Abstract: A spring latching connector includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a piston slidably received in said bore, a circular groove formed in one of said bore and piston and a circular coil spring disposed in said groove for latching said piston and housing together. The groove is sized and shaped for controlling, in combination with a spring configuration, disconnect and connect forces of the spring latching connection.

Abstract: An adsorption-desorption material, in particular, crosslinked organo-amine polymeric materials having a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 1×106, a total pore volume of from about 0.2 cubic centimeters per gram (cc/g) to about 2.0 cc/g, and an adsorption capacity of at least about 0.2 millimoles of CO2 adsorbed per gram of adsorption-desorption material, and linear organo-amine polymeric materials having a weight average molecular weight of from about 160 to about 1×106, a total pore volume of from about 0.2 cubic centimeters per gram (cc/g) to about 2.0 cc/g, and an adsorption capacity of at least about 0.2 millimoles of CO2 adsorbed per gram of adsorption-desorption material. This disclosure also relates in part to processes for preparing the crosslinked organo-amine materials and linear organo-amine materials.

Abstract: A method for imaging a target with an x-ray scatter apparatus. Air scatter from air intervening between the x-ray scatter apparatus and a target overwhelms x-ray scatter from the target in that x-ray scatter from a position on the target is no more than 10% of the x-ray scatter due to intervening air scatter that reaches at least one point in the detector plane of the x-ray scatter apparatus. The target is illuminated with a beam of x-rays scanned across the target, and x-rays scattered by the target are detected using a detector with a centroid displaced with respect to the beam axis by at least five feet. The detector signal is then processed to generate an image of the target. The beam of x-rays may be unshielded, and/or the detector may be uncollimated.

Abstract: An optical device substrate includes metal plates and insulating layers formed between the metal plates. Each insulating layer includes a cured insulating layer formed by curing insulating material and an anodized layer merged with each metal plate, the anodized layer formed by anodizing a first metal and a second metal of each metal plate. The first metal and the second metal include a first anodized layer and a second anodized layer, respectively, and are electrically insulated by interfaces including a first interface formed between the first metal and the first anodized layer, a second interface formed between the first anodized layer and the cured insulating layer, a third interface formed between the cured insulating layer and the second metal and a fourth interface formed between the second anodized layer and the second metal.

Abstract: A low resistance multivalent metal anode is provided. The metal is present in the anode as a Riecke highly active particle. Anode resistivity of 1000 ?·cm2or lower can be obtained. Metals employed include magnesium, calcium, zinc and aluminum. Electrochemical cells containing the low resistance multivalent metal anodes are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor package and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor package includes a substrate, a package body and at least two connecting elements. The substrate has a first surface. The package body is disposed adjacent to the first surface of the substrate, and the package body defines a groove having a substantially flat bottom surface. The connecting elements are disposed adjacent to the first surface of the substrate. A portion of each of the connecting elements is within the package body, and another portion of each of the connecting elements protrudes from the substantially flat bottom surface of the groove.

Abstract: A catalyst for methanation of carbon dioxide, a method of preparing the catalyst, and a method of hydrogenating carbon dioxide in the presence of the catalyst in a fixed bed reactor are disclosed. The catalyst is formed by mixing ash from a biomass power plant with a nickel compound and calcining the resulting mixture. The catalyst formed by calcination includes between 2 and 20 wt. % of nickel supported on ash from combusting biomass.

Abstract: A corner assembly for a tonneau cover system of a pick-up truck is provided and has a corner member, a lid member and a lengthened cushion member. A connection surface of the corner member is formed with a stepped recess, and the lid member is embedded in the stepped recess to cover ribs and cavities in the stepped recess. The lengthened cushion member is L-shaped and attached to the connection surface of the corner member, the lid member and two surfaces of two adjacent frame members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a set of vehicle inspections including, but not limited to, wheel alignment measurement, brake testing, tire tread depth measurement, tire pressure monitoring, vehicle battery testing, and a review of vehicle diagnostic trouble codes in an efficient manner using a multi-function vehicle service system and a single vehicle service bay or inspection lane. Results of the vehicle inspections are incorporated into customized reports generated for a customer or for a technician, and which may be utilized to obtain approval from the customer to conduct necessary repairs and/or provide beneficial vehicle services.

Abstract: A negative cutting insert having a cutting edge comprising four long-side cutting edge portions for rough cutting and four short-side cutting edge portions for finish cutting, which are connected alternately, thereby being able to conduct rough cutting when attached to a rough-cutting tool body, and finish cutting when attached to a finish-cutting tool body. When such cutting inserts are used for rough or finish cutting and then reattached to a finish-cutting tool body or a rough-cutting tool body, finish or rough cutting can be conducted, thereby using all cutting edges thoroughly.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing circuit is disclosed, wherein the transimpedance amplifier in front of the mixer in prior art is removed respectively replaced by an amplifier with low gain and consequently high dynamic range. The mixer DC offset voltage or current together with the large amplification factor required after the mixer now would result in an inacceptable DC offset at the output of the signal chain. In order to eliminate the effect of the mixer offset, the amplifying stages after the mixer are AC coupled to the mixer output and one of the signals entering the mixer is phase modulated or amplitude modulated with a known low frequency signal. An additional mixer after the AC coupled amplifying stages is driven with the same low frequency modulating signal, resulting in the wanted DC output signal responsive to the capacitance to be measured.

Abstract: A method for determining and/or engineering photosynthetic mutant algal strains comprising: (A) pre-screening wild-type or parent strains to select for photosynthetic efficiency; (B) cause genetic mutations in the group of wild-type and/or parent strains from pre-screening (A) to form genetic mutant strains; (C) screening the genetic mutant strains for photosynthetic efficiency in mass cultures; and (D) further screening the genetic mutants resulting from screening (C) by measuring biomass productivity to select strains having relatively high biomass/lipid/starch productivity.

Abstract: A calibration fixture for use during a calibration procedure of a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system. The calibration fixture consists of a pair of support legs, and a rotating transverse bar supported within an outer support tube secured between the support legs. The rotating transverse bar is supported within the outer support tube by a pair of annular bearings adjacent each end of the outer support tube, and is isolated from external influences which may result in deflection or distortion. A hub for receiving a sensor or optical target is secured to each end of the rotating transverse bar, such that optical targets mounted to each hub are maintained in axial alignment at opposite ends of the rotating transverse bar.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus with a primary seal assembly, back up seal assembly and pressure compensation device. The pressure compensation device comprises a membrane support and a longitudinally extending membrane system. The membrane support has a longitudinally extending bore therethrough for receiving a driveshaft of the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus. The longitudinally extending membrane system comprising a longitudinally extending outer membrane sleeve and a longitudinally extending inner membrane sleeve with the inner membrane sleeve positioned inside the outer membrane sleeve. The membrane system is sealed to the membrane support to allow flexing of the membrane system in response to fluid pressure on either an inner longitudinal surface of the membrane system or an outer longitudinal surface of the membrane system and to prevent fluid on the inner longitudinal surface mixing with fluid on the outer longitudinal surface.

Abstract: An optical system includes a lens and reflector configured to form a wide angle beam from light emitted from an array of LEDs by modifying only the component of emitted light that diverges from a reference plane. A central portion of the lens collimates emitted LED light relative to the reference plane containing the optical axes of the LEDs. A peripheral portion of the lens re-directs emitted LED light into an orientation perpendicular to the reference plane. The reflector surrounds the periphery of the lens and re-directs light from the peripheral portion of the lens into a direction parallel with the reference plane. The linear array of LEDs may include sub arrays projecting away from a support plane to enhance visibility of a resulting light signal from vantage points close to or aligned with the support plane.

Abstract: A fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus including a pulser assembly and a fluid pressure pulse generator and methods of using the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus. The pulser assembly comprises a motor, a sensor for detecting rotation of the motor, a driveshaft rotationally coupled to the motor, and processing and motor control equipment communicative with the motor and the sensor. The fluid pressure pulse generator is coupled with the driveshaft. The sensor provides an indication of the amount of rotation of the motor and this information can be processed by the processing and motor control equipment to determine the position of the driveshaft and to control rotation of the driveshaft based on a predetermined rotational relationship between the driveshaft and the motor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a visual-assist robot includes a housing defining a base portion, an imaging assembly, a motorized wheel assembly positioned at the lower surface of the base portion, a processor disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the imaging assembly and the motorized wheel assembly, and a non-transitory memory device disposed within the housing. The imaging assembly generates image data corresponding to an environment, and at least a portion of the imaging assembly is configured to be disposed above the upper surface of the base portion. The non-transitory memory device stores machine-readable instructions that cause the processor to provide a drive signal to the motorized wheel assembly such that the motorized wheel assembly moves the visual-assist robot to a desired location within the environment, determine objects from the image data received from the imaging assembly, and transmit message data for receipt by a user.

Abstract: Exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating the substrate with exposure light via a projection optical system and a liquid. The exposure apparatus is provided with a liquid immersion mechanism for supplying the liquid and recovering the liquid. The liquid immersion mechanism has an inclined surface, which is opposite to a surface of the substrate and is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, and a liquid recovering port of the liquid immersion mechanism is formed in the inclined surface. A flat portion is provided between the substrate and the projection optical system. A liquid immersion area can be maintained to be small.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit for driving a power switch. The circuit includes a first circuit configured to provide a charging current to charge a control terminal of the power switch, a second circuit configured to provide a discharging current to discharge the control terminal of the power switch, and a control circuit configured to provide control signals to the first circuit and the second circuit to activate/deactivate the first circuit and the second circuit. At least one of the charging current and the discharging current ramps from a first level to a second level at a rate.

Abstract: A notification system and method for registration of a new key. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) adapted to receive and store information regarding the registration of a new key, a processor in communication with the ECU, the processor adapted to determine if a notification should be provided to the user regarding the registration of a new key, the ECU adapted to control where the notification is displayed and a display screen in communication with the ECU, the display screen adapted to display a notification to the user that the new key has been registered.