Abstract: A valve cap assembly for being attached to an air valve and removably covering an end of the air valve includes a hoop, a cap, and an arched tether connecting the hoop and the cap. The hoop attaches the valve cap assembly to the air valve. The cap removably covers the end of the air valve to protect the end of the air valve. Both the hoop and the cap form a dependable interference fit between the hoop or cap and the valve stem to retain the hoop on the valve stem and to retain the cap covering the end of the air valve on the air valve. The cap includes one or more longitudinal protrusions that form the interference fit.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for automatically applying, without the intervention of an operator, rubber elements on a die-cutter during the manufacturing step thereof, are described. The apparatus comprises a manipulator, preferably a robotic arm, and a needle gripper. The gripper withdraws the water jet pre-cut rubber elements from a sheet with double-sided adhesive tape, and places them one by one at the point provided for by the working program.

Abstract: A device and method for adjusting a tilt angle of a tilt mechanism of an internal assembly of a lighting fixture is disclosed. The tilt mechanism comprises an inner base and an outer base. The inner base facilitates installation of a light engine for installation and operably engages with the outer base to vary a tilt angle of the lighting fixture, which can be adjusted by a tilt mechanism thumb actuator.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices may enable management of a renewable power asset. A control device may generate a Day-Ahead (DA) pricing model, a Real-Time (RT) pricing model and a renewable generation model for the renewable power asset. Optimal DA commitments may be determined, and an optimal RT schedule estimated. A DA power delivery strategy and an RT power delivery strategy may be determined. The determined DA and RT power delivery strategies may be evaluated based on obtained real power prices. The DA and RT power delivery strategies may be redetermined, and the renewable power asset may be controlled to deliver power the DA and RT power delivery strategies. The value of the renewable power asset may be maximized while bounding financial risks and returns associated with scheduling the renewable power asset as tailored to risk preferences of the renewable power asset owner or operator.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a refuelable battery for the power grid to provide a sustainable, cost-effective, and/or operationally efficient solution to energy source variability and/or energy demand variability. In particular, the systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a refuelable primary battery solution that addresses bulk seasonal energy storage needs, variable demand needs, and other challenges.

Abstract: A device and method for adjusting a tilt angle of a tilt mechanism of an internal assembly of a lighting fixture is disclosed. The tilt mechanism comprises an inner base and an outer base. The inner base facilitates installation of a light engine for installation and operably engages with the outer base to vary a tilt angle of the lighting fixture, which can be adjusted by a tilt mechanism thumb actuator.

Abstract: A system and method provide a material with uniform micro-structure. In an embodiment, an equal channel angular extrusion system includes an interior mandrel. The interior mandrel includes an expanding shear material section and a contracting shear material section. In addition, the system includes a material. The material is disposed about a portion of the interior mandrel. Moreover, the system includes a pressure application device. The pressure application device applies pressure to the material to force the material to contact the expanding shear material section to provide an expanded post-shear material section. Pressure from the pressure application device applies pressure to the material to force the expanded post-shear material section to contact the contracting shear material section to provide a contracted shear material section.

Abstract: A method is provided for growing a fiber structure, where the method includes: obtaining a substrate, growing an array of pedestal fibers on the substrate, growing fibers on the pedestal fibers, and depositing a coating surrounding each of the fibers. In another aspect, a method of fabricating a fiber structure includes obtaining a substrate and growing a plurality of fibers on the substrate according to 1½D printing. In another aspect, a multilayer functional fiber is provided produced by, for instance, the above-noted methods.

Abstract: A protective padding section includes an upper layer, an opposing lower layer and a repeating array of cushioning regions disposed between, and continuously bonded to, the upper layer and the lower layer. Each cushioning region has a same first cushion thickness. A repeating array of apertures is disposed between the cushioning regions and each aperture extends through the padding section. The padding section has a first thickness and a first width and upon application of a force, the padding section expands in width from the first width to a second width greater than the first width and when the application of force is removed, the width of the padding section contracts to the first width.

Abstract: A device for clamping a piece of formwork includes a bar having an end for attachment to a body. The device includes a jaw mounted on the bar and for receiving the piece of formwork, the jaw being movable along the bar.

Abstract: A system and method for automating construction that includes collecting a multi-dimensional point cloud measurement of at least one construction structure that includes at least one surface; generating a construction plan from the multi-dimensional point cloud measurement, wherein the construction plan defines an assembly arrangement of a set of parts; from the construction plan, automatically generating a cut list for a subset of parts; communicating the cut list to a cutting device; and at the cutting device, cutting a set of materials according to the cut list.

Abstract: A fuel electrode incorporates a first and second corrugated portion that are attached to each other at offset angles respect to their corrugation axis and therefore reinforce each other. A first corrugated portion may extend orthogonally with respect to a second corrugated portion. The first and second corrugated portions may be formed from metal wire and may therefore have a very high volumetric void fraction and a high surface area to volume ratio (sa/vol). In addition, the strands of the wire may be selected to enable high conductivity to the current collectors while maximizing the sa/vol. In addition, the shape of the corrugation, including the period distance, amplitude and geometry may be selected with respect to the stiffness requirements and electrochemical cell application factors. The first and second corrugated portions may be calendared or crushed to reduce thickness of the fuel electrode.

Abstract: A method of forming a high purity ingot for wafer production, such as a silicon carbidewafer. Precursors are added to a reactor; at least part of a fiber is formed in the reactor from the precursors using chemical deposition interacting with the precursors; and granular material is then formed from the fiber. The method further includes forming the ingot from the granular material. In one aspect, the chemical deposition can include laser induced chemical vapor deposition. Further, the method can include separating one or more wafers from the ingot for use in semiconductor fabrication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a self-capacitance device that is configured to be detectable by a known touchscreen without the need for human contact. Such a device has a device body, a capacitance structure disposed within the body, and at least three contacts disposed on one side of the body and electrically coupled to the capacitance structure. Further disclosed herein are systems having at least two such self-capacitance devices and a software application configured to recognize each of the at least two self-capacitance devices.

Abstract: Physical and/or financial instruments may optimally hedge the cash flow of one or more renewable energy generators based on a desired risk and return profile of renewable infrastructure investors. Baseline revenues may be determined based on forward-looking electricity market price scenarios corresponding to qualified market products intended for sale from the renewable energy generators. Risk and return metrics of cash flows of the renewable energy generators may be determined. At least one physical hedge and/or financial hedge may be added. The size and operation of the renewable energy generators along with any physical hedges, or financial hedges, or both physical and financial hedges, may be optimized across multiple market price scenarios of qualified market products to optimize investor-tailored risk and return utility functions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a concrete formwork suitable for use in shuttering formwork. The formwork comprises a base and a plurality of clamping brackets. The clamping brackets further comprise clamping members that are engageable with the clamping brackets to define clamping portion that are aligned with openings on the base. The base is pivotally connected to a shuttering contact member which is supported by two braces. Also disclosed herein is a method of constructing the disclosed formwork.

Abstract: An example curtain system can include: a curtain forming a flexible body with an opening at each corner of the body; a tensioning device at each corner of the body of the curtain to couple the curtain to a backside of a rack, wherein each tensioning device includes a hook member with a first end sized to engage an opening in the rack and a threaded second end; and a nut configured to be threaded onto the threaded second end of the hook member to tension the curtain relative to the rack.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to construction of subsurface structural elements that are configured to redirect soil forces. For instance, a form may be used to construct a subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace a foundation rather than have the soil forces crack or otherwise damage the foundation.