Abstract: A portable solar powered illumination system has a housing adapted for transport using at least one pair of wheels coupled to an axle assembly. The housing has a rear facing wall that extends at a selected non-orthogonal angle with respect to a base of the housing. The rear facing wall supports a tri-fold solar panel assembly with first, second and third solar panels. The first solar panel is affixed to the rear facing side wall, and the second and third solar panels hingedly fold onto and away from the first solar panel between retracted and deployed positions. Energy collected by the solar panel assembly is stored by an energy storage device during the day and used by a light assembly for illumination at night. An elevation adjustment device establishes a rotational angle of the housing to maintain the deployed solar panels at a desired angle.

Abstract: In various implementations, customer service may be provided using a pager and/or user device. Signal(s) associated with a pager and/or user device may be received. One or more metrics may be determined at least partially based on the received signals. The metric(s) may be monitored. In various implementations, a management system of a location may receive a signal from a pager and/or user device indicating that an event has occurred at the location. A time the signal is received by the management system may be determined. One or more time-related metrics may be determined based at least partially on the received signal, the determined time, or both.

Abstract: An integrated multiple voltage battery system includes a first pair of output terminals, a second pair of output terminals, a plurality of first battery cells connected in series with each other and operatively connected to the first pair of output terminals, at least one second battery cell operatively connected to the second pair of outlet terminals, and a plurality of switches, the plurality of switches arranged such that each first battery cell in the plurality of first battery cells can be selectively placed in parallel with the at least one second battery cell while electrically isolating the other of the plurality of first battery cells from the at least one second battery cell, wherein each of the plurality of first battery cells has a nominal open cell voltage which is about the same as a nominal open cell voltage of the at least one second battery cell.

Abstract: An inventory replenishment device may include a divider which may be coupled to an inventory management apparatus via an articulation joint. The inventory management apparatus may be used to hold or support one or more inventory items, and the divider may be coupled to the inventory management apparatus so that two or more inventory items may be separated by the divider. The articulation joint may enable the divider to be moved between a first position, in which the divider may block access of one or more inventory items, and a second position, in which the divider may allow access of the one or more inventory items. An actuation sensor may be configured to detect when the divider is moved into the second position, and the actuation sensor may be configured to output an electronic signal to a client device when the divider is moved into the second position.

Abstract: An instrument for setting a position of a resection of a distal femur or a proximal tibia in a total knee arthroplasty, the instrument comprising: a stable portion, the stable portion configured for orientation in a set position relative to said distal femur or said proximal tibia; a resection guide portion, the resection guide portion configured to guide a resection path for said resection; a resection guide body, the resection guide body associated with the resection guide portion in a fixed orientation; the resection guide body pivotally connected to the stable portion, whereby pivoting adjustment of the resection guide body on the stable portion sets a resection orientation of the resection guide portion; and the resection guide body having a lock for selectively locking the resection guide body to the stable portion at a plurality of selectable resection orientations.

Abstract: An approach is provided for delivering high throughput inroute bandwidth to a terminal in a shared bandwidth satellite communications system. A backlog level of each of a number of remote terminals is monitored, wherein the backlog level of each terminal reflects an amount of data traffic awaiting transmission via an inroute channel of the communications system. When it is determined that the backlog level of one terminal meets a first threshold level, the terminal is assigned to an express priority bandwidth allocation stage. The backlog level of the terminal is monitored while assigned to the express priority stage. When it is determined that the backlog level of the terminal has fallen below a second threshold level, the terminal is removed from the express priority stage. Further, a probability is applied to a qualifying terminal, where the probability controls whether the terminal is assigned to the express priority bandwidth stage.

Abstract: An approach for classification of a data traffic session over a data communications network is provided. A network device receives data packets of the data traffic session. The network device determines a plurality statistical factors that characterize the data traffic session based on the received data packets. The network device analyzes the determined statistical factors in relation to a plurality of classification variables, and classifies the data traffic session as being one of a plurality of session priority types based on the analysis, wherein each of a plurality of subsets of the classification variables delineates the plurality of session priority types over a continuum with respect to a corresponding one of the statistical factors.

Abstract: Systems and method for creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a cell site and associated fiber connectivity for one or more of a cell site audit, a site survey, and cell site planning and engineering include determining fiber connectivity at or near the cell site; obtaining first data capture of the fiber connectivity at or near the cell site; obtaining second data capture of paths of the fiber connectivity from the cell site; obtaining third data capture of the cell site including a cell tower, associated cell site components on the cell tower, one or more buildings, and surrounding geography around the cell site; utilizing the first data capture, the second data capture, and the third data capture to develop the 3D model; and utilizing the 3D model to perform the one or more of the site audit, the site survey, and the cell site planning and engineering.

Abstract: An end treatment for use with an ultrasonic gas flow meter includes an attenuation section having a pipe extending in a longitudinal direction and containing a set of alternating, spaced, and vertically oriented first and second plates located between an inlet end and an outlet end of the pipe. Each plate includes a first end connected to an inside wall of the pipe and a second end extending past a longitudinal centerline of the pipe to define a gap between the end of the plate and a respective opposing inside wall of the pipe. As the gas traverses the plates by flowing through the gaps, the ultrasonic waves are prevented from reflecting back to the flow meter.

Abstract: One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for cooling a surface. The system can include a housing. The housing can include an evaporator portion. The housing can include at least one trifurcated heat exchange portion. The at least one trifurcated heat exchange portion can include a condenser portion coupled to the evaporator portion. The at least one trifurcated heat exchange portion can include a coolant portion substantially surrounded by the condenser portion. The at least one trifurcated heat exchange portion can include a phase change material portion substantially surrounding the condenser portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for determining the operation of a vehicle safety system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the controller for a safety system comprises a sensor input for receiving a signal from a safety system sensor; a camera input for receiving a signal from a camera; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of receiving the sensor signal indicating an absence of detected objects in a field of view of the safety system sensor; receiving the camera signal indicating at least one non-vehicle object identified in the field of view of the camera; and maintaining the active vehicle safety system as active in response to the sensor signal indicating the absence of detected objects and the camera signal indicating the identification of at least one visual non-vehicle object.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: A marine propulsion unit is described. The marine propulsion unit allows for shallow, obstructed, or otherwise impeded operation of a vessel through a novel marine propulsion transfer unit that is, or can be, mechanically coupled to an outboard motor or other similar marine motor. A mount for raising and lowering the marine propulsion unit in a generally vertical direction allows for adjustment of operating depth of the marine propulsion unit to accommodate a wide range of operating conditions from shallow and obstructed water to traditional deep water operation.

Abstract: A battery module includes a battery module housing that defines an interior space. The battery module housing includes at least one interior wall that segregates the interior space into at least two cavities. The battery module housing and the at least one interior wall are formed of a flexible laminate material, and an electrochemical cell is disposed in one of the at least two cavities. The cell may include a housing formed of a flexible laminate material, or alternatively may be housing-free.

Abstract: Various examples of a controller, method and system for monitoring a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical sync signal and an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving a data signal at the communications port which includes a time value and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle in response to the electrical start signal. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.

Abstract: A discrete input determining circuit is disclosed, which includes an input biasing network connected to a discrete input for providing a first input voltage, a voltage divider network for dividing the first input voltage into a second input voltage and a third input voltage, a first comparator, wherein a non-inverting input terminal of the first comparator receives the second input voltage, and a second comparator, wherein an inverting input terminal of the second comparator receives the third input voltage, wherein an inverting input terminal of the first comparator and a non-inverting input terminal of the second comparator receive a reference voltage, and an output terminal of the first comparator and an output terminal of the second comparator are configured to provide a logic output. A discrete input determining method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods produce image correction data for a lens or sensor based on individual images acquired under different operating parameters. Example apparatus and methods then produce strip correction data based on a strip of images pieced together from the individual images. Example apparatus and methods then produce panoramic image correction data based on a panoramic image pieced together from two or more strips of images. The strip of images is produced without using a hemispherical mirror and thus accounts more accurately for issues associated with making a two dimensional representation of a three dimensional spherical volume. Images are acquired using different imaging parameters (e.g., focal length, pan position, tilt position) under different imaging conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, pan rate, tilt rate) to account for aberrations that may appear or be exacerbated under operating conditions.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for interactive weight management that includes generating a number of sub-goal weights g0, g1, . . . gn based on a current weight Cw, a desired weight loss amount (?W), a desired weight Dw, a curve tension r, and a timeframe (?) in which the weight loss amount (?W) is to be achieved, wherein the timeframe (?) includes a number (n) of time periods that each correspond with a pair of successive ones of the sub-goal weights g0, g1, . . . gn. The method includes sending the sub-goal weights g0, g1, . . . gn and the number (n) of time periods to a weight measuring device that is associated with a user. Based on the condition Wa1>gi<Wa2 or based on the condition W a ? ? 1 < g i + g i + 1 2 ? ? and ? ? W a ? ? 2 < g i + 1 + g i + 2 2 , new sub-goal weights g0, g1, . . . gn are generated and are updated in the weighing device.

Abstract: Combination fuel cell stack and electrochemical battery system provides stable and redundant electrical power to one or more traction motors. The electrochemical battery packs comprise modules that are switched between a low-voltage parallel configuration connecting to the fuel cell stack and a high-voltage series configuration connecting to the traction motors, thereby harvesting low-voltage energy from the fuel cells and deploying that energy as high-voltage power to the motor. The plurality of electrochemical battery packs can be switched such that at least one is always connected to the traction motor for continuity of power.