Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing physical characteristics of a battery include arrangements of two or more transducers coupled to the battery. A control module controls one or more of the two or more transducers to transmit acoustic signals through at least a portion of the battery, and one or more of the two or more transducers to receive response acoustic signals. Distribution of physical properties of the battery is determined based at least on the transmitted acoustic signals and the response acoustic signals.

Abstract: A crop prediction system performs various machine learning operations to predict crop production and to identify a set of farming operations that, if performed, optimize crop production. The crop prediction system uses crop prediction models trained using various machine learning operations based on geographic and agronomic information. Responsive to receiving a request from a grower, the crop prediction system can access information representation of a portion of land corresponding to the request, such as the location of the land and corresponding weather conditions and soil composition. The crop prediction system applies one or more crop prediction models to the access information to predict a crop production and identify an optimized set of farming operations for the grower to perform.

Abstract: A memory controller stores each of a plurality of data blocks encoded by error correction code (ECC) across multiple channels of a redundant memory system. Based on receiving, from the memory system, channel data of a fetch operation requesting a data block, the memory controller decodes the channel data and concurrently generates a predicted channel mark based on tests of channel-induced syndromes generated from the channel data. The predicted channel mark identifies a marked channel among the multiple channels as a likely source of data errors. The memory controller determines whether the decoding detects an uncorrectable error in the channel data and, based on determining the decoding detects an uncorrectable error in the channel data, re-reads channel data corresponding to the data block and corrects the re-read channel data by excluding, from decoding, channel data received from the marked channel.

Abstract: A slot milling sequence includes a plurality of material removal processes or operations. Each of the material removal operations includes utilization of an end mill tool. Some of the material removal operations utilize trochoidal tool paths, whereas other material removal processes utilize one or more profile cuts. Some material removal operations that utilize profile cuts remove material from both sides of the cut in a single pass, whereas other material removal operations remove material from one side of the cut via a first pass of the end mill tool and remove material from the opposing side of the cut via a second pass of the end mill tool.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system that generates data describing physical surroundings of vehicles during operation. Individual vehicles carry sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to one or both of the physical surroundings of the vehicles and/or the operation of the vehicles. Based on the generated output signals, the physical surroundings in which the first vehicle is operating are derived, such as, for example, the speeds of different nearby vehicles, and their distances to each other.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to generate and provide timely vehicle event information for a fleet of vehicles including at least a first vehicle. Individual vehicles detect vehicle events and transmit related information to a remote computing server. The remote computing server determines whether the detected vehicles events are relevant to add to a set of vehicle events scenarios. For example, if a particular vehicle event is duplicative of a previous vehicle event, if may not need to be added. The newest vehicles events may be reported at certain intervals, in particular if they are indicative of a trend.

Abstract: An encapsulated gear train gear train for a machine comprising a support frame, which is non-encasing, an input shaft rotatably mounted in the support frame, an output shaft rotatably mounted in the support frame, gears configured to operatively connect the input shaft with the output shaft, and an encasement configured to encapsulate the input shaft, the output shaft, the gears, and at least a portion of the support frame, wherein the support frame is configured to be mounted on a structure of the machine such that the support frame does not apply any loads onto the encasement.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system that generates data describing physical surroundings of vehicles during operation. Individual vehicles carry sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to one or both of the physical surroundings of the vehicles and/or the operation of the vehicles. Based on the generated output signals, the physical surroundings in which the first vehicle is operating are derived, such as, for example, the speeds of different nearby vehicles, and their distances to each other.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a device and system for verifying the content of items in a bin within a materials handling facility. In some implementations, a bin content verification apparatus may pass by one or more bins and capture images of those bins. The images may be processed to determine whether the content included in the bins has changed since the last time images of the bins were captured. A determination may also be made as to whether a change to the bin content was expected and, if so, if the determined change corresponds with the expected change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an extract derived from sugar cane, the process comprising: i) mixing a sugar cane derived product with ethanol to produce an extraction mixture comprising at least about 50% v/v ethanol; ii) allowing a precipitate to form in the extraction mixture; iii) removing the precipitate from the extraction mixture to obtain a supernatant; and iv) removing ethanol from the supernatant to produce the extract derived from sugar cane. The present invention further relates to extracts produced according to the process of the invention. The invention also relates to the use of such extracts in a method of lowering the available calorific value of a food or beverage, in treating or preventing disease, and as a nutritional supplement, dietary supplement, sports nutrition product, food coating or pharmaceutical product.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to generate and provide timely vehicle event information for a fleet of vehicles including at least a first vehicle. Individual vehicles detect vehicle events and transmit related information to a remote computing server. The remote computing server determines whether the detected vehicles events are relevant to add to a set of vehicle events scenarios. For example, if a particular vehicle event is duplicative of a previous vehicle event, if may not need to be added. The newest vehicles events may be reported at certain intervals, in particular if they are indicative of a trend.

Abstract: A cable connector (100-900) for connecting an electrical cable, the electrical cable including a cable conductor having a terminal end portion, the terminal end portion having an end face, includes an electrically conductive connector body (110), a conductor bore (102) in the connector body (110), a securing mechanism, and a contact mechanism (141). The connector bore (102) defines a conductor bore axis and is configured to receive the terminal end portion of the cable conductor along the conductor bore axis. The securing mechanism is operable to clamp onto the terminal end portion. The contact mechanism (141) includes a pressure member (170A, 170B), an electrical contact surface, and a drive mechanism (151). The drive mechanism (151) is selectively operable to drive the pressure member (170A, 170B) to force the electrical contact surface against the end face of the cable conductor.

Abstract: An encapsulated gear train gear train for a machine comprising a support frame, which is non-encasing, an input shaft rotatably mounted in the support frame, an output shaft rotatably mounted in the support frame, gears configured to operatively connect the input shaft with the output shaft, and an encasement configured to encapsulate the input shaft, the output shaft, the gears, and at least a portion of the support frame, wherein the support frame is configured to be mounted on a structure of the machine such that the support frame does not apply any loads onto the encasement.

Abstract: A fluid phase change thermal management cooling method and apparatus for removing heat from a source of heat, the method comprising the steps of: filling a cooling chamber with volume V1 of a fluid phase change thermal management cooling apparatus with a fluid in its liquid phase; increasing the volume of the cooling chamber to volume V2 to va-pourise a portion of the fluid from its liquid phase to its vapour phase such that there is substantially only the fluid in its liquid phase and fluid in its vapour phase within the volume V2; allowing a dwell time that provides for at least some of the fluid in its liquid phase that has contact with a heated surface of the cooling chamber to be vaporised; and repeating the steps where timing of the steps and dwell time between steps is selected to control heat build-up within selected limits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an extract derived from sugar cane, the process comprising: i) mixing a sugar cane derived product with ethanol to produce an extraction mixture comprising at least about 50% v/v ethanol; ii) allowing a precipitate to form in the extraction mixture; iii) removing the precipitate from the extraction mixture to obtain a supernatant; and iv) removing ethanol from the supernatant to produce the extract derived from sugar cane. The present invention further relates to extracts produced according to the process of the invention. The invention also relates to the use of such extracts in a method of lowering the available calorific value of a food or beverage, in treating or preventing disease, and as a nutritional supplement, dietary supplement, sports nutrition product, food coating or pharmaceutical product.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a device and system for verifying the content of items in a bin within a materials handling facility. In some implementations, a bin content verification apparatus may pass by one or more bins and capture images of those bins. The images may be processed to determine whether the content included in the bins has changed since the last time images of the bins were captured. A determination may also be made as to whether a change to the bin content was expected and, if so, if the determined change corresponds with the expected change.

Abstract: Described is an imaging component for use by an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) for object detection. As described, the imaging component includes one or more cameras that are configured to obtain images of a scene using visible light that are converted into a depth map (e.g., stereo image) and one or more other cameras that are configured to form images, or thermograms, of the scene using infrared radiation (“IR”). The depth information and thermal information are combined to form a representation of the scene based on both depth and thermal information.

Abstract: A configurable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include swappable components that may be selectable to configure a customized UAV just prior to deployment of the UAV that is configured to deliver a package to a destination. The UAV may include a plurality of ports that may accept swappable components. The ports may be coupled to a logic board to enable control of the swappable components. The ports and swappable components may enable quick replacement of a malfunctioning components, such as an image sensor, which may avoid subjecting a UAV to significant downtime for service. The malfunctioning component may then be serviced after the UAV is readied for a subsequent flight or deployed on a subsequent flight.

Abstract: A method of fabricating microstructures of polar elastomers includes coating a substrate with a dielectric material including a polar elastomer, coating the dielectric material with a photoresist, exposing the photoresist to ultraviolet (UV) light through a photomask to define a pattern on the photoresist, developing the photoresist to form the pattern on the photoresist, etching the dielectric material to transfer the pattern from the photoresist to the dielectric material, and removing the photoresist from the patterned dielectric material.

Abstract: A bail for forming a mechanical and electrical connection includes an inboard section and an outboard section. The inboard section includes an elongate, electrically conductive multi-strand conductor. The outboard section includes an elongate, electrically conductive solid rod conductor electrically connected to the multi-strand conductor.