Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a flush mechanism for cleaning the bowl after use; at least one analytical test device wherein a sample of excreta is analyzed; a manifold comprising conduits and valves for distributing one or more fluids to and from the at least one receptacle; and a digital control device controlling the valves to distribute the sample to the analytical test device for analysis; and distribute fluid to remove the sample from the analytical test device after analysis and to clean the analytical test device is disclosed.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a frame supporting a bowl for receiving excreta; a floating seat for a user to sit above the bowl; one or more seat load cells for measuring weight on the seat; and a floating hinge connecting the floating seat to the frame is disclosed. The floating hinge may comprise a pivot bar rotatably connected to both the toilet seat and the toilet body.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism has a motor that moves a sliding window along a frame to open and close the window. A position sensor, such as an encoder, monitors a position of the sliding window relative to the frame. The automated window mechanism can receive an instruction to calibrate to the frame by disengaging the motor while the position sensor remains engaged. The user then manually moves the sliding window between two end points and then reengages the motor. The position sensor records the end points, and then the automated window mechanism uses the end points as limits of movement for the sliding window.

Abstract: A weight distribution system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the weight distribution system comprising a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, the moment bar extending rearwardly along a center longitudinal plane of the trailer toward a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; a bracket attached to a trailer frame element, wherein the bracket is above the first rearward portion and further from the center longitudinal plane of the trailer than the rearward portion; and a tension member combined with a tension mechanism so as to increase and decrease a tensile force between the bracket and the rearward portion, to thereby increase and decrease the upward force on the rearward portion whereby sway of the trailer is reduced by biasing the system back to the centerline when the vehicle and trailer are out of alignment is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for moving an object is disclosed. The device has a drive cylinder with drive grooves and a set of idler pulleys. The idler pulleys are on a shaft that is parallel to the drive cylinder. Each of the idler pulleys rotate at an angle around the drive shaft that aligns the grooves of the idler pulleys to neighboring drive grooves. This allows the line to pass onto the drive groove, around an idler pulley, and onto a next adjacent drive groove. The line therefore winds back and forth between the drive grooves, the idler pulleys, and back to the next drive groove. One end of the line is placed under tension and the other is attached to an object or to a fixed member. The drive cylinder is driven and the line is moved through the device, or the device is moved along the line, respectively.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism having a motor and a force measuring component. A movement path is defined for the window movement relative to a window frame. The force-measuring component measures the force required to move the window along the movement path. The force required is stored as a force map and is a function of position along the path. Deviations from the force map cause the motor to take measures which may include stopping the motor.

Abstract: A shaft-mounted overhead door operator is disclosed having a motor, a torque transfer component such as a gear train, and a clutch that is axially movable to engage or disengage the clutch. While the door operator has power, the clutch is engaged to ensure door operator can raise, lower, and stop the overhead door as directed from a remote control. The clutch can be released in the event of a loss of power or by direction from the remote control in which case the clutch releases the shaft of the overhead door. The shaft-mounted overhead door is small, having a width no greater than three times the diameter of the shaft to which it is mounted.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed having a motor, a spool rotated by the motor, and a line carried by the spool. Rotating the spool in a first, or winding direction causes the line to wind around the spool, and rotating the spool in a second, or unwinding direction causes the line to unwind from the spool. The winch also includes a tensioning device spaced apart from the spool, which tensioning device comprises a tensioning wheel that engages the line and is configured to apply tension to the line as it is being unwound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a winch with a spool having an axis of rotation and a helical groove formed thereon and a line around the spool in the helical groove. The winch also includes a motor configured to rotate the spool in a first direction to wind the line on the spool and a second direction to unwind the line from the spool. The helical groove includes a line cradle shaped to carry the line with a portion of the line protruding from the helical groove, and a channel extending below the line cradle. A portion of the channel is not occupied by the line. The winch also includes a line guide adjacent to the spool and configured to move axially along the spool. The line guide includes a tab that engages the channel to cause the line guide to move axially along the spool to wind or unwind the line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for manipulating an object and providing at least one utility winch. The system includes a motor and a driveshaft having an axis and being coupled to the motor. The system includes a first spool on the driveshaft being rotatable with the driveshaft by the motor and a first line for lifting an object, the first line attached to the first spool. The system also includes a second spool on the driveshaft being rotatable with the driveshaft by the motor, and a second line attached to the second spool, the second line configured to deliver at least one utility selected from electric power, data, and fluid.

Abstract: A winch is described that includes a motor and a driveshaft coupled to the motor for rotation about its axis. A first and second spool are mounted to the drive shaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the first and second spool. A first line is attached to the first spool and a second line is attached to the second spool. First and second line guides are configured to wind the lines in a helical path on the respective spools when the driveshaft is rotated in one direction and to unwind the lines from the helical path when the driveshaft is rotated in an opposite direction. Each line guide is further configured to translate axially along the first spool to facilitate winding and unwinding along the respective helical path.

Abstract: A load-leveling hanging apparatus and a system for suspended lifting of objects are disclosed. The load-leveling hanging apparatus includes a carriage suspended from a line; a hanging beam adapted for attachment of multiple objects at points along the beam; a mechanism for moving the hanging beam relative to the carriage to thereby achieve a level condition; and a level indicator. The mechanism is a rotatable screw. The system includes the load-leveling hanging apparatus and a lifting device. The lifting device includes a drum for winding and unwinding a line; a motor coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto; a guide to direct the line onto the drum; and a controller. The lifting device raises and lowers the suspended hanging apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for token secured routing and discovery in token secured routing are disclosed. An inbound routing table is maintained. A communication link is established with a second node via a first port. A discovery packet is sent to the second node via the first port. A token is generated for communication with the second node. A first inbound routing entry is added to the inbound routing table, wherein the first inbound routing entry maps the first token state to the second node.

Abstract: A storage system is described, having a rectangular platform adapted to be raised and lowered. The platform includes a top surface configured to support one or more items to be stored, a bottom surface, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The system also includes a first bracket, with an upper portion attached to the first side of the platform and a lower portion extending below the bottom surface. The lower portion of this first bracket is shaped in such a way as to provide a first surface on which a portion of an additional item rests. The system also includes a second bracket, likewise with an upper portion attached to the second side of the platform and a lower portion extending below the bottom surface. The lower portion of the second bracket is also shaped in such a way as to provide a second surface on which a portion of the additional item rests. In this way, the first and second brackets cooperate to support the additional item below the platform.

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: A weight distribution hitch system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the system comprising a jack with a foot and a motor configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member configured to increase the upward force on the rearward portion of the moment bar upon movement of the jack in one vertical direction and to decrease the upward force upon movement of the jack in an opposite vertical direction; a sensor configured to determine at least one of current and voltage across the motor, to thereby infer the upward force on the rearward portion; and a switch configured to turn the motor on or off depending on the inferred upward force is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a kit for attaching to a truck cap to enable the cap to be lifted off of and lowered onto a truck by lines from above. The kit includes: a first rail and a second rail, each configured to attach to the truck cap; a first pair of sliding masts for releasably attaching to the first rail and a second pair of sliding masts for releasably attaching to the second rail. Each of the sliding mast includes: a sled which is captured by the rail, and is slidable along the rail, and is adapted to be secured at various points along the rail; and a brace with one end attached to the sled and the other end adapted to receive one of the lines. In another aspect, the kit includes multiple lifting devices.

Abstract: A an analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta comprising a platform for receiving feces; a urine drain; a feces outlet from the bowl; and a urine outlet from the bowl; wherein the platform and drain are separated by a raised hump; at least one first load cell for detecting the weight of the bowl; at least one fecal sensor for detecting at least one property of the feces; and at least one urine sensor for detecting at least one property of the urine is disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for automating a sliding window having window components comprising a stationary pane component, a sliding pane component and a window frame component. The mechanism includes a telescoping mounting assembly attached to a first of the window components. The telescoping mounting assembly includes a housing and one or two extension arms, selectively extensible from the housing to either one or both sides of the first window component. A motor is disposed within the housing driving a first gear. Either one or two telescoping drive shafts are disposed within the extension arms, each having a gear on one end of the telescoping drive shaft driven by the first gear and having a gear on an opposite end of the telescoping drive shaft that engages a rack mounted on one side of a second of the window components. The telescoping drive shafts are coupled to the extension arms and are therefore selectively extensible with first extension arms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disposing of blackwater are disclosed. A first vessel contains a screw running through the vessel from a first end to a second end. The screw is surrounded radially by a filter. The first vessel has a blackwater inlet adjacent the first end. An extrusion plate is adjacent the second end of the first vessel. A combustor vessel is configured to receive a solids component from the extrusion plate. A blackwater stream, consisting of a liquid component and the solids component, is passed through the blackwater inlet into the first vessel, is conveyed by the screw from the first end to the second end, and is pressurized against the extrusion plate. The liquid component is thereby forced from the blackwater stream through the filter and the solids component is forced through the extrusion plate into the combustor. The combustor is configured to combust the solids component.