Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting an existing pipe carrying a fluid under pressure include using a cutting assembly having first and second linear cutters spaced by a lateral width. The cutters are moved from a retracted position to an extended position thereby to cut a coupon from the existing pipe. An insertion valve may then be installed on the existing pipe at the location where the coupon was removed. The insertion valve includes a valve element that is movable between open and closed positions. In some examples, the systems and methods include a check valve that moves from an open position to a closed position as the valve element moves from the closed position to the open position, thereby to facilitate repair and/or replacement of the insertion valve.

Abstract: Aspects and implementations of the present disclosure address shortcomings of existing technology by enabling autonomous vehicle simulations based on retro-reflection optical data. The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method that involves initiating a simulation of an environment of an autonomous driving vehicle, the simulation including a plurality of simulated objects, each having an identification of a material type of the respective object. The method can further involve accessing simulated reflection data based on the plurality of simulated objects and retro-reflectivity data for the material types of the simulated objects, and determining, using an autonomous vehicle control system for the autonomous vehicle, a driving path relative to the simulated objects, the driving path based on the simulated reflection data.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate including a core layer; a cavity formed in the core layer, wherein the cavity includes sidewalls plated with a conductive material; a prefabricated passive electronic component disposed in the cavity; and a cavity sidewall connection providing electrical continuity from the plated cavity sidewalls to a first surface of the substrate and to a second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An obscuring cover for covering at least a portion of a saw that includes a saw body and a saw blade attached to the saw body is provided. The obscuring cover includes an interior cavity defined by at least one inner surface of the obscuring cover. The interior cavity is configured to removably receive at least a portion of the saw body. At least one securing member is at least partially located at least one of internal to and adjacent to the interior cavity. The at least one securing member is configured to removably engage an exterior portion of the saw to removably connect the obscuring cover to the saw. At least a portion of the obscuring cover is configured to at least partially visually obstruct a subject's view of the saw blade when the obscuring cover is connected to the saw.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a well plate for 3D cell spheroid culture that facilitates 3D cell spheroid culture and enables cell adhesion and detachment by adjusting a surface roughness, a method for manufacturing the well plate for 3D cell spheroid culture, and a method for 3D cell spheroid culture using the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water responsive soft actuator using water responsive hydrogel whose volume hardly changes, and a method for driving the soft actuator. The water responsive soft actuator according to the invention includes polyisopropylacrylamide, and the polyisopropylacrylamide has an N-isopropylacrylamide monomer and water in a weight ratio of 87:13 to 95:5, wherein the water responsive soft actuator is driven by water absorption of the polyisopropylacrylamide.

Abstract: Improvements in an electrical ceiling box and adjustable mounting brace assembly is disclosed. The assembly is for securing an electrical fixture to a ceiling. The adjustable mounting brace includes sliding bars, a slider and end flanges. The ceiling box can be mounted onto the slider within the sliding bars. A plurality of screw holes in the slider allows installers to use screws of different sizes to affix the electrical fixture to the slider and the electrical box by sliding the ceiling box to change its position on the mounting brace.

Abstract: Improvements in an electrical ceiling box and adjustable mounting brace assembly is disclosed. The assembly is for securing an electrical fixture to a ceiling. The adjustable mounting brace includes sliding bars, a slider and end flanges. The ceiling box can be mounted onto the slider within the sliding bars. A plurality of screw holes in the slider allows installers to use screws of different sizes to affix the electrical fixture to the slider and the electrical box by sliding the ceiling box to change its position on the mounting brace.

Abstract: Metal-halogen flow battery cell, stack, system, and method, the stack including flow battery cells that each include an impermeable first electrode, an insert disposed on the first electrode and comprising sloped channels, a cell frame disposed around the insert and including a cell inlet manifold configured to provide a metal halide electrolyte and an opposing cell outlet manifold configured to receive the electrolyte, a porous second electrode disposed on the insert, such that sloped separation zones are formed between the second electrode and the channels, conductive connectors electrically connecting the first and second electrodes, and ribs disposed on the second electrode and extending substantially parallel to the channels of the insert. A depth of the channels increases as proximity to the cell outlet manifold increases.

Abstract: Improvements in a bracket is disclosed for mounting an electrical box onto a mounting bar. An electrical box can be preinstalled onto the bracket and clamped onto the mounting bar using wings. Bendable tabs can be articulated to secure the bracket and onto a rail. Fasteners are used to secure an electrical junction box onto the bracket and an additional fastener secures the sub assembly to the rail. The tabs can be unbent for removal. An installer can secure the bracket and electrical box using a screw and adjust the position of the bracket on the mounting bar. The bracket provides a low profile assemble that allows the bracket to be installed between the inner surfaces of stud walls.

Abstract: Improvements in a bracket is disclosed for mounting an electrical box onto a mounting bar. An electrical box can be preinstalled onto the bracket and clamped onto the mounting bar using wings. Wings on the bracket are biased towards a closed position and can be moved to an open position by squeezing tabs on said wings. A fastener hole on the central body of the bracket allows for installers to preinstall an electrical box onto said bracket. Thus, an installer can secure the bracket and electrical box using a screw and adjust the position of the bracket on the mounting bar.

Abstract: Metal-halogen flow battery cell, stack, system, and method, the stack including flow battery cells that each include an impermeable first electrode, an insert disposed on the first electrode and comprising sloped channels, a cell frame disposed around the insert and including a cell inlet manifold configured to provide a metal halide electrolyte and an opposing cell outlet manifold configured to receive the electrolyte, a porous second electrode disposed on the insert, such that sloped separation zones are formed between the second electrode and the channels, conductive connectors electrically connecting the first and second electrodes, and ribs disposed on the second electrode and extending substantially parallel to the channels of the insert. A depth of the channels increases as proximity to the cell outlet manifold increases.

Abstract: Improvements in a bracket is disclosed for mounting an electrical box onto a mounting bar. An electrical box can be preinstalled onto the bracket and clamped onto the mounting bar using wings. Bendable tabs can be articulated to secure the bracket and onto a rail. Fasteners are used to secure an electrical junction box onto the bracket and an additional fastener secures the sub assembly to the rail. The tabs can be unbent for removal. An installer can secure the bracket and electrical box using a screw and adjust the position of the bracket on the mounting bar. The bracket provides a low profile assemble that allows the bracket to be installed between the inner surfaces of stud walls.

Abstract: Improvements in a box and conduit hanger support that creates a unitary support bracket that allows for central mounting of an electrical junction box to said support bracket for suspended installations. Holes and slots located in extended portion of support bracket allowing for support of conduits connected to junction box using conduit clamps. In addition, bent tabs on perimeter of support bracket provide openings for a threaded rod to pass through, thus allowing for installation of support bracket in perpendicular alignment with ceiling. The features of this plate facilitate installation and maintenance of a hanging junction box, notably for applications with inadequate spacing between ceiling and floor.

Abstract: Improvements in a bracket is disclosed for mounting an electrical box onto a mounting bar. An electrical box can be preinstalled onto the bracket and clamped onto the mounting bar using wings. Wings on the bracket are biased towards a closed position and can be moved to an open position by squeezing tabs on said wings. A fastener hole on the central body of the bracket allows for installers to preinstall an electrical box onto said bracket. Thus, an installer can secure the bracket and electrical box using a screw and adjust the position of the bracket on the mounting bar.

Abstract: Improvements in a box and conduit hanger support that creates a unitary support bracket that allows for central mounting of an electrical junction box to said support bracket for suspended installations. Holes and slots located in extended portion of support bracket allowing for support of conduits connected to junction box using conduit clamps. In addition, bent tabs on perimeter of support bracket provide openings for a threaded rod to pass through, thus allowing for installation of support bracket in perpendicular alignment with ceiling. The features of this plate facilitate installation and maintenance of a hanging junction box, notably for applications with inadequate spacing between ceiling and floor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for aggregating and displaying syndicated news feeds, said system comprising a graphical user interface comprising at least a first and a second user spaces, a tag generator engine to generate relevant tags from the incoming content of each syndicated news feed, a processor operatively coupled to the graphical user interface and the tag generator engine for displaying on the first user space representations of the relevant tags as a function of said tags occurrences, said representations adapted to be dragged and dropped onto the second user space, said processor being further arranged to display in the second user space the content associated to a tag when its representation is dropped into said second user space.

Abstract: A proxy application is installed locally to an existing messaging client application. The proxy is transparent in that it requires no modification to messaging client code implementation. The proxy monitors the incoming and outgoing messaging client data, analyzes the data based on configurable criteria, and in response issues configurable control commands to a peripheral device. The peripheral device may also act as an input device: the proxy may monitor the peripheral input data, analyze the data based on configurable criteria, and in response insert new data into the messaging data stream. In addition, the proxy may monitor other information external to the messaging system, such as new email notifications, in order to trigger both device actions and messaging data stream insertions.