Abstract: Cleaning, maintaining, refurbishing, and/or diagnosing engine components including fuel system components, e.g., such as fuel-injectors. In one embodiment, a method of cleaning a fuel system component is provided. The method includes supplying a cleaning solution through the fuel system component, discontinuing the supplying of the cleaning solution, repeating the supplying of the cleaning solution and the discontinuing of the supplying of the cleaning solution a plurality of times, decoupling the source of cleaning solution, and connecting a source of fuel to the fuel system component, and supplying fuel through the fuel system component to re-establish fuel-based operation. In additional embodiments, a method of processing a fuel system component while it remains connected to an engine assembly, and a method of diagnosing a defective fuel system component, are provided.

Abstract: A building model connector is disclosed comprising a central body, an arm extending outwardly from the central body, the arm including a first arm portion, and a second arm portion, and first and second gripping teeth formed at the distal end of the first arm portion and the second arm portion, respectively, on the inner surface thereof. The first and second gripping teeth are configured to removably connect to a form such as a building panel. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for efficiently backing up large datasets may include (i) identifying data on an application server to be deduplicated by a deduplication server and then stored on a backup server, (ii) dividing the data into subsets, and (iii) for each subset of data subsequent to an initial subset of data, (a) transferring the subset of data to the deduplication server in response to detecting that a previous subset of data has completed transfer to the deduplication server, (b) deduplicating the subset of data in response to detecting that the previous subset of data has completed deduplication, and (c) transferring a deduplicated version of the subset of data to the backup server in response to detecting that the subset of data has completed deduplication and the previous subset of data has completed transfer to the backup server. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fire-resistant retail product packaging, such as sleeves, pouches, wraps, and the like, that is capable of containing fires of high intensity for products such as lithium-ion batteries. The fire-resistant paper comprises Kraft paper with a preferred eight of 40 to 60 pounds/3,000 ft2, and a fire-resistant ink applied to each side of the Kraft paper. The fire-resistant ink includes an acrylic resin, a dispersant, and a boron compound, and optionally, talc and a molybdate compound. When heated, the fire-resistant ink preferably converts the Kraft paper into a non-combustible and heat shielding substance.

Abstract: Described is a system for predictive storage policy selection for a cloud-based storage based on backup monitoring. The system may reduce storage costs incurred by a subscriber of a backup service that leverages a cloud-based storage. The system may monitor backup operations and collect backup statistics associated with the resource requirements of performing a backup to a cloud-based storage. To collect such information, the system may execute a specialized monitoring process that works in conjunction with a backup application and/or server. The collected information may be stored as part of a metadata database associated with the object storage. Accordingly, the system may retrieve the information from the metadata database to predict storage costs associated with performing future backup operations. Based on the predicted storage costs, the system may automatically select an appropriate storage policy.

Abstract: A semiconductor device module may include a leadframe spacer that provides the functions of both a leadframe and a spacer, while enabling a double-sided cooling configuration. Such a leadframe spacer may include a leadframe surface that provides a die attach pad (DAP) that is shared by at least two semiconductor devices. The leadframe spacer may include at least one downset, where the semiconductor devices may be attached within a recess defined by the at least one downset. A first substrate may be connected to a first side of the leadframe. A second substrate may be connected to downset surfaces of the at least one downset, and positioned for further connection to the semiconductor devices in a double-sided assembly.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including, a torsional motion driver member having an exterior perimeter circumscribing an axis of rotation of the torsional motion driver member, and a torsional motion follower member including a body portion and a bearing collar rotatably coupled to the body portion, the torsional motion follower member being coupled to the torsional motion driver member with a dimensionally substantially invariant interface, wherein the bearing collar is decoupled from the exterior perimeter of the torsional motion driver member so that the exterior perimeter, as a whole, is free of the bearing collar.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to wireless network discovery, management, the enabling of services, and economic exchanges in a cooperative manner by one or more federated sets of consumers, one or more access point providers, and one or more wireless service providers. Described herein are methods and apparatus for the discovery, classification, and management of wireless networks. The methods and apparatuses described herein may leverage two complementary elements impacting the performance of wireless LANs: (1) organization and management of the wireless access points (hot spots) from an ontology perspective, and (2) organization of mobile devices as a federation.

Abstract: An integrated renewable energy source (RES) and energy storage system (ESS) facility configured to supply power to an AC electrical grid includes energy storage system capacity and inverter capacity that are larger than a point of grid interconnect (POGI) limit for the facility, enabling high capacity factors and production profiles that match a desired load. At least one first DC-AC power inverter is associated with RES, and at least one second AC-DC power inverter is associated with the ESS. AC-DC conversion is used when charging the ESS with RES AC electric power, and DC-AC conversion utility is used when discharging ESS AC electric power to the electric grid. Aggregate DC-AC inverter utility exceeds the facility POGI limit, and excess RES AC electric power may be diverted to the second inverter(s).

Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) for use with an electrically powered accessory is disclosed. The PDU includes at least one power input configured to receive electrical power from an electrical supply equipment and/or a second power source. The PDU also includes an accessory power interface configured to provide power to the electrically powered accessory. The PDU further includes a vehicle power interface configured to provide power to a vehicle electrical system of the vehicle. Also the PDU includes at least one switch configured to selectively connect the at least one power input to a power bus, and selectively connect the power bus to at least one of the accessory power interface and the vehicle power interface. The PDU also includes a controller configured to control the at least one switch to provide power to the electrically powered accessory and/or the vehicle electrical storage device of the vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transmitting information optically. For instance, a system may include an optical source configured to generate a beam of light. The system may include at least one modulator configured to encode data on the beam of light to produce an encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses. The system may include a spectrally-equalizing amplifier configured to receive the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses from the at least one modulator and both amplify and filter the encoded beam of light/encoded plurality of pulses to produce a filtered beam of light/filtered plurality of pulses, thereby spectrally equalizing a gain applied to the encoded beam of light. In some cases, the system may slice the beam of slight, to ensure a detector has impulsive detection. In some cases, the system may include a temperature controller to shift a distribution curve of wavelengths of the optical source.

Abstract: A robotic delivery system includes a server, a dispatch module, and a robotic delivery vehicle. The dispatch module transmits a suggested item to the dispatch application being executable on a client device operated by a user; transmits an item cost for the suggested item to a dispatch application; receives, from the dispatch application, a selection of the suggested item from the user of the client device; transmits a message directing the robotic delivery vehicle to deliver the suggested item having been selected; and transmits a message to a facility associated with the robotic delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A disclosed example includes memory; instructions in the apparatus; and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to: monitor for a mobile device communication at a merchant location; obtain a first identifier from the mobile device communication obtained at a first server in response to identifying the mobile device communication during the monitoring; store the first identifier in association with the merchant location in a database; and in response to determining that the first identifier is present in the database, send an association between the first identifier and the merchant location to a second server of an audience measurement entity, the first identifier included in a second communication from the second server of the audience measurement entity.

Abstract: A moveable acoustical panel is disclosed for location on a surface comprising a frame having a lower support supporting an upper horizontal support by a first and a second vertical support. A first and second pair of support leg extends angularly from said first end of said frame with first and second plurality of rolling members secure thereto for enabling said frame to be moved along the surface. A flexible acoustical blocking material for blocking acoustical sound is secured to the supports.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of stiffening shafts, which in some cases are adapted to couple to a marine vessel. An exemplary stiffening shaft can be used to extend a motor from the marine vessel or be used as a shallow water stick anchor. The exemplary stiffening shafts can include a plurality of linked vertebrae stacked to form a column and at least one inelastic tension element threaded longitudinally through the plurality of vertebrae. The shaft can have a flexible configuration when the at least one tension element is released and a stiffened linear configuration when the tension element is tensed to react to torque and bending moments. Alternatively, the stiffening shaft can be used as a shallow water stick anchor for a marine vessel by piercing the bottom of a marine environment (e.g., a sea bed, a lake bed, a river bed, etc.).

Abstract: A device may be configured to detect a glare condition and may comprise a photo sensing circuit and a visible light sensing circuit. The photo sensing circuit may be configured to periodically generate an illuminance signal that indicates an illuminance value. The visible light sensing circuit may be configured to periodically record images of the space at an exposure time. The device may receive an illuminance signal from the photo sensing circuit and determine a present illuminance based on the illuminance signal. The device may adjust the frequency at which the visible light sensing circuit records images based on the present illuminance. The exposure time may be determined based on the present illuminance and a glare condition type. An image recorded at a respective exposure time may wash out pixels above a certain illuminance value. The device may detect a glare condition at the location of washed out pixels.

Abstract: An interactive cord system can include sensing circuitry coupled to a system ground and an interactive cord. The interactive cord can include a plurality of non-conductive lines a plurality of conductive sensing lines at least partially woven with one or more of the plurality of non-conductive lines to form at least one touch-sensitive area along the interactive cord and one or more conductive grounding lines electrically connected with the system ground and extending at least partially along an outer portion of the interactive cord.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are agricultural compositions comprising plant messenger packs (PMPs), methods for using the same, and methods and related bioreactors for manufacturing PMPs.

Abstract: Described herein are polyoxymethylene (POM) compositions comprising polyoxymethylene and styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymers or modified SMA copolymers, said POM compositions exhibiting improved physical properties such as heat deflection temperatures compared to POM compositions which do not comprise SMA copolymers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for issuing, by an officer, a citation to an offender associated with a legal violation is described herein. The method can include acquiring, via an optical scanner, personal information associated with a driver license of the offender and vehicle information associated with a vehicle associated with the offender and with the legal violation. One or more databases can be queried to identify personal information associated with the offender, vehicle information associated with the vehicle, and one or more remedial options in response to the citation. A handheld device can generate the citation by including the personal information, the vehicle information, the legal violation, and an indication of the remedial option. The offender can sign the ticket electronically to generate the executed ticket. The executed ticket can be transmitted to a smart phone or a printing device, or an email account associated with the offender.