Abstract: A head covering air filtering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the rigid component and the fabric component combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck. The device further comprises an intake filter to filter all intake air entering the device, an exhaust filter to filter all exhaust air exiting the device, and an air mover causing intake air to enter the device and exhaust air to exit the device.

Abstract: A personal air filtering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port from outside the device and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and a controller configured to adjust the rate at which the air mover moves air.

Abstract: A rotary transducer is described. The rotary transducer includes a Hall effect sensor, a rotary dial comprising at least two recessed pockets, a first magnet that is positioned within one of the at least two recessed pockets, and a second magnet that is positioned within another one of the at least two recessed pockets. In an acceleration only mode, the rotary dial is rotatable from a center position in a first direction and is not rotatable from the center position in a second direction. This mode is selected when a mode selection screw is inserted into a mode selection orifice. In a bi-directional acceleration/deceleration mode, the rotary dial is rotatable from the center position in the first direction and is rotatable from the center position in the second direction. This mode is selected when the mode selection screw is not inserted into the mode selection orifice.

Abstract: The invention is an an anchor for attaching an automated window mechanism to a sliding panel of a window. The sliding panel has a border with an outer face generally perpendicular to the window. The anchor includes a base configured to be secured to the outer face. The base and mechanism mount has a first tongue-and-groove component protruding from the base away from the outer face. The anchor also includes a mechanism mount configured to be secured to the automated window mechanism, the mechanism mount having a second tongue-and-groove component protruding therefrom. The first tongue-and-groove component and the second tongue-and-groove components are shaped and aligned to permit the mechanism mount to slide relative to the base in a direction generally perpendicular to the window, and to thereafter hold the mechanism in proper alignment relative to the sliding panel of the window.

Abstract: A vehicle for delivering packages, comprising a tractor comprising a motor, a pair of front wheels, a rear wheel, and a rail between the pair of front wheels and the rear wheel, and a removable container comprising a space for storing packages where a bottom of the container is configured to fit over and mount to the rail.

Abstract: A line tensioner is disclosed. A winch has a winch drum with at least one groove over which a line is passed. The winch has a line tensioner assembly with a stationary cam surface and a plurality of line tensioners rotating with the winch drum. Each has a line gripping portion and a cam follower. The line gripping portion is brought into and out of contact with the line as the cam follower rides along at least a portion of the cam surface.

Abstract: A label and methods and devices for detecting an environmental factor that exceeds a threshold are described. The label includes a plurality of codable areas. The first portion of the plurality of codable areas are coded according to a first value and the second portion of the plurality of codable areas are coded according to a second value. The label additionally includes an environmentally triggered bubble positioned in one of the plurality of codable areas. The environmentally triggered bubble changes between the first value and the second value when ruptured. As a result, the code that the label represents changes when the environmentally triggered bubble ruptures.

Abstract: A system for delivering packages from a warehouse to end destinations, the system comprising a fleet of self-propelled long-range transports and a fleet of containers, each configured to be loaded at the warehouse with packages destined for end destinations. Each long-range transport is configured to be loaded with at least four of the loaded containers and transport the at least four of the loaded containers from the warehouse to one or more intermediate destinations. Upon arrival of one of the loaded long-range transports at one of the one or more intermediate destinations, at least one of the loaded containers is separated from the loaded long-range transport, whereupon the separated container delivers packages to end destinations proximate to the one of the one or more intermediate destinations. After delivery of at least some of the packages loaded thereon at the warehouse, the container is once again loaded on the long-range transport and returned to the warehouse to be loaded with more packages.

Abstract: A winch drum is disclosed. In a first aspect, a first set of teeth are positioned around an outer perimeter of a drum. The first set of teeth taper from a first crown to a first base. A second set of teeth are positioned around the outer perimeter of the drum. The second set of teeth taper from a second crown to a second base. The second set of teeth are offset from the first set of teeth such that a gap between the first bases and the second bases forms a sinusoidal channel for a line to follow the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth becomes a guide for the line so that the line can engage the sinusoidal channel. The line follows the sinusoidal channel and each change of direction along the sinusoidal path causes the line to engage by friction with the first bases and the second bases. In a second aspect, the drum includes a trough that follows a sinusoidal path and wherein the trough is narrower at its bottom than at its top.

Abstract: There is described a system for producing electrical energy and utilizing associated heat. The system includes a source of fuel, a source of oxygen and a solid oxide fuel cell configured to oxidize the fuel to create electrical energy and heat. The system also includes at least one unit configured to utilize heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell. This at least one unit is selected from the group consisting of: a solid waste pyrolysis unit; a hydrothermal carbonization unit; a water distillation unit; a water pasteurization unit; a water heating unit; a room heating and cooling unit; and a biomass drying unit. In a second aspect, the invention is a system for providing utilities used in a multi-residence complex.

Abstract: There is described a shower system that includes a showerhead fixture and a base connected by conduits. The showerhead fixture includes an inlet for receiving pressurized water. A diverter is configured to divert at least a portion of the pressurized water to the base. The showerhead fixture also includes a second inlet fluidly connected to a recirculating showerhead portion with a plurality of showerhead jets for expelling mixed water received from the base. The base is configured to create a reservoir of water on a shower floor and includes a venturi pump capable of using pressurized water from the showerhead fixture to draw in water from the reservoir into the stream of pressurized water. The mixed water is sent from the base to the jets in the showerhead fixture to thereby increase the volume of water expelled from the showerhead.

Abstract: A device to control rotation is disclosed. The device includes a stationary portion having an internal aperture with a frustoconical inner surface. The device also includes a movable portion having a frustoconical outer surface, adapted to engage the frustoconical inner surface, to stop rotation between the movable portion and the stationary portion when engaged. An input sleeve is included, configured to transmit an applied rotational force to the device, also configured so that, as the input sleeve moves in a first axial direction, the moveable portion engages the stationary portion, and as the input sleeve moves in a second and opposite axial direction, the moveable portion is pushed out of engagement with the stationary portion.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating an item within an enclosure is described. The method includes affixing a first-tier label to a fixture within the enclosure, identifying a first location of the first-tier label based on at least three distance measurements between the first-tier label and a respective plane of the three orthogonal planar surfaces, identifying a second-tier label in proximity to the first-tier label, wherein the second-tier label is associated with an item, determining a first relative position of the second-tier label with respect to the first location of the first-tier label, and determining a second location of the second-tier label based on the first relative position with respect to the first location and the first location.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing an overhead door includes a drive loop coupled to the overhead door, a motor with a drive shaft and a drive wheel for driving the drive loop. A one-way bearing couples the drive shaft to the drive wheel, which one-way bearing is configured to transmit torque from the motor to the drive wheel, as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a first rotational direction to raise the overhead door, and configured so that torque is not transmitted to the drive wheel as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. As a result, the motor applies torque through the one-way bearing to raise the overhead door and to support the weight of the overhead door while lowering the overhead door.

Abstract: A trailer is disclosed which includes a first door with a first hinge configured to allow the first door to operate between an open position and a closed position, and a second door on the opposing side of the trailer with a second hinge configured to allow the second door to operate between an open position and a closed position. The trailer also includes a roof and a trailer tongue with a coupling configured to attach to a hitch of a vehicle. Two or more wheels are provided that are extendable from an up position to a down position. In this way, when the wheels are in the down position, the trailer is lifted off the ground.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for automatically opening and closing a pair of curtains that includes a rod with a longitudinal hollow space. The device also includes a first and second threaded shaft housed within the hollow space. First and second gears are attached to the first and second threaded shaft, respectively. The first and second gear intermesh, so that, when the first threaded shaft rotates in a first angular direction, the second threaded shaft rotates in an opposite second angular direction. The device also includes first and second threaded nuts, threaded onto the first and second threaded shafts. A motor is provided to rotate the first threaded shaft in the first angular direction and simultaneously rotate the second the shaft in the opposite second angular direction.

Abstract: The invention is a retrofit device for converting a standard switch to a smart switch. The retrofit device taps into an existing switch electrical terminal via one or more sliding arms with electrical contacts. The electrical contacts interface with the terminals, thus providing a control circuit to intervene or interrupt the existing switch function and allow a control system to control the electrical circuit the existing switch serves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a winch. The winch includes a motor. A driveshaft that is coupled to the motor, and the motor rotates the driveshaft. End plates at opposite ends of the driveshaft are configured to support the driveshaft between the end plates, and to allow rotation of the driveshaft. A spool is fixed to the driveshaft such that the motor rotates the spool by rotating the driveshaft. A line is attached to the spool and rotation of the driveshaft causes the spool to wind the line onto the spool or unwind the line from the spool. At least one support member is coupled between the end plates. The at least one support member is generally parallel with and spaced apart from the rail, and the support member is fixed to the end plates such that the support member keeps the end plates and drive shaft in alignment.

Abstract: A system for growing plants is described which includes a first platform, configured to support a first set of plants thereon. The system also includes a second platform, spaced above the first platform a sufficient distance to allow for full growth of the plants thereunder, and configured to support a second set of plants thereon. A first movable frame is suspended above the first platform and below the second platform. The first movable frame has a first array of grow lights mounted thereon. A second movable frame is suspended above the second platform and has a second array of grow lights mounted thereon. The system also includes a lift system configured to raise and lower the movable frames so as to maintain each array of grow lights within a predetermined distance above each set of plants as it grows.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system suspended above a platform for growing plants and raisable as the plants grow taller. The system includes a movable frame with an air mover system and grow lights mounted to the movable frame. The system also includes a hoist that suspends the movable frame over the plants and is configured to raise and lower it relative to the plants by winding a line onto and off of the hoist. Also, a power cable is carried by the hoist and coupled to the air mover system and to the grow lights to provide electrical power to at least one of the air mover system and the grow lights. The power cable is windable onto and off of the hoist. The system may also include water misters mounted to the movable frame.