Abstract: An example speaker for providing alerts includes: a housing and a cover forming an integrated unit; a microphone configured to sense an ambient noise level; and a processor configured to adjust a volume of the speaker based upon the ambient noise level. A hinge can be positioned between the housing and the cover to allow the cover to be pivoted relative to the housing from a close position to an open position.

Abstract: A street sweeper configured to clean a street can include: at least one broom or sprayer configured to clean a street, a street surface deviation detection device coupled to the street sweeper, the street surface deviation detection device being configured to detect visual signatures of defects in a surface of the street; and a position device to measure the position of the street sweeper, wherein the position device is programmed to send the position to a central server.

Abstract: A boom hose apparatus for a material collection vehicle includes a telescoping boom assembly and a hose assembly supported by the boom assembly. The boom assembly includes a plurality of telescoping conduits. A flexible hose is received through the telescoping conduits and can slidably extend from, or retract into, the conduits independently from the telescoping of the conduits.

Abstract: Lighting systems, devices, and units that provide illumination according to a detected orientation relative to a reference plane or a reference vector. In some examples, a light bar for use on a vehicle includes first and second sets of light emitters that are selectively activated and inactive based on a detected orientation of the light bar relative to a reference plane or reference vector.

Abstract: A safety system can include: at least one wearable device configured to communicate with a central hub of a facility; and the central hub programmed to determine a location of the at least one wearable device within the facility, and to provide emergency instructions to the at least one wearable device based upon the location.

Abstract: A self-rotating tube cleaning nozzle assembly is disclosed that includes at least one debris exclusion feature. The nozzle assembly includes a main body defining an internal fluid passageway, a nozzle mounted to the main body, and a sleeve rotatably disposed about the main body. In one aspect, the sleeve having at least one discharge port in fluid communication with the main body internal fluid passageway for discharging a spray and rotating the sleeve about the main body. The debris exclusion feature is defined between the main body and the sleeve and includes a stepped portion on an exterior surface of the main body that faces and overlaps with a complementarily shaped stepped portion on an interior surface of the sleeve. The debris exclusion feature forms a tortuous pathway that eliminates or reduces contaminant ingress.

Abstract: A body camera can include: a camera configured to capture images; and a sensor module programmed to: sense a strength of a field within an emergency vehicle; activate the camera when the strength of the field falls below a certain threshold; and deactivate the camera when the strength of the field exceeds the threshold. The body camera can include a receiver configured to wirelessly receive power from an energy source within the emergency vehicle. An autonomous vehicle can also be carried by the emergency vehicle, with the autonomous vehicle being configured to be automatically activated and/or charged.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided with a piston head retaining structure. The piston assembly includes a piston shaft and a piston head disposed around the piston shaft and providing a piston head face that faces a cylinder wall. The piston assembly further includes a piston head mount element arranged adjacent to the piston head and mounted around the piston shaft and a tensioning device that generates an axial tension between the piston shaft and the piston head.

Abstract: A waterblasting system includes a fluid supply device, an air supply device, and a waterblasting tool. The air supply device contains a battery and an alternator in a single unit. The alternator is operated by compressed air from a separate air compressor and generates electric power, at least some of which is used to charge the battery.

Abstract: A dumping vehicle includes a vehicle elevation system for elevating a body of a vehicle. The system can use one or more components of a vehicle as a main support against which a vehicle body is elevated. In certain examples, a suspension device of the vehicle can be used as the main support. The system further includes an elevation device arranged between the suspension device and a vehicle frame and configured to elevate the vehicle body by lifting the vehicle frame against the suspension device.

Abstract: A voice control system for a police vehicle, including: a single azimuthally-sensitive directional microphone configured to receive an audio command for controlling an aspect of the police vehicle and identify a direction of origin of the audio command; and a controller including a processor and tangible memory encoding instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to: identify a command associated with the audio command received by the single azimuthally-sensitive directional microphone; and when the direction of origin allows for the command, initiate the command to control the aspect of the police vehicle.

Abstract: A sewer cleaning vehicle includes a monitoring device for detecting a water level in a plurality of water tanks using a sensor engaged with the water tanks. The vehicle can present to an operator the water level together with operational conditions of the vehicle. The vehicle can continuously fill the water tanks based on the water level, and inform the operator of the water tanks having a water level lower than a user-configurable threshold.

Abstract: A piston shifting control system is provided to control a displacement pump to maximize a stroke length of a piston and prevent damages to the entire pump system. The displacement pump may include a linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT) inserted through one end of a cylinder body and used to detect a position of the piston within the cylinder. The shifting control system is configured to monitor a position of the piston assembly in the displacement pump and adjust a shifting trigger point of the piston assembly in each stroke to maximize the stroke length.

Abstract: An example hazardous detection call point station can include: a common rear housing; a front housing, wherein the common rear housing and the front housing are configured to be coupled to form a housing defining an interior; and an actuator cylinder positioned at least partially within the interior; wherein, upon breaking a glass front or depressing a button of the station, the actuator cylinder is biased to rotate to complete a circuit and thereby send an alarm notification to a main panel at a remote location.

Abstract: A system can include: a street sweeper configured to clean a street, the street sweeper including: a meter module to detect a consumption of water by the street sweeper, wherein the meter module is programmed to quantify an amount of water used by the street sweeper and to send the amount of water to a central server; and a street surface deviation detection device coupled to the street sweeper, the street surface deviation detection device being configured to measure changes in a surface of the street and send the changes to the central server; and the central server programmed to receive the amount of water.

Abstract: An improved manifold and valve cartridges suitable for high power (over 600 hp) reciprocating pumps for water blast or jet applications are disclosed. In one aspect, the disclosed valve cartridges are compact and mounted axially along a seat member that has a central bore in addition to suction and discharge seats. The seat member can also be provided a plurality of radially arranged bores for allowing suction flow to the pump. A spool valve assembly can be mounted through the seat member bore, and can include a valve spool, a spherical suction valve member, a compression spring, and compression-locked rings. The spool valve can include a closed flanged end that engages with the seat member discharge seat. In operation, the compression spring continuously pushes the spool valve closed flanged end against the discharge seat and pushes the suction valve member against the suction seat to retain a normally closed position.

Abstract: Highly efficient particulate collectors, such as for dust and street debris collected by a mobile street cleaning vehicle, with very low pressure loss are disclosed. One embodiment uses a specially contoured passage to separate the solid particles from particulate-laden gas stream by rapid directional change at a throat region. By using the Venturi effect at the accelerating zone communicating with a gas return channel from the particulate retaining chamber, a small amount of the gas will be recirculated from the deposit zone to help move and retain the separated particles in a confined collection receptacle.

Abstract: A hose reel arrangement for sewer jetting includes a reel; a hose wound around the reel; a reel frame holding the reel; and a cover arrangement. The reel frame with the reel is rotatable about a frame axis perpendicular to a horizontal mounting surface. The cover arrangement is over a majority of the reel and reel frame. The cover arrangement is selectively movable to expose a portion of the reel to provide access to the hose. The cover arrangement is fixed in position relative to the rotatable reel frame and reel.

Abstract: An example beacon can include: a dome having an interior space; a prism positioned within the interior space, the prism having a first refraction portion and a second refraction portion, the first refraction portion extending for a first semicircle and the second refraction portion extending for a second semicircle; and a printed circuit board assembly supporting at least one light emitting diode, the printed circuit board assembly being positioned within the interior space of the dome. Light from the at least one light emitting diode is directed by the first refraction portion and the second refraction portion towards an obtuse angle relative to a position of the at least one light emitting diode.

Abstract: A communication system providing volume attenuation as a function of distance from the communication source to simulate natural communication.