Abstract: A personal air filtration system comprising a rigid component, a flexible component, wherein the rigid component and the flexible component combine to cover at least a user's mouth and nostrils and form a seal therearound, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and an app running on a user's smart device, wherein a smart app is configured to control and monitor operation of the system.

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 device for filtering air for a user comprising a rigid component comprising, a transparent face shield that provides a space for air between an inside surface of the face shield and the user's face, an intake port, through which intake air enters the device, an exhaust port, through which exhaust air exits the device, a fabric component affixed to the rigid component that, combined with the rigid component, covers the user's head and seals around the user's neck, an intake filter that filters intake air passing through the intake port, an exhaust filter that filters exhaust air passing through the exhaust port, and an air mover assembly mounted on the rigid component that moves intake air through the intake port and exhaust air through the exhaust port, wherein the air mover assembly is mounted on the rigid component by vibration absorbing members, to thereby reduce transmission of the vibration of the air mover assembly to the rigid member, thereby reducing noise from the air mover assembly within the devi

Abstract: A personal air filtering device for protecting a user from harm, the 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 and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, one or more sensors, each configured to detect either an environmental condition or a condition of the user, and a processor configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors and execute a protective measure.

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: Devices and system for releasably securing objects are disclosed. An insert with tabs around a perimeter is inserted into a receiver. The tabs follow inlet grooves and tab capture grooves, and then retract into tab resting depressions, securing the insert and receiver while force is maintained between the insert and the receiver. The force is removed and the tabs exit the tab resting depressions into the tab release groove. Application of the force again causes the tabs to enter into an outlet groove and out of the receiver, thus detaching the insert and the receiver. The device is preferably used in a system for raising a lowering a rectangular platform with a device at each corner of the platform.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring items in a garage are disclosed. The methods include providing a definition of an area in the garage to a garage monitoring unit mounted in the garage. The garage monitoring unit comprises a camera positioned to observe the area in the garage. The method also includes identifying an item pertaining to the area such that the camera of the garage monitoring unit is capable of identifying presence, absence, and misalignment of the item relative to the area, and inputting a rule for issuing an alert if the presence, absence, or misalignment of the item relative to the area breaks the rule. The method also includes receiving an alert from the garage monitoring unit when the rule is broken.

Abstract: A system for operating an overhead door using a battery and a low voltage power supply are disclosed. A battery is connected to a standard power outlet and charges from a power adaptor that converts the power down to a reduced voltage and provides the reduced power to the battery. The battery provides the principal power required to operate the overhead door opener. With the preferred embodiment, there is no need for an additional, higher-rated outlet near the overhead door opener, or a long high-voltage cable in the garage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a motor unit for an overhead door opener. The motor unit comprises a motor and transmission components configured to transmit power from the motor to a shaft of an overhead door opener. The motor unit also includes a case having one or more vertical panels. The case houses the motor and the transmission components. The motor unit also includes guide bearings on an edge of the vertical panels that accommodate a shaft of an overhead door with the case supported by the shaft. The transmission components comprise a shaft-engaging member configured to be secured around the shaft by affixing the shaft-engaging member to the shaft. The transmission components transmit power from the motor to the shaft of the overhead door.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting batch multi-effect distillation are disclosed. A multi-effect distillation system and one or more isolation devices are provided. A feed stream, consisting of water and a solute, is passed from a feed source into a brine side of the plurality of heat exchangers. The feed source is isolated from the plurality of heat exchangers by closing the one or more isolation devices. A first of the plurality of heat exchangers is heated by the heat source. A steam stream and a brine concentrate stream are produced in all but a last of the plurality of heat exchangers. A condensate stream from the steam stream is produced in all but the first of the plurality of heat exchangers. A warmed feed stream is produced in the last of the plurality of heat exchangers.

Abstract: An access system and system for enabling a package to be delivered to a house are disclosed. The access unit includes a keypad, a light, and an activatable open button. The access unit opens a door to the structure when the button is pressed while active. The access unit also includes an authentication module configured to communicate via Bluetooth with a package delivery unit when the package delivery unit reaches a predetermined delivery distance near the structure and to authenticate the package delivery unit. The access unit also includes an execution module configured to store one or more rules pertaining to delivery of a package by the package delivery unit and to execute the one or more rules in response to the access unit successfully communicating with the package delivery unit, wherein one of the rules is to activate the activatable open button if the authentication is successful.

Abstract: A multifunction lock unit is disclosed. The unit is a single, contained unit that includes a base box near an overhead door and a deadbolt in the base box that protrudes into a hole in the overhead door to lock the overhead door. The deadbolt is extendable into the hole and retractable out of the hole. The unit also includes an actuator in the base box coupled to the deadbolt and configured to extend and retract the deadbolt. There is a wireless communication module that can receive a signal from a control unit to extend or retract the deadbolt via the actuator, and send a signal to the motor unit to raise or lower the overhead door. The unit also has a light on the base box for displaying at least two colors of light to show a status of the unit.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for an overhead door is disclosed. The system includes a torsion adjustment comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being rotatable relative to one another in a first direction and not in a second direction opposite the first direction. The system also includes an anchor fixed to the first portion, a collar fixed to the second portion, the collar being selectively fixable to a shaft of the overhead door, and a spring coupled between the collar and the anchor. The spring supports at least a portion of the weight of the overhead door as the overhead door is raised and lowered. Rotating the first portion of the torsion calibration collar relative to the second portion of the torsion calibration collar increases torsion in the spring and therefore calibrates the spring to support a desired amount of the weight of the overhead door.

Abstract: An overhead door opener for opening and closing an overhead door is disclosed. A motor is coupled to a shaft and is configured to rotate the shaft to raise and lower the overhead door. The shaft is coupled to the overhead door. The overhead door opener also includes a one-way bearing coupling the motor to the shaft, wherein the one-way bearing is configured to transmit torque from the motor to the shaft, and not to transmit torque from the shaft to the motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for receiving a package in a landing zone relative to a structure. The method includes receiving package information for a package to be delivered to the structure including a size of the package, defining a landing zone for the package according to the size of the package, and receiving notice that the package has arrived at the structure. In response to the notice, the method includes displaying a visual display of the landing zone, monitoring the landing zone to confirm the package is in the landing zone, and issuing a notification that the package is in the landing zone.

Abstract: The invention is a mobile fueling system for vehicles that includes a fleet of mobile fuel stations, such as trucks. Each mobile fuel station has at least one fuel reservoir adapted for storing either liquid fuel, gaseous fuel and electric fuel. The system also includes a data processing hub and a network providing wireless data communication between vehicles, the fleet of mobile fuel stations, and the data processing hub. The data processing hub receives vehicle data from vehicles and fleet data from each mobile fuel station over the network. The vehicle data is transmitted from a customer's smart device running a customer app.

Abstract: A leveler for a window covering is disclosed. A fixed portion is secured to a headrail of a window casing, and moving portion is secured to the window covering. The moving portion is movable upward and downward relative to the fixed portion to allow for vertical adjustment of one end of the window covering relative to the window casing to straighten the window covering in the window.

Abstract: A window covering is disclosed including a headrail spanning a window casing, and an end cap assembly in an end of the headrail. The end cap assembly includes a carriage, a movable portion extensible from a retracted position in the carriage to an extended position protruding at least partially from the carriage, and a mounting bracket coupled to the movable portion and being configured to forcibly contact the window casing and secure the headrail in the window casing. The assembly also includes a cam contacting the movable portion and being configured to move the movable portion from the retracted position to the extended position. The assembly further includes a flange extending from the cam and contacting the movable portion, the flange being configured to maintain the movable portion in position relative to the carriage. The assembly also includes a lever coupled to the cam. Rotation of the lever causes the cam to move the movable portion.

Abstract: An overhead storage system is disclosed. The storage system includes an overhead frame that supports a ceiling for a room, at least one storage box, and a roof or floor for a second room above the first. Attached to the frame is at least one raise/lower mechanism which raises and lowers a storage box. The storage box(es) fit within the frame when raised and are accessible when lowered. Each storage box has a bottom wall that includes a ceiling surface for the room and a structure with at least one storage surface. The raise lower mechanism(s) is a winch driven pulley system that winds up and lets out at least one line.

Abstract: An automated sliding window mechanism is disclosed. An automated sliding window mechanism includes a motor attached to a first component of a sliding window and configured to open and close the sliding window, a controller that controls the motor, and at least two air pressure sensors in communication with a processor. If the window is open, based on signals from the air pressure sensors, the processor determines whether a draft is flowing through the window. If the window is closed, based on signals from the air pressure sensor, the processor determines whether a draft would flow through the window if opened. The processor sends a signal to the controller to either open or close the window, depending on whether a user has elected to have a draft flow through the window. In a preferred embodiment, a system is provided with at least two automated windows.