Abstract: A connector for use in a negative pressure coolant system is disclosed. The connector connects coolant system circulating to an electrical component thereby allowing the coolant to circulate through the electrical component. The connector is made up of two components, a component side connector and a pump side connector, and can be in three positions: disengaged, semi-engaged and fully-engaged. An electrical component can be drained of its coolant while the connector is shifted from the fully-engaged position, to the semi-engaged position and to the disengaged position. This can be accomplished without shutting down the negative pressure coolant system, thus allowing a particular electrical component to be disconnected without affecting the cooling efficiency of other electrical components connected to the system. Because the coolant is drained, it will not spill on the electrical component and cause damage.

Abstract: A rotor hub and method to dampen a force exerted on a rotor hub by a rotor blade during flight. The rotor hub including a central member rotatably coupled to a rotor mast, a blade grip rigidly attached to a blade and movably coupled to the central member, and an adjustable damper operably associated with the blade grip. The method includes damping the force exerted on the rotor hub with the adjustable damper and selectively adjusting the adjustable damper between a first spring rate and a second spring rate.

Abstract: A visual tracking and mapping system builds panoramic images in a handheld device equipped with optical sensor, orientation sensors, and visual display. The system includes an image acquirer for obtaining image data from the optical sensor of the device, an orientation detector for interpreting the data captured by the orientation sensors of the device, an orientation tracker for tracking the orientation of the device, and a display arranged to display image data generated by said tracker to a user.

Abstract: In a food preparation appliance and method for preparing food, an outer bowl has a bottom and a peripheral sidewall. An inner bowl is disposed at least in part within the outer bowl in spaced relationship therewith such that a gap is defined between the inner and outer bowls. The inner bowl has an interior space in which food is contained. A steam generator is in fluid communication with the gap between the inner bowl and the outer bowl, and is operable to deliver steam into the gap between the inner bowl and the outer bowl. The inner bowl and the outer bowl are configured relative to each other to define a tortuous flow path for steam to flow from the gap between the inner and outer bowls into the interior space of the inner bowl.

Abstract: A connector for use in a negative pressure coolant system is disclosed. The connector connects coolant system circulating to an electrical component thereby allowing the coolant to circulate through the electrical component. The connector is made up of two components, a component side connector and a pump side connector, and can be in three positions: disengaged, semi-engaged and fully-engaged. An electrical component can be drained of its coolant while the connector is shifted from the fully-engaged position, to the semi-engaged position and to the disengaged position. This can be accomplished without shutting down the negative pressure coolant system, thus allowing a particular electrical component to be disconnected without affecting the cooling efficiency of other electrical components connected to the system. Because the coolant is drained, it will not spill on the electrical component and cause damage.

Abstract: A battery is provided that includes a battery monitoring system integrated within the battery. The battery monitoring system includes a diagnostic system configured to monitor or store at least one parameter of the battery. Additionally, the battery monitoring system also includes a receiver communicatively coupled to the diagnostic system. Furthermore, the battery monitoring system includes a transmitter communicatively coupled to the diagnostic system and configured to activate upon receipt of a first wireless signal by the receiver and to transmit a second wireless signal indicative of the at least one parameter of the battery.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery monitoring system for performing a battery self test. The battery monitoring system is integrated into the battery and configured to monitor a first health of the battery. The battery monitoring system is configured to receive an input signal from a wired interface or a wireless interface. The input signal is configured to instruct the battery monitoring system to provide feedback regarding the first health of the battery and/or a second health of the battery monitoring system. The wired interface consists of a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery.

Abstract: A battery monitoring network is provided that includes a battery. The battery monitoring network also includes a battery monitoring system integrated within the battery. The battery monitoring system includes a diagnostic system configured to monitor or to store one or more battery parameters of the battery. Additionally, the battery monitoring system includes a transmitter configured to transmit data indicative of the one or more battery parameters of the battery. Furthermore, battery monitoring network includes a cloud-based computing network having a remote server configured to receive the data indicative of the one or more battery parameters of the battery. Moreover, the cloud-based computing network is configured to interface with a plurality of battery monitoring systems, and includes an internet connection.

Abstract: A portable electronic device for displaying information from a vehicle having a first transceiver to a user carrying the portable electronic device includes a second transceiver. The portable electronic device uses the second transceiver to conduct bi-directional communications with the vehicle systems. The portable electronic device may be a key-fob and include a display for displaying the information from the vehicle.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw can include a housing and a motor disposed in the housing. A blade retaining mechanism can receive a saw blade. A drive mechanism can translate rotational motion of the motor into reciprocating motion of the blade retaining mechanism. A clamp assembly can include first and second shoes that are coupled to the housing. The first shoe can have a first shoe body that includes a first material facing surface. The second shoe can include a second material facing surface that opposes the first material facing surface and that defines a clamping distance therebetween. At least one of the first and second shoes is selectively adjustable relative to the housing, such that the clamping distance can be altered. One of the first or second shoe bodies can have a third material facing surface that comprises an arcuate section defining a radius.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to mirror assemblies for vehicles and in particular to interior rearview mirror assemblies having touch screen inputs corresponding to elements representing a symbol. The symbols are located behind a reflective element and not visible until activated by selection of the corresponding input or other means.

Abstract: A power tool constructed in accordance to one example of the present teachings can include a housing having a handle and body portion. A motor can be disposed in the body portion and a drive spindle drivingly connected to the motor. A chuck can comprise a chuck spindle that supports a plurality of chuck jaws. A first sleeve can rotationally communicate with the chuck jaws to move the chuck jaws between a clamping position and a non-clamping position. An indicator mechanism can be disposed on the chuck having a first and second visual indicator. The indicator mechanism can move from a first position to a second position upon rotation of the first sleeve to a location that corresponds to a predetermined clamping force attained by the chuck jaws.

Abstract: Actuator apparatus for spray containers and methods of manufacturing actuator apparatus for spray containers. The actuator apparatus includes a cover having a restraint structure, e.g., locatable below an aperture portion of a push button of a base, to restrict the push button from depression by a user when the actuator apparatus is in a locked position.

Abstract: A system for identifying a type of a power tool, the system comprising: a power tool having an electric motor; and a usage attachment configured to couple to the power tool, the usage attachment having a vibration sensor that generates vibration data when the power tool vibrates, a memory that stores the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor, and an identification subsystem that receives the vibration data from the memory, and identifies the type of the power tool by comparing the received vibration data to predetermined vibration data of a known type of power tool.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to mirror assemblies for vehicles and in particular to interior rearview minor assemblies having touch screen inputs corresponding to elements representing a symbol. The symbols are located behind a reflective element and not visible until activated by selection of the corresponding input or other means.

Abstract: A system for installing or removing a component of a nuclear reactor, such as a CRDM, includes a riser apparatus having a lift assembly structured to hold and support the component and a first drive assembly coupled to the lift assembly and structured to selectively move the lift assembly and the component along a length of the riser apparatus, and a transition cart movable along an under vessel area of the nuclear reactor and having a pivot mechanism, wherein the riser apparatus is selectively engageable with the pivot mechanism and the pivot mechanism is structured to selectively rotate the riser apparatus from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The riser apparatus may also include a second drive assembly structured to selectively move the riser apparatus relative to the transition cart in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the riser apparatus.

Abstract: A power tool has a mechanism for forcing a battery pack at least partially from a cavity that receives a battery pack. A biasing member is in the cavity. A member for retaining the biasing member is also in the cavity. The biasing member forces the battery pack at least partially from the cavity. When the battery pack is locked onto the frame, the biasing member is in a compressed condition and when the battery pack is an unlocked position, the biasing member forces the battery pack at least partially from the frame.

Abstract: A steel product or thin steel cast strip including, by weight, less than 0.25% carbon, between 0.20 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, less than 0.01% aluminum, niobium between 0.01% and 0.20%, and vanadium between 0.01% and 0.20%. The steel product may have a tensile strength of between 550 and 600 MPa after age hardening at a peak temperature of between 700 and 750° C.