Abstract: A variable-thermal-resistance mounting system may include a cylinder coupled to a heat source, or heat load and a rod movably engaged to the cylinder and coupled to a remaining one of the heat source and heat load. The rod may be coupled to a heat load. The rod may be axially slidable relative to the cylinder between a collapsed position and an extended position in a manner causing a change in heat flow between the heat source and the heat load such that the warm-side temperature of the heat load is initially set at a substantially optimal value.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a loudspeaker unit to a structure is disclosed. A primary mounting bracket is defined by an arcuate center section and a pair of opposed arms extending therefrom. There is at least one open groove and at least one substantially coextensive track spanning the arcuate center section. Each of the arms include a circular planar bearing structure rotatably engageable to a corresponding one of bracket coupling platforms on an enclosure of the loudspeaker unit. A tab defining at least one mounting hardware hole in axial alignment with open groove substantially throughout its length is in a guided sliding engagement with the track. The enclosure of the loudspeaker unit is rotatable about a first axis extending between the arms of the primary mounting bracket and about a second axis defined by a radial center of an arc corresponding to a travel path of the tab along the track.

Abstract: A self-optimizing energy harvester comprises a thermoelectric generator coupling to a thermal source, producing a source voltage greater than a minimum start-up voltage, where the thermoelectric generator drives a boost circuit and a feedforward circuit, delivering power to a load. A conventional boost circuit has a maximum output power only at the input voltage for which a fixed set point resistor is chosen. The feedforward circuit dynamically optimizes the boost circuit according to a dynamic set point resistance, thus increasing output power for a wide range of input voltages, relative to using a fixed reference resistor. The dynamic set point resistance is the sum of a variable resistance and a reference resistance. A sample element forms a differential voltage between the source and input voltage elements, and the variable resistance corresponds to the differential voltage. A reference resistor is chosen to establish the minimum start-up voltage.

Abstract: A system for managing and organizing content includes a source capable of operating at least one application (i.e., content manager, taxonomy manager, etc.). The application(s) are capable of providing a plurality of pieces of content and a plurality of master taxonomies, each master taxonomy including at least one piece of content placed at one or more locations. After providing the pieces of content and the master taxonomies, the application(s) can identify a subset of the pieces of content and at least one master taxonomy, where the subset includes at least one piece of content. The application(s) can then generate at least one client taxonomy based upon the identified subset and the master taxonom(ies) such that the subset of the pieces of content can thereafter be organized in the client taxonom(ies). The system can also include a client capable of organizing the subset in the client taxonom(ies).

Abstract: A system for providing content includes a source and a client. The source is capable of generating a representation of the content, the content being hierarchically-structured and including at least one item having an associated type. The source is capable of generating a representation including an identity table and at least one type table, each item of content being included in the identity table, and included in a type table based upon the type of the item. Thereafter, the source can be capable of providing the representation of the content. The client is capable of receiving the representation of the content, and accessing at least a portion of the content based upon the representation. The client can also be capable of receiving a query for at least one item of content, searching the representation for the item(s), and accessing at least a portion of the content including the item(s).

Abstract: A thermoelectric energy harvester comprises a cyclic energy input terminal supplying heat energy in a first part of the cycle to a thermal storage reservoir through a low thermal resistance generator. During a second part of the cycle, the thermal storage reservoir returns stored heat energy to the environment through an independent thermal circuit and a higher thermal resistance thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A wrapped thermoelectric power source having an inner and an outer insulator is provided within a housing formed, at least partially, by an upper and lower thermal transfer elements. The thermoelectric power source including a plurality of coupled pairs of thin film materials possessing thermoelectric properties, the pairs disposed on a flexible substrate and electrically coupled in any series/parallel combination, with the flexible substrate wrapped around an inner thermal insulator. The thermoelectric power source may be sized such that at least a portion of an electronics module may be disposed at least partly within the inner thermal insulator. The electronics module is electrically coupled to the thermoelectric power source, and includes components for voltage regulation and/or power conditioning.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating combustion in a rotary engine with planetary rotors orbiting inside a housing containing a main rotor. In various embodiments, the planetary rotor has a multi-faceted face that engages a bridge during the transition from the compression cycle to the combustion cycle with the bridge and face forming a dynamic seal; the planetary rotor has a face engaging a bridge during the transition from the compression cycle to the combustion cycle such that the bridge and face have a gap that allows gas flow from the trailing volume to the leading volume and the gap is sufficiently small to quench flame propagation from the leading volume to the trailing volume; and/or the face of the planetary rotor opposite a fuel injector has a pocket that allows the fuel cloud to expand without impinging or wetting the face of the planetary rotor.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a circular damper, a cone, and a cylindrical bobbin. The circular damper may include a centrally disposed cone attachment protuberance and a peripherally disposed top plate attachment section. The cone may have a central inner portion that may be attached to the cone attachment protuberance of the damper. The cone may be attached to the cylindrical bobbin, which may have a voice coil coupled thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for an aspiration plate for a rotary internal combustion engine. The engine has three rotating members that orbit about the center of a three-armed rotor as the rotor rotates within a housing with three lobes. The tips of the rotating members engage the lobes and a circular cutout in the rotor as the rotor rotates. A back, or aspiration, plate includes inlet and exhaust ports that are sequentially opened and closed by the rotating members and rotor as they move within the housing. A front plate rotates with the rotor and separates the combustion chambers from a planetary gear assembly that ensures the alignment of the rotating members as they orbit the rotor shaft. Fuel is injected after the compression cycle is initiated.

Abstract: A system for providing digital rights management of protected content includes a client and a DRM manager. The client is capable of receiving at least one piece of content, the piece(s) of content being encrypted with at least one encryption key regardless of client user(s) authorized to access the piece(s) of encrypted content. To facilitate the client accessing one or more of the piece(s) of content, the DRM manager is capable of transferring the encryption key(s) to the client, the encryption key(s) being encrypted with a private key of a public key/private key pair unique to a client user associated with the client. The client can thereafter decrypt the encryption key(s) using the public key of the public key/private key pair unique to the client user. Then, the client can decrypt the piece(s) of content using the decrypted encryption key(s), and access the decrypted piece(s) of content.

Abstract: A terminal assembly that selectively couples multiple electrical loads in parallel or in series includes a circuit board that may be defined by a first section and a second section. A housing is disposed on the circuit board, and defines an access aperture overlapping multiple sets of jumpers attached to the first and second sections of the circuit board A cover is positioned on the access aperture to selectively expose the set of jumpers of the first section of the circuit board and the set of jumpers of the second section of the circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus for a rotary internal combustion engine. The engine has three rotating members that orbit about the center of a three-armed rotor as the rotor rotates within a housing with three lobes. The tips of the rotating members engage the lobes and a circular cutout in the rotor as the rotor rotates. A back plate includes inlet and exhaust ports that are sequentially opened and closed by the rotating members and rotor as they move within the housing. A front plate rotates with the rotor and separates the combustion chambers from a planetary gear assembly that ensures the alignment of the rotating members as they orbit the rotor shaft. Fuel is injected after the compression cycle is initiated.

Abstract: An apparatus for a rotary internal combustion engine. The engine has three rotating members that orbit about the center of a three-armed rotor as the rotor rotates within a housing with three lobes. The tips of the rotating members engage the lobes and a circular cutout in the rotor as the rotor rotates. A back plate includes inlet and exhaust ports that are sequentially opened and closed by the rotating members and rotor as they move within the housing. A front plate rotates with the rotor and separates the combustion chambers from a planetary gear assembly that ensures the alignment of the rotating members as they orbit the rotor shaft. Fuel is injected after the compression cycle is initiated.

Abstract: An apparatus for a rotary internal combustion engine. The engine has three rotating members that orbit about the center of a three-armed rotor as the rotor rotates within a housing with three lobes. The tips of the rotating members engage the lobes and a circular cutout in the rotor (1002) as the rotor rotates. A back plate includes inlet and exhaust ports that are sequentially opened and closed by the rotating members and rotor as they move within the housing. A front plate rotates with the rotor and separates the combustion chambers from a planetary gear assembly that ensures the alignment of the rotating members as they orbit the rotor shaft. Fuel is injected after the compression cycle is initiated.

Abstract: A method for inkjet printing using an ink comprised of an acicular pigment and a solvent in an inkjet printer to print on a recording medium wherein the inkjet printer has an ink reservoir and a print head. The method comprises obtaining the ink comprised of the acicular pigment and the solvent wherein the ink has a first viscosity, filling the ink reservoir of the inkjet printer with the ink, flowing the ink from the ink reservoir to the print head of the inkjet printer, and jetting the ink from the print head of the inkjet printer and onto the recording medium, wherein the ink has a second viscosity upon exiting the print head. An ink formulation(s) comprised of an acicular pigment and a solvent for use in printing images with an inkjet printer. An ink cartridge and an inkjet printing system compatible with an ink comprised of an acicular pigment.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a radiation source for irradiating a product, the system including an radiation reflector comprised of a low Z, high density material. The reflector is positioned to receive radiation penetrating and exiting the product, and the reflector reflects the radiation back to the product to provide additional irradiation energy to the product.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that integrates puddle and footwell lighting in a vehicle with a speaker grille. The apparatus includes a grille having a plurality of apertures configured to permit transmission of acoustic energy generated by a speaker or other audio device. The apparatus further includes a light emitting device configured to illuminate a surface, such as the floor of a vehicle or the ground outside of a vehicle, through the grille.