Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of conveyor systems and product mover systems. In one embodiment, an expandable conveyor segment, comprises an end frame; a plurality of x-bars coupled with each side of the end frame, each x-bar including: an outer bar having a first, second, and third joint point; and an inner bar having a first, second, and third joint point; wherein the inner bar is movably coupled to the outer bar by a double-shouldered spacer; and wherein each x-bar is movably coupled with at least one adjacent x-bar; and a plurality of rollers coupled between the plurality of expandable x-bars.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes a shaft having a side catheter guide attached thereto via a guide coupler into an inferior vena cava and a superior vena cava such that the guide coupler is disposed in a right atrium, and applying a distal force to a proximal portion of the side catheter guide such that a distal end of the side catheter guide deflects laterally about the guide coupler towards a septum. The method further includes extending a side catheter that is disposed within the side catheter guide distally from the side catheter guide towards and into contact with the septum. The method further includes, with the side catheter in contact with the septum, extending a septum penetrator that is slidably disposed within the side catheter distally from the side catheter such that the septum penetrator pierces the septum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to a generator comprising a housing defining an interior and fluidly separating the interior from surrounding ambient air, at least one of a rotor or stator located within the housing, a cooling circuit passing through at least a portion of the housing to cool the interior and recirculating a coolant having a density greater than the ambient air, and a jet pump having a motive fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the cooling circuit, a transport fluid circuit fluidly coupled to the ambient air.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a set of conforming data frames in a specialized data network, the method comprising generating a specialized header, providing the specialized header to a data destination, generating a set of conforming data frames, providing at least a subset of the conforming data frames to the data destination, identifying the subset of conforming data frames, and performing processing operations on the stored subset of conforming data frame.

Abstract: A securement apparatus is provided that includes a robotic arm having a plurality of axes of rotation, one or more position cameras, a controller in communication with the robotic arm to control displacement and articulation of the robotic arm using at least in part, position data received from the one or more position cameras, a mirror gripper positioned at a first end of the robotic arm for engaging a mirror, and an air knife having one or more nozzles for providing an air sheet of forceful air.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide improved engine load models are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a model generator to generate an engine load model for an engine using flight information, weather information, and manifest information to predict a load on the engine from an engine subsystem utilization modeled for a flight. The example model generator is to incorporate the engine load model into an engine model, the engine model representing engine behavior for the flight. The example model generator is to determine a first measure of thrust from the engine and a second measure of fuel flow to the engine using the engine model with the engine load model, the engine load model to modify engine behavior by the predicted load on the engine from the engine subsystem utilization.

Abstract: An antenna system provides greater range than conventional omnidirectional antennas while using substantially the same or less power by a system of antenna components, arranged so as to permit in the aggregate transmission over an effective 360 degrees as an omnidirectional antenna, while permitting selection of one of the components so as to reduce the amount of energy required. One application for the invention is use on drones or other lightweight vehicles where weight and power are significant considerations, but where range is also a significant objective.

Abstract: Methods and systems of operating hydraulically powered electric generators are disclosed. The hydraulically powered electric generators comprise opposing stators spaced apart by an armature. The armature is positioned against a first stator. A conduction path is established through a coil of the first stator. The armature is magnetically held against the first stator for a specific time period. The armature is hydraulically moved away from the first stator to capture electrical energy resulting from a collapse in magnetic field in the first stator and the armature.

Abstract: An apparatus determining network health comprising base stations in bidirectional communication with radios, each having an identifier and transmitting a signal including the identifier. First and second health determining radios each receive the signal during normal over-the-air operation of radio and determine if the radio is authorized and, if so, determine the identifier, time-separated signal waveforms that are compared, operating characteristics from the compared waveforms, and a current location of the radio. Each of the radios determine health of the radio based on packet sniffing, a frequency deviation, or a range of deviations by analyzing the operating characteristics. After analysis results sent to the master controller from the radios indicate that the authorized radio is healthy, the master controller determines from the analysis results that a geographically unhealthy location of the network exists within the geographic area from which the authorized healthy radio transmitted the signal.

Abstract: A battery system includes a pair of current collectors that are configured to provide a parallel electrical connection between electrochemical cells of a cell array. The pair of current collectors includes a first current collector plate that provides an electrical connection between the ends of the respective cells, and a second current collector plate that includes openings that receive the cells therein, and provide an electrical connection between the sidewalls of the respective cells. The current collectors are each on the same end of the cells and the opposed end of the cell can be protected or electrically isolated for a multitude of functions, such as cell cooling.

Abstract: Methods, processes, systems, devices and apparatus are provided for additive manufacture resulting in the 3D printing of ceramic materials and components with a thickness greater than three millimeters (3 mm). A sulfur-free 3D printable formulation comprises a liquid inorganic polymer resin using Stereolithograpy (SLA) printers and Digital Light Processing (DLP) curing of the polymer resin via the chemical bonding of the materials rather than sintering. Thus, the process has shorter manufacturing intervals, significantly lower energy use and produces larger scale ceramic components having less linear shrinkage, less mass loss and high ceramic yield with no corrosive sulfur compounds present in the ceramic component.

Abstract: A method performed by a system of one or more computers for operating a virtual entry system for a building. The method includes receiving, from a mobile device, a selection associated with information related to a navigation interface. The method includes sending, to the mobile device in response to receiving the selection, information related to a communication interface, the information related to the communication interface including a meeting code. The method includes receiving, from the mobile device, a first request to initiate a communication session between the mobile device and an electronic device, the first request including the meeting code. The method includes initiating, based on the first request, a communication session between the mobile device and the electronic device. The method includes receiving a second request to unlock a door of the building in response to the communication session.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include a resource manager in a multiple node network receiving a demand for additional bandwidth, from a terminal, and the resource manager having updated information on the state of the mobile node network and, using that the state information, performing test allocation of the requested bandwidth to the requesting terminal. Disclosed methods include determining whether previous commitments of service can be met with the test allocation in place. Associated with a positive result, an allocation is sent to the terminal.

Abstract: In general, a smart door alarm and locking mechanism and methods for use thereof are provided for maintaining security while providing ease of access to a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are used in fuel dispensing devices for providing fuel to a vehicle. However, the methods and devices can be utilized in any device having a payment system where security and access are both required. In some embodiments, the described methods and systems include a door alarm and door lock kit that allow unlocking one or more doors in a housing of a fuel dispenser and simultaneously disabling or de-activating respective door alarm sensor(s). In a similar manner, the door can be locked and the door alarm sensor activated or re-activated substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A firearm has a trigger shield configured as a protective loop surrounding a trigger of the firearm and the trigger actuates the function of the firearm when activated by a finger and the trigger is a lever a user presses with his/her finger that starts the firing process. The firearm further has an emitter mounted on the trigger shield that propagates a light beam to a receiver mounted on an opposite side of the trigger shield, wherein when a finger depresses the trigger, his/her finger is blocking the light beam and the firearm will not activate and when the finger is moved away from the light beam, the firearm discharges.

Abstract: A firearm has a trigger shield that is a protective loop surrounding a first and second switch of the firearm and the switches actuate the function of the firearm when activated by a finger to start the firing process. The first switch is on a first side of the protective loop and the second switch is on a second side of the protective loop. The protective loop is vertically aligned having the first and second switches on respective shorter sides of the protective loop. The firearm further has a first emitter mounted on the trigger shield that propagates a first light beam to a first receiver mounted on an opposite side of the trigger shield and a second emitter mounted on the trigger shield that propagates a second light beam to a second receiver mounted on an opposite side of the trigger shield. When a finger depresses one of the switches, his/her finger is blocking the light beam and the firearm will not activate and when the finger is moved away from the light beam, the firearm discharges.

Abstract: A package includes a carton (10) and a plurality of articles (B). The carton includes carton walls (14, 16, 26b/30b) and at least one handle structure (HA2) formed from at least one (26b/30b) of the carton walls. The at least one handle structure includes a tab (44b) formed from the at least one of the carton walls. The tab is hingedly connected, by a hinged connection (42b), to the at least one of the carton walls and arranged to fold at least in part about an article disposed within the carton to form at least a portion of a handle opening (40b) so as to allow a user (U) to grasp a portion of the article and the carton disposed adjacent to the article.

Abstract: A firearm has a trigger shield configured as a protective loop surrounding a first and second switch of the firearm. Each switch actuates the function of the firearm when activated by a finger to start the firing process. The first switch is on a first side of the protective loop and the second switch is on a second side of the protective loop. Further, the firearm has an emitter mounted on the trigger shield that propagates a light beam to a receiver mounted on an opposite side of the trigger shield. When a finger depresses one of the switches, his/her finger is blocking the light beam and the firearm will not activate and when the finger is moved away from the light beam, the firearm discharges.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide a process that includes one or more of receiving an audio signal at a feedback compressor circuit, receiving an auxiliary attenuation signal from an auxiliary attenuation source, determining a threshold power level based on a value of the auxiliary attenuation signal, determining an output power level of the audio signal exceeds the threshold power level, combining the audio signal with the auxiliary attenuation signal from the auxiliary attenuation source and a compressed attenuation signal from the feedback compressor circuit to create a combination signal, and generating an audio output signal of the feedback compressor circuit based on the combination signal.