Abstract: A tuned liquid damper, including a first outer housing having two ends, the first end being open to the atmosphere and the second end being connected by a conduit to a gas-filled second outer housing. The conduit may be adapted to allow gas flow between the second end and the second outer housing. The tuned liquid damper may also include first and second membranes, each attached to the inside of the first outer housing, and a sealed compartment within the first outer housing defined by the first and second membranes. The sealed compartment may be at least partially filled with a liquid, which prevents gas flow through the first outer housing from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A method of switching from a closed-loop start-up method to a closed-loop synchronous operation motor control algorithm for a synchronous motor having a permanent magnet rotor and stator windings. The method comprises initiating the closed-loop start-up method by energizing the stator windings to drive the permanent magnet rotor using motor control signals based on a detected, estimated, or randomly selected initial standstill angle of the permanent magnet rotor.

Abstract: Cutters for severing objects in a bore. The cutters having a planar body with an opening passing from a top surface through a bottom surface, with the opening encircled by the body. A cutting edge is disposed on a side of the opening proximate a back end of the body. The cutting edge having a layer thereon to sealingly cover the edge. The body is configured for placement with the opening coincident with a bore in a housing and for movement across the bore. The body is configured to receive a propelled member to make contact with the body to transfer kinetic energy from the member to the body to move the body across the bore for the cutting edge to pass through the layer thereon and sever any object in the bore. A method for severing objects in a bore.

Abstract: A blowout preventer actuation system has a frame configured for underwater disposal, with a kinetic blowout preventer and at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer mounted thereon. The kinetic blowout preventer is configured with an electrically operated initiator. An interface module is disposed on the frame for signal communication with the electrically operated initiator. The interface module is configured to generate an actuation signal to actuate the initiator upon detection of the at least one of an electrical signal, an acoustic signal, and a hydraulic signal. A method for actuating a blowout preventer.

Abstract: A method of analyzing swing of a player of a sport is disclosed. A system uses sensors to capture data representing a path of motion of a sporting good (such as a bat) object as a person swings the object toward a target (such as a ball), over multiple swings of the object. For each of the captured paths of motion, the system determines a slot representing a portion of the swing along which the object traveled in approximately a straight line leading to a point of impact with the target. The system saves the slots to a swing fingerprint data set in a data store. The system generates a visual representation of the swing fingerprint data set by outputting the slots on a display as viewed one or more viewing angles and/or dimensions.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore and defining a passage transverse to the through bore. At least one seal is configured for positioning with an opening on the seal coincident with the through bore. The at least one seal being disposed to engage an element disposed in the transverse passage. The at least one seal being configured to receive a fluid under pressure to energize the seal to restrict fluid flow between the through bore and the transverse passage when the element is disposed proximate the through bore. A method for operating a blowout preventer.

Abstract: A modular paintball harness is disclosed, including a backplate extending along the back of a user and releasably engaging with a waist belt to adjustably extend around the torso of the user. A lower pod sleeve releasably engages to the backplate to receive a first subset of a plurality of pods and an upper pod sleeve releasably engaged to the lower pod sleeve, the upper pod sleeve to receive a second subset of the plurality of pods. The modular paintball harness reduces unwanted movement and shaking during use while distributing the weight of the paintball harness and pods when worn. Further, the modular paintball harness allows the selectable configuration of the upper pod sleeve and lower pod sleeve based on the user's needs and playing style.

Abstract: One aspect disclosed features an apparatus comprising: an input buffer configured to receive an input voltage pulse as an input, and to output, responsive to a leading edge of the input voltage pulse, a logic high voltage pulse at a first output of the input buffer and a logic low voltage pulse at a second output of the input buffer; an array of L active pull-up devices electrically coupled between a positive supply rail and an output node, each active pull-up device driven by the logic high voltage pulse as modulated by a corresponding bit of a series of N first L-bit binary words; and an array of L active pull-down devices electrically coupled between a negative supply rail and the output node, each active pull-down device driven by the logic low voltage pulse as modulated by a corresponding bit of a series of M second L-bit binary words.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an electro-mechanical cross-steer device for a vehicle. The device may include a first and a second motor and first and second output planetary gear set, each having a transfer gear assembly mechanically connected to the first and second motors, respectively. Additionally, a differential may be included which is mechanically connected to the first and second output planetary gear sets via a mainshaft connected to the first and second output planetary gear sets. First and second input shafts may be mechanically connected to the first and second transfer gear assemblies and to the differential. First and second output shafts may be respectively connected to the first and second output planetary gear sets with each of the output shafts operable to drive a particular side of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and methods for analyzing motions of items and humans who carry them are disclosed. The system a sensor configured to be connected to either a movable object or a person carrying the object. The sensor will generate data that represents movement of the object. The housing also holds a swing detection system that analyzes data generated by the sensor and identifies data representing a swing event. After determining that the data corresponds to a swing event, the swing detection system will determine whether a data transfer processor is communicatively connected to an external system. If it is connected, the swing detection system will transfer the data set to the data transfer processor for communication to the external system. Otherwise, the swing detection system will save a first copy of the data set to a temporary data storage device.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and quantifying a relative contribution of each component to the supercurve.

Abstract: A particle analyzer, comprising a source of a substantially nondiffracting light beam; a flow path configured to produce in a flowcell a ribbon-like core stream having a specific cross-sectional aspect ratio; the flowcell being configured to expose a segment of the core stream to the light beam; a detector configured to receive a signal resulting from an interaction of a particle in the core stream with the light beam; a first sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, downstream of the exposed segment of core stream; a plurality of sorting channels in fluid connection with the flow path and downstream of the first actuator; the actuator having multiple actuation states, each state configured to direct at least one part of the core stream to a corresponding channel; a second sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, opposite the first actuator, and operable in coordination with the first actuator.

Abstract: Described is a method of aligning a rotor of a polyphase synchronous motor having a permanent magnet rotor to a predetermined, selected, or specified rotor angle. The method comprises sensing or measuring the stator winding voltages/currents during synchronous operation of the motor. Based on the sensed or measured stator winding voltages/currents, a synchronously rotating reference frame vector voltage (Vq) in the q-axis is determined as a product of stator winding resistance (Rs) and stator winding current (iq) in the q-axis. Corresponding polyphase drive voltages for the synchronous motor for the predetermined, selected, or specified rotor angle (?) are determined from the synchronously rotating reference frame vector voltage (Vq). The polyphase drive voltages are applied to align the rotor on stopping at said predetermined, selected, or specified rotor angle (?). The polyphase drive voltages are applied by suitable PWM drive signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to create training data, validate, deploy and test artificial intelligence (AI) systems in a virtual development environment, incorporating virtual spaces, objects, machinery, devices, subsystems, and actual human action and behavior.

Abstract: Devices, systems, processes, etc., for creating/printing 3D target objects without the need for pre-existing tanks that hold resins from which the target object is created. Such target objects can be created, for example, through the use of stereolithography (SLA) or digital light projection in combination with selected light sources and photosensitive polymers and resins. In certain embodiments, a dynamic shell that holds the resin is created simultaneously with the target object.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a stationary foot platform, a slidable foot platform including a foot block having an inclined surface for engagement with a user's active foot, at least one resistance member selectively couplable to the slidable foot platform to selectively adjust a resistance to movement of the slidable foot platform, and a lip extending upwardly from the stationary foot platform to brace a user's stationary foot.

Abstract: A pedal driven cycle comprising a belt drive connecting a power input sprocket to a driven sprocket along a chain line; an outer protective belt drive cover plate having a footprint which substantially coincides with a side profile of the belt drive along at least a major portion of its length of travel so that the outer cover plate does not extend beyond an outer surface of the belt drive; and fixtures for mounting the outer protective belt drive cover plate to the cycle in parallel with the chain line and laterally spaced apart from a side edge of the belt drive to provide a clearance, with fore and aft adjustment.

Abstract: A valve with a body having a through bore for fluid passage. The body has a plurality of passages transverse to the through bore. At least two of the transverse passages each have a gate disposed therein configured for motion along the passage between a position to permit fluid flow along the through bore and a position to restrict fluid flow along the through bore. Each gate is configured for motion along the transverse passage in one direction in response to a first force acting on the gate and in another direction in response to a second force acting on the gate.

Abstract: A ram for a blowout preventer has a pressure chamber having a piston movably disposed therein, and a charge disposed at one end of the pressure chamber. A gate is coupled to the piston on a side opposed to the charge. The gate is arranged to move across a through bore in a housing disposed at an opposed end of the pressure chamber. A coupling between the piston and the gate has sufficient strength to transfer kinetic energy of the gate to the piston.