulsion system comprising one or more engines and one or more rotors coupled to a corresponding engine; a vertical propulsion system comprising one or more vertical propulsion engines and one or more corresponding rotors coupled thereto; a sensor package comprising one or more sensors to detect an operating parameter of the aircraft. It may further include an automatic recovery system that includes an input coupled to the sensor package; an output coupled to an aircraft controller; a processor to monitor one or more operating parameters of the aircraft, detect a failure of the forward propulsion system based on the operating parameters, and transition the aircraft to the vertical propulsion system for landing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling an auxiliary apparatus of drilling equipment in a drill ship. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus for controlling an auxiliary apparatus of drilling equipment in a drill ship comprises: drilling equipment controller for transmitting a main apparatus execution command to a DC/AC converter in order to operate a main apparatus; and the DC/AC converter for transmitting an auxiliary apparatus execution command to an MCC in order to operate an auxiliary apparatus related to the main apparatus when receiving the main apparatus execution command from the drilling equipment controller, and operating the main apparatus when the auxiliary apparatus is normally operated, wherein the auxiliary apparatus is an apparatus to be operated in advance in order to operate the main apparatus.

Abstract: Weapon equipment including a launcher and a projectile, the projectile having an operating head, a tail and a weight between 750 g and 1000 g. The tail includes a tube made of an aluminum alloy having an inner diameter between 21.5 and 22.5 mm, a stroke between first and second locations between 110 mm and 120 mm, and a thickness in the vicinity of the first location between 4.6 mm and 5 mm, a piston movable between the first and second locations and defining with the tube a hermetically-sealed propulsion chamber, a propulsion charge placed in the propulsion chamber, the propulsion charge including a powder having a heat of combustion between 3500 J/g and 4000 J/g, the propulsion charge having a mass greater than 2.4 g and less than 3.7 g.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a system having a power circuit. The power circuit includes a first switch circuit having at least a first transistor and a second switch circuit having at least a second transistor. Further, the power circuit includes first interconnections configured to couple the first switch circuit to driving nodes, a source node and a drain node of the power circuit, and second interconnection configured to couple the second switch circuit in parallel to the first switch circuit to the driving nodes, the source node and the drain node of the power circuit. A polarity of unbalance in the first interconnections and the second interconnections dominates a polarity of current unbalance in the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit.

Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector includes a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit connected to the heating element and a diagnostic circuit configured for determining integrity of the heater element. The heating circuit includes a heating element, a heating current source and a common mode choke having a first and a second winding, the heating element being connectable to the heating current source via the first and second windings. The diagnostic circuit includes at least one controllable switching element coupled across the second winding circuitry for injecting a DC current into a series connection formed by the first winding, the heating element and a parallel connection of the second winding and said at least one controllable switching element; and at least one detection circuit for detecting a voltage variation across the second winding.

Abstract: A cylinder head containing an exhaust system manifold for an engine includes screw holes formed through a fastening face of the cylinder head and an exhaust pipe, and outlet cooling channels that are provided adjacent to an outlet of a confluence of the manifold, and are disposed between the screw holes and the outlet. Coolant flows through the outlet cooling channels.

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft includes a forward propulsion system comprising one or more forward thrust engines and one or more corresponding rotors coupled to the forward thrust engines; a vertical propulsion system comprising one or more vertical thrust engines and one or more corresponding rotors coupled to the vertical thrust engines; and a pitch angle and throttle control system, comprising a processor configured to receive a first pitch angle command; and generate a second pitch angle command and a forward thrust engine throttle command based on a bounded pitch angle for the aircraft.

Abstract: An embedded component package structure includes a substrate. A first conductive component extends from a first surface of the substrate to a second surface of the substrate, a first conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the substrate, and a second conductive layer is disposed on the second surface of the substrate and is electrically connected to the first conductive layer by the first conductive component. A die is disposed in a through hole in the substrate. A back surface of the die is exposed from the second surface of the substrate. A first dielectric layer covers an active surface of the die and the first surface of the substrate. A third conductive layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer and is electrically connected to the die by a second conductive component. A first metal layer is disposed directly on the back surface of the die.

Abstract: The driver preferences system can determine driver habits and preferences based on output from a plurality of sensors. Utilizing the output from the plurality of sensors, an autonomous vehicle can operate according to the learning habits and preferences of the driver. The operator of the driver preferences system can finely adjust any habits or preferences via a driver preferences interface, as well as select preset modes including an aggressive driving mode or a cautious driving mode. Additionally, one or more driver profiles can be stored and selected via the driver preferences interface so that more than one driver can have an autonomous vehicle operator according to their personal driving habits and/or preferences.

Abstract: A motor-gearbox assembly includes a housing, a motor, and a gearbox. The housing includes a first alignment mechanism and a second alignment mechanism. The first alignment mechanism is at a first end of the housing and the second alignment mechanism is at a second end of the housing. The motor is mechanically positioned within the housing in accordance with the first alignment mechanism. The gearbox is mechanically positioned within the housing in accordance with the second alignment mechanisms to mechanically couple to the motor.

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft includes a forward propulsion system comprising one or more forward thrust engines and one or more corresponding rotors coupled to the forward thrust engines; a vertical propulsion system comprising one or more vertical thrust engines and one or more corresponding rotors coupled to the vertical thrust engines; a plurality of sensors; and a yaw control system, that includes a processor configured to monitor one or more aircraft parameters received from at least one of the plurality of sensors and to enter a free yaw control mode based on the received aircraft parameters.

Abstract: Vision-assist systems that inform visually impaired users regarding the current state of a room are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes an image sensor for obtaining a baseline image of the room including one or more items in the room positioned in an in-order state, and memory to store the baseline image. The system may include a motion sensor to detect when the user is approaching the room to activate the image sensor to obtain a real-time image of the room. A detection module determines whether the room and items in the room are in an in-order state or an out-of-order state when compared with the baseline image, and an output module notifies the user of the current state of room. In this manner, a visually impaired user can be informed of the state of a room which thereby aids the user in navigating or moving within the room.