Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector (10) comprises a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit (34, 36, 40) and a diagnostic circuit. The heating circuit includes a heating element (12). The impedance measurement circuit is connected to the heating element so as to measure impedance between the heating element and a node at ground potential. The diagnostic circuit is configured for measuring electrical resistance across the heating circuit and includes a heating current sensor (42), configured for sensing a heating current across the heating circuit, a current supply device (48) for driving a diagnostic current across the heating circuit and a current limiting ground path (50), configured for draining the diagnostic current and for blocking the heating current.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may operate in an environment in which there is an unexpected dynamic object. The autonomous vehicle can detect the dynamic object. The dynamic object can have an associated movement. The movement of the dynamic object can be tracked. The movement of the dynamic object can be classified as being one ballistic or non-ballistic. It can be determined whether the dynamic object is on a collision course with the autonomous vehicle. Responsive to determining that the dynamic object is on a collision course with the autonomous vehicle, a driving maneuver for the autonomous vehicle can be determined. The driving maneuver can be based at least in part on the movement of the dynamic object. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the determined driving maneuver.

Abstract: In an optical components automatic alignment robot, a motorized target moves closer or further from a digital camera being tested or assembled. A light sensor is used to automatically calibrate an ultraviolet (UV) or other light source used for curing adhesive. An automatic surface finder is used to accurately and repeatably find a surface on which adhesive is to be dispensed.

Abstract: A seat heater, e.g. for a vehicle seat, comprises a heating element (10) for dissipating heat when a heating current flows across it and a temperature sensor (15) for providing a temperature signal indicative of the seat temperature. The seat heater comprises a common mode choke (16) with at least three windings. The heating element is connected in series between a first (16.1) and a second (16.2) thereof so as to be operatively connectable to a power source (12) via the common mode choke. The temperature sensor is connected to a third winding (16.3) of the at least three windings in such a way that the temperature signal may be received, e.g. by a temperature controller of the seat heater, via the third winding of the common mode choke.

Abstract: An embedded chip substrate includes a first insulation layer, a core layer, a chip, a second insulation layer, a first circuit layer, and a second circuit layer. The core layer disposed on the first insulation layer has an opening that exposes a portion of the first insulation layer. The chip is adhered into a recess constructed by the opening and the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer is disposed on the core layer for covering the chip. The first circuit layer is disposed at the outer side of the first insulation layer located between the first circuit layer and the core layer. The second circuit layer is disposed at the outer side of the second insulation layer located between the second circuit layer and the core layer. The first circuit layer is electrically connected to the second circuit layer that is electrically connected to the chip.

Abstract: A combustion device includes a device main body having a combustion chamber installed above a cyclone melting furnace configured to combust a pyrolysis gas generated from a waste material after incineration while turning the pyrolysis gas, and configured to combust an unburnt gas discharged from the cyclone melting furnace. Further, the combustion device includes a plurality of sidewall boiler water pipes configured to cover a sidewall of the device main body from a periphery thereof and extending along the sidewall throughout upward and downward directions of the device main body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bonding structures useful in semiconductor packages. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, two pillar structures, and an insulation layer. The semiconductor element has a surface and includes at least one bonding pad disposed adjacent to the surface. The two pillar structures are disposed on a single bonding pad. The insulation layer is disposed adjacent to the surface of the semiconductor element. The insulation layer defines an opening, the opening exposes a portion of the single bonding pad, and the two pillar structures are disposed in the opening.

Abstract: A device having pressure independent control and balancing valves, suitable for use in a hydronic system, comprises a seat, a plug having an upstream surface and a downstream surface, and a piston, wherein the seat, plug and piston are aligned coaxially, a controller determines the size of a first flow restriction between the upstream surface of the plug and the seat, the piston is operable to move in response to differential pressure across the first restriction and a predetermined force, the position of the piston relative to the downstream surface of the plug determining the size of a second flow restriction thereby in use maintaining a substantially constant differential pressure across the first restriction.

Abstract: A lithium-air electrochemical cell is provided. The battery comprises: an anode compartment; a cathode compartment; and a lithium ion conductive membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment. The anode compartment comprises an anode having lithium, a lithium alloy or a porous material capable of adsorption and release of lithium and a lithium ion electrolyte, while the cathode compartment comprises an air electrode, an ionic liquid capable of supporting the reduction of oxygen and a dissolved concentration of potassium superoxide. A lithium ion concentration in the cathode compartment is low in comparison to the concentration of potassium ion.

Abstract: A power electronics assembly having a semiconductor device stack having a wide bandgap semiconductor device, a first electrode electrically coupled the wide bandgap semiconductor device, and a second electrode electrically coupled the wide bandgap semiconductor device. A substrate layer is coupled to the semiconductor device stack such that the first electrode is positioned between the substrate layer and the wide bandgap semiconductor device. The substrate layer includes a substrate inlet port and a substrate outlet port. An integrated fluid channel system extends between the substrate inlet and outlet ports and includes a substrate fluid inlet channel extending from the substrate inlet port into the substrate layer, a substrate fluid outlet channel extending from the substrate outlet port into the substrate layer, and one or more semiconductor fluid channels extending into the wide bandgap semiconductor device in fluid communication with the substrate fluid inlet and outlet channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an air filter configured to be mounted onto air inlets of turbochargers and superchargers. The air filter comprises a proximal base including an inlet receiver configured to receive an air inlet, a clamp to secure the air inlet within the inlet receiver, and a first opening aligned with a screw mechanism of the clamp. A filter medium fastened to the proximal base is configured to remove particulate matter and other contaminates from an incoming air stream. A distal end cap fastened to the filter medium comprises a second opening aligned with the first opening. A conduit within an interior cavity of the air filter is disposed between the first opening and the second opening, facilitating tightening and loosening the clamp by extending an appropriate tool through the interior cavity so as to engage the screw mechanism of the clamp.

Abstract: Methods and systems of bonding substrates include disposing a low melting point material and one or more high melting point materials having a higher melting temperature than a melting temperature of the low melting point material between a first substrate and a second substrate to form a substrate assembly including a contacting surface comprising first and second areas; applying a first force at the first area; and applying heat to form a bond layer between the first and second substrates. A first formed porosity of the bond layer is aligned with the first area of the contacting surface. A second formed porosity of the bond layer is aligned with the second area of the contacting surface to which the first force was not applied, and the first formed porosity is different from the second formed porosity.

Abstract: A vehicle hood assembly includes an outer hood panel and an inner hood panel coupled to and positioned below the outer hood panel in a vehicle vertical direction. A hood reinforcement strap is coupled to at least one of the outer hood panel and the inner hood panel. The hood reinforcement strap includes a strap base and lobe structures spaced-apart along a length of the strap base that extend outward from the strap base in the vehicle vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a portable mass airflow (MAF) training module configured to simulate an air intake into an internal combustion engine. An in-line blower draws an airflow through an air filter by way of a first air duct and a second air duct. A throttle assembly is coupled between the first air duct and the second air duct. The throttle assembly includes a throttle plate that may be rotated to regulate the airflow. The power output of the in-line blower is variable to simulate the air intake of various sizes of the internal combustion engine. A MAF sensor and a duct velocity sensor are configured to provide airflow information. The portable MAF training module enables a practitioner to select a desired throttle setting and observe a resultant mass airflow through the portable MAF training module that is measured by the MAF sensor.

Abstract: A system for recovering waste heat energy for a motor assisted turbocharger, including a turbine, a first power transmission device connected on a first side to the turbine, a drive gear disposed about and connected on a first side to a second side of the first power transmission device, a second power transmission device connected on a first side to a second side of the drive gear, and a compressor connected to a second side of the second power transmission device. The system further includes a motor gear drivingly connected to the drive gear, a motor generator connected to the motor gear, a waste heat recovery circuit including an expander, an output gear connected to the expander and drivingly connected to the motor gear.

Abstract: An engineered plant-derived transfer (P-)DNA was designed and constructed based on a couple of T-DNA homologous sequences in sugar beet genome. Plant transformation efficacy of the engineered P-DNA was analyzed compared to conventional T-DNA in two independent systems, stable transformation of tobacco plant and sugar beet hairy roots. The outcomes demonstrated that plant transformation is directed well by vectors carrying the engineered P-DNA with higher efficiency than the conventional binary vector in both experimental systems. This vector was further improved by adding two matrix attachment regions within P-DNA. This new vector was even more efficient in gene transfer, higher than conventional binary vector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for an air filter configured to be mounted onto an air inlet of an internal combustion engine. The air filter comprises a first end cap configured to couple with a base which is configured to support a conventional air filter and provide an interface between the conventional air filter and the air inlet. A filter medium which is relatively thicker than the conventional air filter is configured to remove particulate matter and other contaminates from an incoming airstream. A second end cap is configured to couple with a cover which is configured to fasten the conventional air filter and the base onto the air inlet, such that the incoming airstream is directed through the filter medium. The air filter is configured to be installed in place of the conventional air filter without necessitating alteration of the base and cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is an art wall for customized installation of shelves includes a plurality of guide members which are spaced from each other and installed to a wall and are provided with a plurality of bracket fitting holes in a longitudinal direction; a wall finishing material which is interposed between the plurality of guide members to cover the wall; a shelf which is detachably engaged to the guide members, so that an object is placed on the shelf; a fixing bracket which is engaged to the shelf to fix the shelf to the guide members, and is provided with a protruding boss to be fitted into the bracket fitting holes; and a bracket coupler configured to detachably engage the shelf to the fixing bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an inline fuel pump for conveying liquid fuel from a fuel source to an intake of an internal combustion engine. The inline fuel pump operates with various fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, gasoline-ethanol blends, as well as commonly used fuel additives. The inline fuel pump comprises an inlet placed into fluid communication with the fuel source. An outlet of the inline fuel pump is placed into fluid communication with the intake. An electric motor coupled with an internal liquid pump convey liquid fuel from the inlet to the outlet. The electric motor and the internal liquid pump are housed within a sealed case configured to protect the electric motor and the liquid pump from an exterior environment. Power leads convey electrical power from an electrical system of the vehicle to the electric motor.