Abstract: An example embodiment includes a tongue includes a forming surface of a forming channel, the forming channel configured to enable the shaping of shredded material into a desired form as a shredded material is drawn through the forming channel and an arrangement to introduce at least a portion of a web component adjacent a portion of the forming surface such that the introduced web component portion may be operative upon the drawn shredded material as a source of additional drawing action. The tongue may include an arrangement to draw a moving web into the tongue through a channel that converges with the working surface of the tongue, whereby the moving web is interposable between a moving column of shredded material and the first surface portion of the working surface to reduce friction. The tongue may further comprise an arrangement comprising a scalloped surface portion along the working surface of the tongue.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically connecting an accessory with a host device are disclosed. The accessory may include a private key and a public key, wherein the public key is associated with an account. The same account may be associated with the host device. The accessory may transmit an encrypted message, including a key, to the host device, wherein the key may be the public key. Upon decryption and validation of the key, the accessory and host device may automatically connect via short-range wireless pairing.

Abstract: A carbon capture system includes two carbon capture plates. A first carbon capture plate collects carbon dioxide from a flow of ambient air. A second carbon capture plate releases carbon dioxide upon application of heat from a heat exchanger. The heat is exhaust heat from a data center. The first carbon capture plate and the second carbon capture plate are rotatable between the capture and release positions. The carbon capture system uses the waste heat from a data center to collect and store atmospheric carbon dioxide, thereby reducing the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.

Abstract: A balanced armature receiver including a diaphragm with an elastomer surround is disclosed. The surround is fastened to multiple surfaces of the diaphragm and can be a siloxane-based material. In one implementation, the diaphragm includes a paddle flexibly coupled to a frame and the surround covers a gap between the frame and the paddle.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns production of product peptides with a target amino acid sequence by proteolysis of a recombinant polypeptide comprising specific protease recognition sites or chemical cleavage sequences. In some embodiments, the product peptide is released from repeating peptide units in the recombinant polypeptide by removal of intervening amino acid sequences by proteolysis by proteases that recognize sites within the intervening amino acid sequences and a carboxypeptidase, aminopeptidase, and/or further protease.

Abstract: A system, method, and device to enable communication between a first and second satellite station and a controller of a mobile platform. The controller includes a processor, a first modem facilitating communication with the first satellite station via a first frequency over a first communication link, and a map of the one or more networks of satellite stations including the second satellite station. The controller utilizes the map of the one or more networks of satellite stations to determine the second satellite station for communicating with the controller. A second modem is coupled to the controller and facilitates communication with the second satellite station via a second frequency over a second communication link, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a time to handoff communication with the mobile communicator from the first communication link to the second communication link.

Abstract: The present application is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, flat straps for use between tracks and fluted wall components, fire sponges for use in fluted wall components, and tracks with protruding grooves or other structures which prevent unwanted air movement between a wallboard component and the track.

Abstract: Responsive to indication that a predicted amount of solar or wind power from a power generating event will exceed a power storage capability of one or more power storage devices configured to receive the solar or wind power, controllers may command the one or more power storage devices to discharge energy to a power grid before the power generating event such that the power storage capability of the one or more power storage devices increases.

Abstract: A method for managing a vehicle steering system of a vehicle having a steering assist system, including estimating a steering angle amplitude during a steering maneuver before rotating the steering wheel to the steering angle amplitude value associated with the steering maneuver. Using the estimated steering angle amplitude value to control activation of the steering assist system associated with the vehicle steering system. In one example, the estimated steering angle amplitude value adapts a torque assist signal of the steering assist system.

Abstract: A system includes a coupler-journal including a central body portion and a coupling portion. The coupler-journal is configured for attaching with a first torque tube and a second torque tube. A bearing is configured for placement around the central body portion.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst for reduced palladium loading is provided. The catalyst includes an inert substrate and a palladium catalyst material coating the substrate. The palladium catalyst material includes a support material formed from one of 10% CeO2/Al2O3, 20% CeO2—Al2O3 (20CeAlOy), 30% CeO2—Al2O3 (30CeAlOy), Al2O3, and MOx-Al2O3, wherein M is one of copper, iron, manganese, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, strontium, and barium. The palladium catalyst material includes a layer of CeO2 material disposed upon the support material, wherein the layer of CeO2 material is dispersed on a surface of the support material. The palladium catalyst material includes an active component including a layer of praseodymium oxide particles dispersed across the surface of the layer of CeO2 material and a layer of palladium particles disposed upon and dispersed across the surface of the layer of CeO2 material at locations each corresponding to a respective location of each of the praseodymium particles.

Abstract: Technologies are provided herein for selecting one or more subimages to be processed from a plurality of images received. A subset of images is identified, from the plurality of images received, that include a face image. The face image is assessed to generate assessment information regarding one or more of a size of the face image, a pose of the face in the face image, sharpness of the face image, and contrast quality of the face image. Each aspect of the assessment information is compared with corresponding criteria and, as a result of determining that the assessment information satisfies the criteria, facial recognition processing is performed on the face image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a differential disconnect assembly of a vehicle, the differential disconnect assembly including a dog clutch used to engage and disengage a gear of a differential of the vehicle from a transmission of the vehicle. In one example, a method for operating a dog clutch comprises de-energizing a solenoid coupled to the dog clutch to initiate dog clutch disengagement; and during disengagement of the dog clutch when a return spring coupled to a first toothed interface of the dog clutch applies a first force on the first toothed interface in a first direction away from a second toothed interface, transiently re-energizing the solenoid that applies a second force to the first toothed interface in a second direction which is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for blockchain-based payment transactions, alerts, and dispute settlement, using a blockchain interface server.

Abstract: A parcel sack management system and related process. The parcel sack management system includes a gathering conveyor configured to receive a parcel group at an intake and transport the parcel group to a sack filling station. The system includes a plurality of fill chutes that are transported along a circulating track, each fill chute configured to hold a sack. The parcel sack management system is configured to transfer parcels in the parcel group into a first sack via a first fill chute when the first fill chute is at the sack filling station.

Abstract: A system for smoking a product includes a vase for containing a liquid. The vase has a closed bottom, and a side wall extending from the closed bottom and an open top that is unobstructed. The system further includes a bottle for inserting into and removing from the vase. The bottle has an open bottom, an open top, a flange circumscribing the bottle adjacent the open top, and a conical opening in the open top that is unobstructed. In addition, the system includes a grommet mounted to the open bottom of the bottle such that the open bottom is substantially unobstructed. Lastly, the system includes a bowl with a conical exterior that is complementary in shape to the conical opening in the bottle. The bowl can form a conical, glass-to-glass seal with the bottle.

Abstract: A mounting system capable of mounting objects to support structures is disclosed. The mounting system includes a wall mount including a display bracket configured to hold the object, a fixed support bracket couplable to a vertical support structure, and a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly has a low-profile stowed configuration in which the object is held in a raised position close to the support structure. The linkage assembly moves to another configuration to move the object. The object can be held in a lowered position. A biasing mechanism can facilitate convenient movement of the object.