Abstract: A system and method of igniting a coal air-fuel mixture, including a burner having a burner tube operable to carry a flowing mixture of fuel and air to a furnace for combustion therein and a first flow directing device disposed within the tube, operable to direct a first portion of the flowing fuel and air mixture to a location in the burner tube. The system also includes a laser igniter within the burner tube, the laser igniter including a laser tube having a first end with a laser light input and a second end with a light output, and a laser light source operably coupled to the laser light input. The laser light source, including a laser. The laser ignitor directing photons from the light output at the location in the burner tube to ignite at least a part of the first portion of the fuel.

Abstract: A system and method of igniting a coal air-fuel mixture, including a burner having a burner tube operable to carry a flowing mixture of fuel and air to a furnace for combustion therein and a first flow directing device disposed within the tube, operable to direct a first portion of the flowing fuel and air mixture to a location in the burner tube. The system also includes a laser igniter within the burner tube, the laser igniter including a laser tube having a first end with a laser light input and a second end with a light output, and a laser light source operably coupled to the laser light input. The laser light source, including a laser. The laser ignitor directing photons from the light output at the location in the burner tube to ignite at least a part of the first portion of the fuel.

Abstract: The present disclosure addresses systems, media, and methods of predicting a remaining useful life of a water heater storage tank included in a water heating system. To predict the remaining useful life of the water heater storage tank, algorithmic calibration processes can be used to determine an anodic current range for a corrosive current flowing between the water heater storage tank and an anode rod inserted into the water heater storage tank. Respective values for the corrosive current can be measured, and a rate of reduction of the corrosive current can be calculated based on the respective measured values for the corrosive current. An estimate of a remaining useful life of the water heater storage tank can be made, and an alert indicative thereof can be transmitted based, at least in part, on the calculated rate of reduction of the corrosive current.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods, devices, and systems of transporting a payload using a robotic vehicle. Various embodiments may include determining whether a payload is securely held by the robotic vehicle, and taking a corrective action in response to determining that the payload is not securely held by the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods, devices, and systems of transporting a payload using a robotic vehicle. The methods may determine whether a payload has separated from the robotic vehicle and take a corrective action in response to determining that the payload is not securely held by the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods for managing operation of a robotic vehicle. A robotic vehicle processor may receive supplemental delivery information from an Internet of Things (IoT) device of a delivery area. The robotic vehicle processor may determine a specific delivery location within the delivery area based on the supplemental delivery information. The robotic vehicle processor may maneuver the robotic vehicle to the specific delivery location to deliver a package at the specific delivery location.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods, devices, and systems of transporting a payload using a robotic vehicle. The methods may determine whether a payload has separated from the robotic vehicle and take a corrective action in response to determining that the payload is not securely held by the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods, devices, and systems of transporting a payload using a robotic vehicle. Various embodiments may include determining whether a payload is securely held by the robotic vehicle, and taking a corrective action in response to determining that the payload is not securely held by the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods operating a virtual reality (VR) system. The VR system can have a head mounted device (HMD) to provide alerts based on notifications from surrounding internet of things (IoT) devices. The method can include storing, in a memory, one or more sound patterns, each sound pattern of the one or more sound patterns being associated with one of a critical event and a non-critical event. The method can include receiving, at a processor, a notification from a home device of one or more of home devices, the notification indicating a status change of the home device. The method can include determining that the notification corresponds to a critical event based on the one or more sound patterns. The method can include providing a critical message via the HMD of the VR system indicating that the critical event has occurred.