Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle seat is disclosed. The locking device comprises at least one tolerance compensating element and a second damping element provided for damping the movement of a bolt element received in the locking device. The elements are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the action of force effected by the bolt element, such that under normal conditions the tolerance compensating element acts in a damping manner and the second damping element additionally provides a damping action under the action of high dynamic force.

Abstract: An alignment system for a HUD is provided and includes a mirror, a mirror actuator, first and second light sources, an optic assembly, and a control module. The mirror actuator adjusts mirror orientation. The first light source generates a first light beam. The mirror directs the first light beam from the HUD to a combiner to generate a virtual image. The second light source generates a second light beam. The optic assembly directs the second light beam to the combiner to generate a fiducial. The control module: performs an alignment process including, based on received inputs, controlling the mirror actuator to adjust mirror orientation to adjust a position of the virtual image and align a portion of the virtual image, the fiducial and an eye of a viewer; determines a height of the eye based on a mirror angle; and displays another virtual image based on the height.

Abstract: A memory device includes a channel, a control gate electrode, and at least one charge storage element located between the channel and the control gate electrode. The control gate electrode includes a first electrically conductive layer, a second electrically conductive layer and a ferroelectric material layer located between the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a sterile staple implant kit that a surgeon may unpack and utilize during a surgery. The staple implant kit comprises a group of complementary surgery-specific instruments that are packaged in a sterile state. An instrument tray is configured to preserve the instruments in the sterile state until the staple implant kit is opened during the surgery. The instrument tray is configured to provide the surgeon with easy access to the instruments during the surgery. The staple implant kit comprises at least a staple inserter and a surgical staple suitable for being implanted in parallel holes drilled across a bone fusion or fixation site of a patient. The surgical staple preferably is loaded in a relaxed configuration into the staple inserter. A staple retention clip retains the surgical staple in the staple inserter until the staple is distracted during the surgery.

Abstract: The “factory installed” hydraulic circuitry of an automotive transmission is modified to increase line pressure to permit heavy duty and high performance applications of the transmission, and to prevent the onboard computer from sensing and counteracting the increased line pressure. The “factory installed” Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) regulator valve is modified to prevent over pressuring of this valve which would otherwise result from the increased line pressure. The “factory installed” Torque Converter Clutch control valve is modified to compensate for the increase in line pressure to adjust the application of the valve to prevent rough or abrupt gear shifts and provide smooth application of the torque converter clutch.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for managing an object's lifecycle in an object store. A distributed ledger is used to record transactions between a client and an object store. The distributed ledger records the transaction and also attests to the object authenticity. Thus, the transactions can be verified and may assist in resolving issues that arise with respect to the stored objects.

Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with at least one camera and a plurality of electrical connectors in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.

Abstract: A method includes generating, via a camera, image data that is reproducible as an image of at least a portion of a subject. The method also includes receiving, via a sensor, first biomeasurement data associated with the subject, the first biomeasurement data including a first biomeasurement of the subject. The method also includes verifying the first biomeasurement of the subject based at least in part on a comparison between at least a portion of the image data and at least a portion of the first biomeasurement data.

Abstract: A disclosed submersible pump apparatus includes a three-dimensional frame, a pump housing, a drive shaft, an impeller, and first and second motors. The impeller is mounted on the driveshaft within the pump housing and is driven by one or both of the motors. The first motor is connected to a first end of the drive shaft and the second motor connected a second end of the drive shaft. The first and second motors are hydraulic motors and in a first configuration, the first and second motors are configured to cooperatively rotate the drive shaft with hydraulic fluid supplied to and removed from the first and second motors using a parallel fluidic connection. In a second configuration, only one of the motors has a drive gear and drives the drive shaft while the second motor does not have a drive gear and acts as a frictionless bearing supporting the drive shaft.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to a hydraulic door closer, and more specifically is directed to a hydraulic storm or screen door closer that has a fluid overflow chamber providing fluid volume and pressure control for both expanded and contracted fluid at different temperatures. The disclosed hydraulic door closer comprises a fluid overflow chamber adapted to hold sufficient fluid to maintain required operating fluid or oil levels at different temperatures, and to ensure proper closer performance under both extreme high and low temperature conditions.

Abstract: The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane and higher hydrocarbons is described using SO3 and sulfate, sulfite, bisulfite and metabifulfite salts as oxygen transfer agents in the presence of one or more elements selected from Groups 3 to 14 of the periodic table, optionally further in the presence of alkali or alkaline salts and/or sulfur-containing compounds.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a variable displacement engine (VDE) of a vehicle to adjust a power generated by the VDE based on a demand for power from an onboard AC power generator of the vehicle. In one example, a method for a vehicle includes, with an engine of the vehicle turned off, estimating a power draw of an external electrical device to be supplied power via an onboard generator of the vehicle, and starting the engine in a variable displacement engine (VDE) mode with a number of deactivated cylinders selected based on the estimated power draw.

Abstract: Systems and methods for unsticking intake and exhaust valves of an engine are described. In one example, valves that may be adjustably timed relative to an engine crankshaft position may be adjusted to unstick intake and/or exhaust valve that are stuck open or closed. In addition, fuel injection timing and spark timing may be adjusted in an effort to unstick intake and/or exhaust valves.

Abstract: An attraction system includes a fluid source configured to emit a fluid stream with a geometry that facilitates internal reflection, a transmitter configured to transmit a signal through the fluid stream such that the signal is enclosed in the fluid stream via internal reflection and the signal comprises a parameter, a sensor configured to receive the signal via the fluid stream and provide data indicative of the parameter, and a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The control system includes a processor and a memory, and the memory includes instructions that cause the processor to receive the data indicative of the parameter from the sensor, and operate the attraction system based on the parameter.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to communicate with a server of a cloud system to enable access to use the vehicle via one or more electronic keys is provided. The vehicle includes electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling unlocking of the vehicle. The subsystem is interfaced with the electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes communications circuitry that is interfaced with electronics of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is programmable to communicate with the server of the cloud system and communicate with a mobile device. The communications circuitry of the vehicle is configured to receive a request from the mobile device for unlocking of the vehicle. The request from the mobile device includes a unique access code obtained by the mobile device from the server to enable sending the request to the vehicle. The unique access code is associated with privileges for use of the vehicle.