Abstract: A liquid dispenser comprise a nozzle comprising an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet to form a flow path, a thermistor in fluid communication with the inlet, an actuator rod comprising a gasket rod tip viton, at least one centering pin to center the actuator rod in at least a portion of the flow path, a flowmeter in fluid communication with the inlet, a double acting pneumatic cylinder comprising a first pneumatic inlet and a second pneumatic inlet operatively connected to the actuator rod, and a switch lever operatively coupled to a micro switch, wherein the nozzle opens when gas enters the first pneumatic inlet when the switch lever is activated by pressing on the micro switch and closes when gas enters the second pneumatic inlet when the switch lever is deactivated. Portable and non-portable liquid dispensing systems comprising the liquid dispenser are also described.

Abstract: A method for controlling congestion of traffic, by one of one or more User Terminals (UTs), traversing an intermediate node, the method comprising: associating one or more traffic flows of a priority to one of the one or more UTs; detecting a traffic congestion for the priority; performing Random Early Detection (RED) congestion control for the priority to relieve the traffic congestion; selecting, for the priority, a User Terminal (UT) with a perceived delay greater than a high threshold; and controlling, by priority, the traffic flows associated with the selected UT.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing spectral efficiency in non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) communication, that implement receiving a signal stream from a user, splitting the signal stream into a plurality of sub-streams, applying a forward error coding (FEC) to each one of the sub-streams, and outputting a corresponding plurality of FEC encoded sub-streams. This can include modulating a corresponding carrier with each of the FEC encoded sub-streams, and combining and transmitting the corresponding plurality of modulated carrier signals.

Abstract: A controller for an adaptive cruise control system having a speed based mode includes an input for receiving a signal indicative of a detected target object, an input for receiving the speed of the host vehicle and control logic. The control logic is capable of transmitting messages to maintain the vehicle at a preset time gap from the target object upon receiving the signal indicative of a target object and transmitting messages to set the vehicle at a predetermined following distance from the target object in response to the speed of the host vehicle being less than or equal to a minimum speed.

Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one or more articles (A) includes a plurality of panels (12, 14, 16, 18) for forming a tubular structure. The plurality of panels include a top panel (16) and a pair of first and second opposed side panels (14, 18) hingedly connected to first and second opposite sides of the top panel respectively. The first and second side panels include first and second corner edges (C2, C1) respectively which are free of hinged connection to any other part of the carton. The first and second corner edges extend from the first and second sides of the top panel respectively. The carton includes a first severance line (70) extending from the first corner and a second severance line (78) extending from the second corner edge.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicles in a platoon includes a lead vehicle controller on a lead vehicle in the platoon and a following vehicle controller on a following vehicle in the platoon. The lead vehicle controller is adapted to determine a braking distance, based on an initial speed of the lead vehicle and a percent of full service brake application of the lead vehicle, and transmit a braking distance signal indicating the braking distance. The following vehicle controller is adapted to identify the braking distance upon receiving the braking distance signal, determine a percent of full service brake application of the following vehicle based on an initial speed of the following vehicle and the braking distance, and transmit a signal to a following vehicle service brake to apply the following vehicle service brake at the determined percent of full service brake application.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and system for monitoring a person in a structure having a first room and a second room. The system includes motion sensors and accelerometers to determine states and activities within the states, respectively. No visual images of any type are used to monitor the person. The person does not need to wear any type of equipment or component or necklace or bracelet or special clothing with any type of equipment or component in order to be monitored by the system.

Abstract: A vision system comprises at least one camera fixedly mounted to a structure and providing a view of an area surrounding a loading dock. The at least one camera communicates with at least one transmitter capable of transmitting a video signal from the at least one camera. A receiver is located in a vehicle such that the receiver receives the transmission of the video signal from the at least one camera in response to a docking event.

Abstract: A pumping system and a pumping method implemented with the pumping system. The pumping system comprises a solar panel performing a photovoltaic conversion based on an insolation level including a first insolation level and a second insolation level; a fuel reservoir containing a fuel in a liquid state; an electric motor; a pump rotatable by the electric motor to pump the fuel; and a first motor drive converting electrical energy supplied by the solar panel to drive the electric motor at a first speed when the insolation level is at the first insolation level and at a second speed, slower than the first speed, when the insolation level is at the second insolation level, thereby pumping the fuel at a first rate and a second rate, respectively.

Abstract: A snow water equivalent (SWE) networked array for installation on ground surface of variable surface geometry, and configured for measuring snow water equivalent (SWE) in remote snow fall accumulations. The SWE-measuring networked array includes a plurality of snow data collection modules (SDCM) connected together over a specified region of space, and each SDCM measuring the weight and temperature of snow over its local weight surface, and generating electrical signals representative of the weight and temperature of the snow load on the weigh surface.

Abstract: An Internet-based system for helping building management team members in significant ways: (i) predicting and forecasting when excessive snow load conditions present serious risks to a building's structure; (ii) receiving automatic notifications when snow load conditions are developing at specific regions on a building rooftop to warrant intervention and automated mitigation through the use of VR-guided snow removing robot systems; (iii) collecting various forms of intelligence about conditions developing on and about a building rooftop and storing such information with annotations for use in supporting intelligent decision making processes; (iv) quickly, efficiently and safely removing dangerous risk-presenting snow load conditions on a building rooftop while minimizing risk to human workers and increasing building operating efficiency; and (v) automatically removing excessive snow load conditions at specified regions on a building's rooftop.

Abstract: When a vehicle is determined to be traveling on a rough road, wherein increased air consumption is expected by vehicle components, a warning threshold that triggers an alert regarding excessive air consumption is increased. A duty cycle for an on-board air compressor is also increased to a level just below the increased warning threshold. In this manner, the air compressor duty cycle can be increased to meet the increased air pressure demand caused by the rough road conditions without triggering false positive alerts or distracting the driver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve the performance, safety, and efficiency of the gasification process. Embodiments of the invention improve downdraft gasification by improving upon the systems and methods for fuel preparation and by addressing gasifier bridging and channeling. Unique parts of the system include a unique hearth and grate design, a programmable logic controller and interface for managing the gasification process, an improved filtration system, a unique system for eliminating mist, a unique system for cooling gas, a unique combined flare, an integrated auger system, and a new system and method for sampling gas.

Abstract: Control boxes with segregated low- and high-voltage components are described. Service technicians (or others) requiring access to one set of components may do so without necessarily accessing the other set. Dual user interfaces may be utilized, further, with one interface being present at the control box and the other being remote therefrom.

Abstract: An approach for multi-stream data compression comprises receiving packets of a data stream, wherein the packets comprise respective packets of source data streams compressed on an aggregate basis and in a successive order. A one of the packets is decompressed, and a determination is made whether the packet has been received in a proper order of succession compared to the successive order of compression. When it is determined that the packet has been received in the proper order, the packet is stored at a next location in a decompressor cache. When it is determined that the packet has not been received in the proper order, the packet is stored at a location in the decompressor cache, allowing for subsequent storage of one or more further packets in the proper order of succession, wherein the further packets were processed via the compression process before, but were received after, the one packet.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery housing and electrochemical cells disposed in the battery housing in a stacked configuration. Elastic bladders are disposed between adjacent cells of a cell stack. The elastic bladders are configured to serve as a compression spring that provide a predetermined compression force to each cell while accommodating cell growth during use. The elastic bladders may include surface features such as strategically shaped and/or located protrusions or restrained regions that are configured to permit compliance and can be tuned to address the requirements of a specific application and permit application of varying stiffness characteristics across a surface of a cell.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modular fuel storage and transportation are provided. In an embodiment, a fuel storage system includes one or more fuel containers each supported by a fuel container support assembly. The fuel storage system may be mounted to a transportation device such as a vehicle or used in a stand-alone fashion. Each support assembly may include a plurality of detachable end support members such as end support members configured to support the end portions of the fuel container and side support members configured to support the body portion of the fuel container. Some of the end support members may include neck grooves such that when the end support members are coupled, the neck grooves form an enclosure around the neck portion of the fuel container. In an embodiment, the support assembly is configured to facilitate release of excess pressure in the fuel container.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a synthetic track to observation devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include determining a location range and a time range for a synthetic track to be created by a plurality of platforms. The method can further include determining an emission location and an emission time for each of the platforms of the plurality of platforms based, at least in part, on the location range and the time range. The method can include sending a set of data to each of the plurality of platforms, each respective set of data indicating the emission location and the emission time at which the respective platform is to generate the emission to create the synthetic track.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deicing a surface upon which ice accumulates, on for example an aircraft wing. The apparatus and method for the deicing module include an actuating component, a casing, and a movable member. The movable member breaks ice that has accumulated on a surface of the wing.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the reinforcement, repair, and strengthening of materials through the application of innovative, nanoparticle-based compositions to substrate materials, including but not limited to glass and ceramic. In some embodiments, the present invention produces a strengthened laminate. The compositions of this invention accomplish such ends by employing nanoparticles and use other components that work with the nanoparticles to enable advanced multifunctional properties in treated materials. This invention also enhances the initial tack and adhesion properties of materials to polymer coatings, materials to film, materials to other materials, and film to film. At least one embodiment concerns an improved process for making the compositions.