Abstract: A shear wall assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first anchor, a second anchor, a third anchor, a first bolt, a second bolt, a seismic fuse, and a rod. Each anchor includes a hollow tubular body including a first open end, a second open end, an interior including female threads, and an exterior including male threads. Each bolt includes a head and a shank. The shank includes male threads. The shank extends through an open end of an anchor. The male threads of the bolt engage with the female threads of the anchor. The seismic fuse is configured to receive the heads of the bolts and includes a hole. The rod includes an end with male threads. The rod extends through the hole of the seismic fuse into the open end of an anchor. The male threads of the rod engage with the female threads an anchor.

Abstract: A switch has a first input to couple to an AC electrical power source, a second input to couple to a DC electrical power source, and an output to couple to an electrical power load. A control module transmits a signal to the electrical power load to determine whether the electrical power load uses AC electrical power or DC electrical power, and receives in response thereto an indication that the electrical power load uses one of AC electrical power and DC electrical power. The control module then transmits a signal to the switch to configure the switch to receive electrical power from one of the AC electrical power source and the DC electrical power source and transmit the received electrical power to the electrical power load, responsive to the received indication.

Abstract: Semi-automated testing devices for a plumbing stack are disclosed. A semi-automated testing device in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a transfer pump configured to automatically fill the plumbing stack; at least one automated gripping element configured to grip a supplemental pipe coupled to a pipe of the plumbing stack via a connection; at least one automated sealing element configured to seal the connection; and at least one sensor configured to measure a water level of the supplemental piping. A method of testing the plumbing stack with the semi-automated testing device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleat connector for mounting a cabinet is provided including a substantially cylindrical body and a slot. The substantially cylindrical body has a perimeter and a diameter that corresponds to an opening in a back of a cabinet. The slot extends from the perimeter partially into the body. A cabinet and method of installation is also provided.

Abstract: A kitchen kit is provided including a utility tower, infrastructure panels, and finishes. The kitchen kit allows each pre-fabricated component to provide a datum and alignment for the following component. The kitchen kit allows rapid installment of a kitchen with minimal to no measurement and alignment on site. A method of installing the kitchen kit is also provided.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system receives input indicating occupancy state of a user with regard to a designated area, or a plurality of areas therein or portions thereof. The system further receives, from one or more of a plurality of sensing capable devices of, or in communication with, the monitoring and control system, input indicating a respective event involving the user entering or exiting the designated area, or an area therein or portion thereof, the sensing capable devices situated on or near the user, within the designated area, or in one or more of the plurality of areas therein, or portions thereof. The system transmits a message to the user responsive to the respective event involving the user entering or exiting the designated area and the occupancy state of the user with regard to the designated area.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system includes a number of alternating current (AC) power output ports to transmit electrical power at a first fixed AC voltage level to a corresponding number of AC power loads. An AC bus coupled to the AC power output ports, and to couple to an AC power grid, transmits electrical power at a second fixed AC voltage level. A DC bus transmits electrical power at a first fixed DC voltage level. A number of AC power input/output (I/O) adapters are coupled to the AC bus and the DC bus, each including a bidirectional AC-to-DC (AC/DC) converter to receive and convert the electrical power transmitted on the AC bus at the second fixed AC voltage level to the electrical power at the first fixed DC voltage level for transmission to the DC bus, and to receive and convert the electrical power transmitted on the DC bus at the first fixed DC voltage level to the electrical power at the second fixed AC voltage level for transmission to the AC bus.

Abstract: An apparatus to connect two mass timber (CLT, LVL, or other configurations) shear wall panels, comprising a high load deformation capacity steel connector, wherein the connector comprises a high stiffness that shifts to a low stiffness during a high intensity earthquake or significant wind loading event.

Abstract: A user configurable modular building system is provided. The user configurable modular building system includes a plurality of assemblies, a plurality of units, and a plurality of blocks. The plurality of assemblies includes a plurality of building components that perform building functions. Assemblies are selected from the plurality of assemblies to form a plurality of units. The plurality of units includes studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom units with different layouts of the selected assemblies. Units are selected from the plurality of units to form a plurality of blocks. The blocks are portions of a building. Blocks are selected to form the building based on a mix and layout of units. A method of designing a building system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to perform steps to design a building system are also provided.

Abstract: A user configurable modular building system is provided. The user configurable modular building system includes a plurality of assemblies, a plurality of units, and a plurality of blocks. The plurality of assemblies includes a plurality of building components that perform building functions. Assemblies are selected from the plurality of assemblies to form a plurality of units. The plurality of units includes studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom units with different layouts of the selected assemblies. Units are selected from the plurality of units to form a plurality of blocks. The blocks are portions of a building. Blocks are selected to form the building based on a mix and layout of units. A method of designing a building system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to perform steps to design a building system are also provided.

Abstract: A user configurable modular building system is provided. The user configurable modular building system includes a plurality of assemblies, a plurality of units, and a plurality of blocks. The plurality of assemblies includes a plurality of building components that perform building functions. Assemblies are selected from the plurality of assemblies to form a plurality of units. The plurality of units includes studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom units with different layouts of the selected assemblies. Units are selected from the plurality of units to form a plurality of blocks. The blocks are portions of a building. Blocks are selected to form the building based on a mix and layout of units. A method of designing a building system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to perform steps to design a building system are also provided.

Abstract: A user configurable modular building system is provided. The user configurable modular building system includes a plurality of assemblies, a plurality of units, and a plurality of blocks. The plurality of assemblies includes a plurality of building components that perform building functions. Assemblies are selected from the plurality of assemblies to form a plurality of units. The plurality of units includes studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom units with different layouts of the selected assemblies. Units are selected from the plurality of units to form a plurality of blocks. The blocks are portions of a building. Blocks are selected to form the building based on a mix and layout of units. A method of designing a building system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to perform steps to design a building system are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to power distribution systems. A power distribution system may include a switching unit configured to receive power from a plurality of sources, each source of the plurality of sources configured to supply power at a phase offset from a phase of every other source. The power distribution system may also include a plurality of loads. Furthermore, the power distribution system may include at least one monitoring unit configured to selectively couple, via the switching unit, each load of the plurality of loads to a source of the plurality of sources based on at least one of a current power demand of the plurality of loads and a predicted demand of the plurality of loads.

Abstract: A door locking apparatus is provided including a first plate, a second plate, a front assembly, a lock clip, and at least one control. The first plate includes at least one vertical slot. The lock clip is rotatably attached to the front assembly and includes at least one horizontal slot in a first end. The at least one control is mounted to the first plate and includes at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion projects through the at least on vertical slot and through the at least one horizontal slot. The at least one control moves vertically between a first position and a second position. The lock clip is in an open position when the at least one control is in the first position and a locked position when the at least one control is in the second position.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system receives input indicating occupancy state of a user with regard to a designated area, or a plurality of areas therein or portions thereof. The system further receives, from one or more of a plurality of sensing capable devices of, or in communication with, the monitoring and control system, input indicating a respective event involving the user entering or exiting the designated area, or an area therein or portion thereof, the sensing capable devices situated on or near the user, within the designated area, or in one or more of the plurality of areas therein, or portions thereof. The system transmits a message to the user responsive to the respective event involving the user entering or exiting the designated area and the occupancy state of the user with regard to the designated area.

Abstract: A drywall kit is provided including a wall frame, a drywall section, and a cabinet. The wall frame includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of vertical studs. A first vertical stud includes a first hole and a first bolt screwed into the first hole. A second vertical stud includes a second hole and a second bolt screwed into the second hole. The drywall section includes a third hole which aligns with the first hole and a fourth hole which aligns with the second hole. The cabinet includes a back panel. The back panel includes a fifth hole which aligns with the first hole and a sixth hole which aligns with the second hole. The cabinet and the drywall section are secured to the wall frame via the first bolt and the second bolt. A method of installation is also provided.

Abstract: A closed wall connector is provided comprising an “L” shaped bracket. The “L” shaped bracket includes a horizontal leg and a vertical leg. The horizontal leg includes a first plurality of apertures. The vertical leg includes a second plurality of apertures. The closed wall connector also includes a first plurality of fasteners to connect the horizontal leg to a base, and a second plurality of fasteners to connect the vertical leg to a wall panel. A wall is also provided. The wall includes a wall panel including a bottom plate and sheathing and a closed wall connector. The bottom plate and sheathing of the wall panel are connected to the vertical leg of the closed wall connector with the second plurality of fasteners. A method of installing the wall is also provided.

Abstract: A closed wall hold down system is provided including at least one closed wall panel, at least one first tie rod, at least one second tie rod, at least one coupler nut, and at least one ratcheting take-up device. The at least one closed wall panel includes a bottom plate and a top plate. The at least one first tie rod projects through the bottom plate. The at least one coupler nut is coupled to the at least one first tie rod and to a first end of the at least one second tie rod. A second end of the at least one second tie rod extends through the top plate. The at least one ratcheting take-up device engages the second end of the at least one second tie rod. A method of installing the closed wall hold down system is also provided.

Abstract: A prefabricated formwork is disclosed. The prefabricated formwork of the present disclosure comprises at least one bracket comprising a first slot and a second slot, at least one first wall configured to be inserted into the first slot of the at least one bracket, and at least one second wall configured to be inserted into the second slot of the at least one bracket. The prefabricated framework may further comprise at least one support having at least one groove configured to receive the at least one bracket.

Abstract: In one aspect, a smart corner is provided that can be prefabricated. The smart corner comprises a rear side including a first hole, a first side including a second hole, a second side including a third hole, and a top. A wall frame is also provided. The wall frame includes a top plate, a bottom plate, studs, and four smart corners. A framing system is also provided comprising at least two wall frames. The at least two wall frames connect via the smart corners.