Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to implement an endpoint command invocation system (“ECIS”). In some embodiments, ECIS can quickly dispatch a command to a large number of endpoint components, where the endpoint components are online. ECIS can receive an invocation of a command, which can include the command recipients. In some embodiments, ECIS determines that some of the command recipients are online, while some of the command recipients are offline. ECIS determines connections to the online command recipients based on a connection map, which is updated whenever an endpoint component opens a connection to ask for a command. ECIS can deliver the command to the online command recipients using the connections. ECIS can also deliver the command to dispatch queues corresponding to the offline command recipients, where the dispatch queues store the command as a pending command that can be delivered to their respective command recipients whenever they come online.

Abstract: There is provided a method for conducting a lecture. The method including transmitting to a plurality of learner devices signals for providing a graphical user interface that presents one or more requests to the leaners to provide structured feedback at a corresponding plurality of first content locations predefined to be interspersed among a plurality of ordered content segments and one or more requests to the learners to provide unstructured feedback, receiving the structured and unstructured feedback from at least one of the learners, upon analyzing the structured and unstructured feedback, estimating engagement metrics each measuring a degree of engagement of the learners at a corresponding time points during the lecture, and transmitting to a lecturer device, data for generating a visual representation of the engagement metrics, including a graph of the degree of engagement over the plurality of time points and visually mapped to the content segments.

Abstract: A solid-state thermal battery system is disclosed herein. The system includes a stationary thermal storage medium that can be charged by adding heat to the thermal storage medium. Actuated heat engines can be utilized to discharge the solid-state thermal battery, converting the heat stored in the thermal storage medium into electricity. The heat engines are actuated in a manner that reduces thermal gradients in the thermal storage medium to increase the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the thermal storage medium is contained in a main chamber of an insulated container. The heat engines are stored, when idle, in an ancillary chamber adjacent to the main chamber and moved into the main chamber by an actuation system to begin discharging the solid-state thermal battery. The heat engines follow a path during discharge to dynamically move between regions of the thermal storage medium to reduce thermal gradients induced therein.

Abstract: A blow molded multilayer article with a hollow body defined by a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface has an axial color gradient. The wall has multiple layers and at least one layer optionally contains an effect pigment and/or an opacifying pigment.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a novel execution engine integration framework for a BFT SMR system. With this framework, execution engines for services can be integrated into the BFT SMR system in a generic manner, thereby avoiding the need to implement a custom request handling code for each individual service/execution engine.

Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine includes spark-igniting gaseous hydrogen fuel and air, and propagating combustion gases of the spark-ignited mixture outwardly from a spark gap. The propagating combustion gases are impinged upon a cone surface of a piston so as to limit a flame area of the propagating combustion gases. Additional gaseous hydrogen fuel and air is ignited in the combustion cylinder by way of the propagating combustion gases to urge a piston toward a bottom-dead-center position.

Abstract: An appliance is provided including a fluid flow path and a filter receiving portion. The filter receiving portion comprises an installation assistance feature and is configured to receive a water filter such that it is fluidly connected to the flow path. One or more water filter sensors are included that sense when the water filter is in a first position relative to the filter receiving portion so as to enable initiation of an installation procedure to cause the water filter to move to the installed position. The installation procedure utilizes no the installation assistance feature. At least one controller is provided that receives an indication that the water filter is in a first position and causes, based on the indication, activation of the installation assistance feature to reposition the water filter from the first position towards the installed position.

Abstract: A tooling assembly suitable for use in infiltrating a fibrous preform comprises a first perforated plate having an outer surface and an oppositely disposed inner surface defining a plate thickness therebetween, and a plurality of tapered holes extending through the thickness. Each hole of the plurality of tapered holes has a first diameter at the outer surface and a second diameter at the inner surface, and the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

Abstract: A system may include a toy character, a viewing device, and system software. The viewing device may include a camera. The toy character may include a plurality of component parts and a plurality of augmented reality markers. At least two component parts of the plurality of component parts may each include at least one augmented reality marker of the plurality of augmented reality markers. The system software may be configured to validate a marker configuration defined by the plurality of augmented reality markers of the toy character, generate a single composite marker when the marker configuration is validated, track the toy character via the single composite marker, unlock features associated with the validated marker configuration, register the toy character to a user when the marker configuration is validated, and authorize the user to join a game upon registration of the toy character.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing an edge of a region includes at least one distance sensor configured to detect a plurality of distances of objects along a plurality of adjacent scan lines. A controller is in communication with the at least one distance sensor and is configured to determine a location of an edge of a region within the plurality of adjacent scan lines. The controller includes a comparator module configured to compare values corresponding to the detected plurality of distances, and an identification module configured to identify the location of the edge of the region according to the compared values. In one example, the values corresponding to the detected plurality of distances include couplets of standard deviations that are analyzed and selected to identify the location of the edge.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a channel structure extending between a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. Further, a gate electrode is arranged directly over the channel structures, and an upper interconnect contact is arranged over and coupled to the gate electrode. A backside contact is arranged below and coupled to the first source/drain region. The backside contact has a width that decreases from a bottommost surface of the backside contact to a topmost surface of the backside contact.

Abstract: There is provided a service valve for use at an irrigation sprinkler. The service valve enables water flow into the sprinkler to be controlled from above a buried irrigation sprinkler. The service valve enables maintenance of internal components of the sprinkler without having to turn off a service valve that is remotely located from the sprinkler.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method detect and act upon operator reliance to vehicle alerts. The system and method include receiving user profile data of an operator that includes a baseline of at least one driving activity aided by activation of an alert from a feature of an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). The system and method may include receiving historical ADAS alert frequency data including a history of at least one driving activity aided by activation of the alert from the ADAS feature. The system and method may compare the user profile data with the historical ADAS alert frequency data, determine a reliance level based upon the comparing, and set at least a portion of an operator profile associated with the operator with the reliance level. As a result, a risk averse driver, and/or proper responsiveness to vehicle alerts may be rewarded with insurance-cost savings, such as increased discounts.

Abstract: An engine system includes a cylinder block, and a cylinder head attached to the cylinder block and including exhaust ports. Exhaust collection passages are formed in the cylinder head and each fluidly connect to one of the exhaust ports. An unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) emissions mitigation conduit fluidly connects to the exhaust ports to route UHC to an oxidation catalyst or for recirculation.

Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine system includes conveying hydrogen fuel and hydrocarbon fuel into a cylinder in a gaseous fuel engine for combustion. Operating a gaseous fuel engine system further includes receiving an increased engine power output request, boosting a power output of the gaseous fuel engine by varying a ratio of the hydrogen fuel and the hydrocarbon fuel combusted in the cylinder, and varying an in-cylinder combustion parameter based on the varying a ratio. Perturbation to a performance profile of the gaseous fuel engine is thereby limited. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining, by a processor, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) position relative to at least one flight boundary; and effecting, by the processor, at least one flight limitation of a UAS if the determined UAS position crosses the at least one flight boundary.

Abstract: A coated fiber structure for use in a ceramic matrix composite comprises a fiber and a fiber coating arrangement applied to and at least partially circumscribing the fiber. The fiber coating arrangement comprises a first boron nitride layer comprising exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride, a silicon carbide layer extending at least partially coaxially with and in direct contact with the first boron nitride layer, and a second boron nitride layer radially opposite the silicon carbide layer, with respect to the first boron nitride layer.

Abstract: A planar structure for a planar radio frequency filter is configured to block the transmission of electromagnetic waves in at least two independent radio frequency bands, the planar structure comprising a periodic array of multipole inclusions, wherein the periodic array of multipole inclusions comprises a plurality of primary multipole inclusions having a plurality of primary poles to generate a lower frequency resonance and a plurality of secondary poles to generate a higher frequency resonance, wherein the periodic array of multipoles are arranged with arms of the plurality of primary poles overlapping with and substantially parallel to adjacent arms of the plurality of primary poles of adjacent multipole inclusions. The array of multipole inclusions may include a plurality of secondary multipole inclusions located between the plurality of primary multipole inclusions to tune the higher frequency resonance.