Abstract: An air pump capable of twist-locking engagement includes a body housing, a head housing, a leakproof ring, an elastic sleeve, a pushing member and an end cap. The body housing has a cam section formed as a tube having a quarter-round section. The head housing has an opening segment. The head housing and the body housing are rotatably coupled with the leakproof ring arranged therebetween. The elastic sleeve is located at the opening segment of the head housing. The pushing member is located at one end of the elastic sleeve and received in the cam section. The end cap is screwed to the opening segment for pressing against and positioning the elastic sleeve. By a twisting operation of the air pump, the cam section can be turned to engage or release an air valve of an article to be inflated.

Abstract: A method for determining start and stop times of at least one selected operation on a pipe deployment vessel includes measuring either or both tension on a pipe deployed from a reel on the vessel and velocity of pipe motion with respect to the vessel. Rotational velocity of the reel is measured. Geodetic position of the vessel with respect to time is measured. The start and stop times of the at least one selected operation are determined from the measured tension, motion velocity, rotational velocity and geodetic position. The start and stop times are recorded.

Abstract: A computing device configured for communication with at least one autonomously controllable vehicle system or component. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to transmit a message configured to inform a vehicle user of all currently available levels of vehicle automation.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for identifying and reporting failures of an analog to digital (A/D) conversion system. An A/D conversion system includes a test signal generator configured to generate a test signal including an identifiable characteristic, an A/D converter configured to convert an analog signal measured at an input of the A/D converter to a digital output, and signal injection circuitry configured to inject at least a portion of the test signal from the test signal generator as an injected signal into the analog signal using trace-to-trace crosstalk. A method includes determining whether the digital output generated by the A/D converter indicates the identifiable characteristic.

Abstract: A tailstock assembly includes a housing, a torque cell supported on the housing and configured to measure loads in a first load range, and a load cell supported on the housing and configured to measure loads in a second load range that is different from the first load range. The tailstock assembly is configured so that the torque cell can be selectively mechanically isolated from the housing. In particular, the torque cell and the load cell are supported on the housing through a low friction bearing, and the tailstock assembly can be selectively switched between a first measurement mode in which the torque cell is fixed to the housing, and a second measurement mode in which the torque cell is mechanically isolated from housing via the bearing. The tailstock assembly may be used as part of a brake dynamometer for accurately measuring both active braking torques and residual drag torques.

Abstract: A method/system for maintaining the energy efficiency history of predicted route segments in a database, providing adaptive feedback to hybrid vehicle controls, and displaying the energy efficiency history to the driver. As the vehicle travels on a route, the system stores energy efficiency information for route segments. The system may include sensors, a memory, and a processor to learn energy efficiency information based on how fuel and battery power are used over a route segment and/or route. The method/system may utilize energy efficiency information to adjust a start/stop engine threshold of a hybrid vehicle. When the processor predicts that the vehicle will travels on the predicted route segment again, the vehicle may optimize powertrain parameters such as the start/stop engine threshold during traveling on the predicted route segment and/or before reaching the predicted route segment.

Abstract: This invention refers to a microporous crystalline material of zeolitic nature that has, in its calcined state and in the absence of defects in its crystalline matrix manifested by the presence of silanols, the empirical formula x(M1/nXO2):yYO2:gGeO2:(1?g)SiO2 in which M is selected between H+, at least one inorganic cation of charge +n, and a mixture of both, X is at least one chemical element of oxidation state +3, Y is at least one chemical element with oxidation state +4 different from Si, x takes a value between 0 and 0.2, both included, y takes a value between 0 and 0.1, both included, g takes a value between 0 and 0.5, both included that has been denoted ITQ-55, as well as a method for its preparation. This invention also relates to uses of the crystalline material of zeolitic nature for adsorption of fluid components, membrane separation of fluid components, storage of fluid components, and catalysis of various conversion reactions.

Abstract: Operations of an autonomous vehicle while waiting to make a turn from a center turn lane are described. In response to determining that the detected object intends on turning through the center turn lane from a transverse direction, it can be determined whether an object turning path for the detected object would impinge upon the autonomous vehicle in the center turn lane. If the object turning path would impinge upon the autonomous vehicle, determining a driving maneuver for the autonomous vehicle that would move the autonomous vehicle to a new position within the center turn lane to allow the autonomous vehicle to make the turn according to an adjusted vehicle turning path while also allowing the detected object to turn through the center turn lane according to an adjusted object turning path without impinging upon the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the determined driving maneuver.

Abstract: The present invention detects, determines, and mitigates signal-path processing errors. An extracted and inverted reference signal is compared to the carrier signal produced by various functional components to determine the error introduced to that signal by functional components. After the signal has been processed by various signal-processing components, the signal can once again be compared to the inverted reference signal so that a signal-path processing bias can be determined. Using that determination, a signal modification can be initiated to substantially reduce or eliminate all signal-path processing error.

Abstract: A heads up display system is provided for an automotive vehicle. The automotive vehicle includes an instrument panel and a windshield. The heads up display providing a first reflective mirror, a second reflective mirror, a first Fresnel lens, a second Fresnel lens, and an image display generator. The first Fresnel lens has a concave shape. The first Fresnel lens is positioned downstream of the first reflection mirror and the second reflection mirror. The second Fresnel lens has a convex shape. The second Fresnel lens is positioned downstream of the first Fresnel lens.

Abstract: A thermal switch includes a substrate having a target region and a peripheral region. A metallization array is coupled to the substrate and is positioned adjacent the target region, the metallization array including a plurality of first temperature dependent thermally conductive metallization segments and a plurality of second temperature dependent thermally conductive metallization segments. The metallization array directs heat flux toward the target region within a first temperature range and directs heat flux away from the target region within a second temperature range.

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: Technologies for making self-erecting structures are described herein. An exemplary self-erecting structure comprises a plurality of shape-memory members that connect two or more hub components. When forces are applied to the self-erecting structure, the shape-memory members can deform, and when the forces are removed the shape-memory members can return to their original pre-deformation shape, allowing the self-erecting structure to return to its own original shape under its own power. A shape of the self-erecting structure depends on a spatial orientation of the hub components, and a relative orientation of the shape-memory members, which in turn depends on an orientation of joining of the shape-memory members with the hub components.

Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus illuminates nested optical cavities by a broadband light source, such as a tunable laser. A composite interference signal is obtained from light reflected from the nested optical cavities, partial interference spectra are recovered from the composite interference signal, cavity depths are measured based on the partial interference spectra, and electrical signals are provided based on the final measured cavity depths.

Abstract: A subsea chemical injection system has a subsea structure, a manifold connected by jumper to the subsea structure, a coiled tubing, a disconnect mechanism affixed to the coiled tubing, and a hose extending from the disconnect mechanism to the manifold such that the chemical flowing through the coil tubing can selectively flow through the disconnect mechanism and through the hose to the subsea structure. The disconnect mechanism is adapted to selectively release from the hose. The disconnect mechanism has a connector affixed thereto. A hydraulic fluid supply is connected to the connector so as to selectively release the connector from the hose. Control lines can extend from a surface location to a control module and the disconnect mechanism for selectively delivering for receiving signals from the subsea structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a valve timing adjustment apparatus for an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an anti-rotation mechanism for inhibiting a position change between a rotor and a housing by inhibiting or preventing relative rotation of the rotor to the housing. The anti-rotation mechanism includes: a plurality of locking grooves formed on the ratchet plate with different depths and connected to each other; and a locking pin member having an outer pin elastically disposed in a fitting hole formed in one of the vanes, and an inner pin elastically disposed inside the outer pin. In particular, the inner pin locks the rotor to the housing when the outer pin and the inner pin are sequentially fitted in the locking grooves by torque from the camshaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a locking structure of a valve timing adjustment apparatus for an internal combustion engine, using torque from a camshaft and the pressure of working fluid. The locking structure includes an anti-rotation mechanism for inhibiting or preventing a position change between a rotor and a housing by preventing relative rotation of the rotor to the housing. The anti-rotation mechanism further includes: a plurality of locking grooves which are formed on the ratchet plate with different depths and connected to each other; and a locking pin member. In particular, the locking pin member has: a hollow outer pin elastically disposed in a fitting hole formed in vanes, an inner pin elastically disposed inside the outer pin, and a lifter ring coupled to the upper portion of the outer pin to slide on the inner side of the fitting hole.

Abstract: An implant for planar connection of tissue to bone is proposed, wherein the implant including a clamping surface and at least three securing members connected to the clamping surface, and wherein the clamping surface comprises an outer edge and an inner edge, wherein the outer edge is connected at least partially to the inner edge at least partially by at least one connecting web, and/or the clamping surface comprises an outer edge and at least one opening arranged within the clamping surface, which opening is connected by at least one connecting web at least to a partial area of the outer edge of the clamping surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for monitoring a plurality of analog-to-digital converters. In one embodiment, a plurality of input channels may each be in communication with a different phase of a three-phase electric power delivery system. The input channels may be configured to receive analog signals from the different phases. A composite signal subsystem may be configured to generate a composite signal based on the plurality of input channels. An analog-to-digital converter subsystem may be configured to produce a digitized representation of each of the plurality of input channels and a digitized representation of the composite signal. An analog-to-digital converter monitor subsystem may identify an error in the analog-to-digital conversion based on the digitized representation of the composite signal and the digitized representations of the plurality of input channels.