Abstract: Components of automatic pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. The components may include brushes configured to attach to blades of scrubbers of the APCs. The flexible brushes may rotate as their associated blades rotate and have fingers which flex so as to adduce contact between a to-be-cleaned pool or spa surface and bristles protruding outward from sides of the fingers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically balancing traffic loads in a communications system (such as satellite communications systems), based on a control of collision rates via the real-time control of throughput of channels of the communications system (such as a real time throughput of random access channels in a satellite network). The method and apparatus generates and transmits to remote nodes or terminals an operating probability based on the determined throughput for transmission using the communications channel. Also, the method and apparatus includes receiving by at least one terminal the generated operating probability and determining by the at least one terminal a transmission probability for the communications channel based upon the received operating probability, which can further be adjusted by one or more of a received upper or lower limit of the generated operating probability or a collision rate for the communications channel.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and assemblies for perfusion therapy including cerebral perfusion therapy such as those for use in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The treatment includes delivery of blood to or about the vicinity of a thrombus site. 1. The device, assembly, and methods embodying features of the present invention NPS device employ suction/aspiration to assist in the removal of obstructions and/or to provide embolic protection from debris liberated during treatment.

Abstract: There are provided circuits and methods for surge protection. For example, there is provided a clamp circuit for protecting a load against a surge. The clamp circuit can include a power dissipation circuit including at least one transistor and a resistor. The clamp circuit can further include a voltage sensitive device configured to cause a voltage limit across the load when the surge occurs. The power dissipation circuit can be configured to turn on the at least one transistor to dissipate power across one of the resistor and the at least one transistor.

Abstract: An outboard marine propulsion system with a closed loop lower unit heat exchanger is described. The closed loop lower unit heat exchanger provides improved cooling to outboard marine propulsion units and increases engine life compared with traditional open loop cooling systems, particularly in harsh environments such as salt water, brackish water, swamp, shallow or sediment and debris rich water. The closed loop lower unit heat exchanger also provides improved performance to the outboard marine propulsion system when mounted to an appropriate portion of the lower unit of the outboard marine engine such as the anti-cavitation plate.

Abstract: A communications terminal comprises data interface, a transport selection processor and a plurality of communications modems. The data interface receives input data from application sessions for transmission over a data communications network. Each of the application sessions imposes respective transmission requirements for transmission of the data over the data communications network. Each of the communications modems transmits the input data over the data communications network via a respective transmission platform, wherein each transmission platform exhibits respective transmission characteristics based on a transmission technology of the transmission platform. The modems are configured to transmit the input data simultaneously.

Abstract: A method comprises monitoring, by a control module of a wireless communications terminal, factors related to a first data path for transmission/reception of data communications by the wireless communications terminal over a wireless data communications network. The control module then determines that the first data path is affected by condition(s), by determining that at least one of the factors satisfies a predetermined state reflecting the condition(s) affecting the first data path. The control module then determines a second data path, wherein the second data path is not affected by the conditions affecting the first data path. The control module then switches from the first data path to the second data path for the transmission/reception of the data communications by the wireless communications terminal over the wireless data communications network.

Abstract: A controller for a host vehicle having adaptive cruise control comprises control logic that determines an actual time gap behind a detected target object and transmits a deceleration message having a deceleration value in response to the actual time gap being less than a predetermined minimum time gap. The control logic receives a torque message from a vehicle retarder indicating that the vehicle retarder is at a limit. If the actual time gap is less than the predetermined minimum time gap, the control logic transmits a transmission control message requesting the transmission to shift to a lower gear. The control logic transmits another deceleration message if the actual time gap is still less than the predetermined minimum time gap, wherein at least one of an associated transmission and an associated braking system respond to decelerate the host vehicle in response to the transmission control message and deceleration messages.

Abstract: An example method of operation may include detecting an acoustic stimulus via active beams associated with at least one microphone disposed in a defined space, detecting loudspeaker characteristic information of at least one loudspeaker providing the acoustic stimulus, transmitting acoustic stimulus information based on the acoustic stimulus to a central controller, and modifying, via a central controller, at least one control function associated with the at least one microphone and the at least one loudspeaker to minimize acoustic feedback produced by the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A system and related method of applying forage treatment material to harvested forage. The method can include harvesting forage, rotating an auger in a bin to convey a granular treatment material toward a tube, moving the material through the tube with a vacuum toward harvested forage moving in a chute to mix the material with the harvested forage, sensing rotation of the auger; displaying an RPM associated with the sensed auger rotation; displaying a measured harvested forage rate; adjusting the actuator to change the RPM to match the applied material amount to the harvested forage based on the measured harvested forage rate. The system can include a bin having an auger, a sensor that measures auger RPM, a tube, a display that displays the RPM in the cab, and an actuator to adjust applied material by changing the RPM based on a measured harvested forage rate.

Abstract: The invention includes a control for adjusting a thermostat comprising a controller including a microprocessor and memory for storing a user interface, a display screen including a touch sensitive screen, the display screen coupled to the microprocessor and memory; the user interface including a main screen having a temperature icon, a time icon, an adjustment icon, and temperature and time set points for at least two days of the week and the microprocessor programmed to highlight one of the time or temperature icons upon selection of said one of the time or temperature icons and thereafter, without navigating away from the main screen, upon selection of the adjustment touch pad icon, the microprocessor programmed to adjust the time or temperature set point.

Abstract: A bone plate system for securing a plurality of bones is provided including a plate member, a locking device of the bone plate, and a surgical cable having a trailing end for being connected to the bone plate and a leading end for being advanced around the bones and into the locking device. The surgical cable may be tensioned to approximate the bones, urge the bones together, and seat the bone plate against the bones. The locking device may be reconfigured to a locked configuration to fix the bone plate to the surgical cable. The bone plate further includes a plurality of throughbores for receiving bone anchors that rigidly fix the bone plate to the bones. The bone plate system utilizes the tensile strength of the surgical cable and the rigid fixation between the bone anchors and the bone plate to resist relative movement of the bones.

Abstract: Provided is an annular matching device indulging a spherical bearing including an inner surface, and an exterior surface movably attached to the inner surface, the inner and exterior surfaces including a bore. Also included is a fastener configured to extend through a first workpiece and through the bore. The spherical bearing is configured to be placed in a second workpiece; and the second workpiece is configured to be moved adjacent to the first workpiece via an engager.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing trajectory amendments are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include receiving, by one or more first computing devices, a plurality of parameters associated with an aircraft. The method can further include determining, by the one or more first computing devices, a trajectory amendment associated with the aircraft based at least in part on the plurality of parameters. The method can include determining, by the one or more first computing devices, a projected operations value associated with the trajectory amendment. The method can further include providing, by the one or more first computing devices to one or more second computing devices of an operator associated with the aircraft, a set of data identifying the trajectory amendment and the projected operations value associated with the trajectory amendment.

Abstract: A thermostat configuration system includes a first thermostat having a processor, a transceiver, a storage area and a control button. The processor generates configuration data for the first thermostat and stores the configuration data in the storage area of the first thermostat. The processor then causes the configuration data to be transmitted to multiple target devices using the transmitter, including at least a second thermostat.

Abstract: A method for electronic logging of carrier data is described. The method includes monitoring a vehicle motion status for a predetermined period and assigning a logical state to at least one duty status variable. A plurality of travel conditions capable of changing a transit period, such as weather, traffic, and construction are monitored, aggregated, and used to determine a predicted likelihood of changing the transit period. The likelihood of occurrence of a compliance rule violation is determined, based on the aggregated values, the predicted likelihood of changing the transit period, and a group of compliance rules. An indicator of the likelihood of occurrence of a compliance rule violation may be generated, and presented to any number of electronic devices. Remedial actions to avoid or mitigate the compliance rule violation may be suggested.

Abstract: An irrigation device for facilitating growth of a plant includes a mat that is air and water permeable and has an opening through which a plant extends. A drip tube is disposed within the mat between upper and lower surfaces thereof. The drip tube has an open end connectable to a water source, and a series of apertures or emitters along the length thereof permitting water to exit the drip tube and through the lower surface of the mat to the ground surrounding the plant.

Abstract: An overfill valve associated with a drop tube segment fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir is described. The overfill valve includes a valve body positioned within the drop tube segment and a non-contact valve actuator positioned exterior to the drop tube segment and operable to actuate the valve body from an open position to a closed position without requiring any physical penetration through the wall of the drop tube segment. The non-contact valve actuator has a first position in which the non-contact valve actuator does not actuate the valve body from the open position to the closed position in a second position, achieved when the liquid reservoir reaches a predetermined level approaching the capacity of the liquid reservoir, the non-contact valve actuator actuating the valve body from the open position to the closed position when the non-contact valve actuator obtains the second position.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for channel bonding in an adaptive coding and modulation mode. In some implementations, a system receives packets of a data stream for transmission in a satellite communications system. The system determines a modulation and coding arrangement for the received packets. The system generates code blocks that include data from the packets of the data stream. The system assigns the generated code blocks for transmission on different carriers. One or more of the different carriers is operated in an adaptive coding and modulation mode to support multiple modulation and coding arrangements within a single carrier. The system transmits the code blocks on the different carriers using the determined one or more modulation and coding arrangements.