Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a support structure comprising at least one microphone sensor, and a first material layer disposed adjacent to the support structure, wherein a first layer of air is formed between the first material layer and the support structure, the first layer of air being adjacent to the microphone sensor. In certain aspects, multiple material layers may be used, each of the material layers forming a layer of air. For instance, the apparatus may also include a second material layer disposed adjacent to the first material layer, wherein a second layer of air is formed between the first material layer and the second material layer.

Abstract: An acoustic pressure reducer acoustically couples to and provides acoustic impedance to attenuate the acoustic box pressure of an acoustic system, such as a loudspeaker system. The pressure reducer may also allow an ambient pressure of the acoustic system to equalize with an ambient pressure of an external environment and the ambient pressure of the acoustic pressure reducer at a certain rate. The attenuation may allow for inexpensive acoustic sensors to be utilized within the pressure reducer to measure one or more acoustic properties of an attenuated acoustic pressure within the pressure reducer. An unattenuated acoustic pressure value of the acoustic system may be estimated using a known transfer function of the pressure reducer and the attenuated acoustic pressure values measured within. A controller coupled to the acoustic system may adjust one or more operating characteristics in response to estimating the unattenuated acoustic pressure.

Abstract: A trailer includes: a chassis defining a pair of cross members, each of the pair of cross members fixed in position with respect to the chassis; a floating coupling apparatus coupled to the chassis between a first cross member and a second cross member of the pair of cross members, the floating coupling apparatus including: a fixed rail suspended between the first cross member and the second cross member; and a floating rail extending from a position proximate to the first cross member to a position proximate to the second cross member, the floating rail configured to move relative to the fixed rail; and a displacement-sensing device configured to sense a load acting on the displacement-sensing device.

Abstract: A trailer includes: a chassis; a floating coupling apparatus coupled to the chassis, a portion of the floating coupling apparatus configured to move in a vertical direction relative to the chassis; a kingpin attached to the floating coupling apparatus; a displacement-sensing device positioned between an attachment portion on the chassis and an attachment portion on the floating coupling apparatus, the displacement-sensing device configured to sense a load acting on the displacement-sensing device; and a fluid system in fluid communication with the displacement-sensing device.

Abstract: An acoustic pressure reducer acoustically couples to and provides acoustic impedance to attenuate the acoustic box pressure of an acoustic system, such as a loudspeaker system. The pressure reducer may also allow an ambient pressure of the acoustic system to equalize with an ambient pressure of an external environment and the ambient pressure of the acoustic pressure reducer at a certain rate. The attenuation may allow for inexpensive acoustic sensors to be utilized within the pressure reducer to measure one or more acoustic properties of an attenuated acoustic pressure within the pressure reducer. An unattenuated acoustic pressure value of the acoustic system may be estimated using a known transfer function of the pressure reducer and the attenuated acoustic pressure values measured within. A controller coupled to the acoustic system may adjust one or more operating characteristics in response to estimating the unattenuated acoustic pressure.

Abstract: A trailer includes: a chassis; a floating coupling apparatus coupled to the chassis, a portion of the floating coupling apparatus configured to move in a vertical direction relative to the chassis; a kingpin attached to the floating coupling apparatus; a displacement-sensing device positioned between an attachment portion on the chassis and an attachment portion on the floating coupling apparatus, the displacement-sensing device configured to sense a load acting on the displacement-sensing device; and a fluid system in fluid communication with the displacement-sensing device.

Abstract: A method of collecting excrement of pets such as dogs and cats and disposing of it in an environmentally acceptable manner, The method involves the steps of: providing a number of receptacles for excrement in a household containing pets, a park and wherever else there are pets accompanied by humans. Receptacles containing excrement are periodically collected and transported to a facility for disposal. At the facility the excrement is disposed of by flushing it into the sewer where that is legal or by composting by means of worms, larvae, micro-organisms, heat or the combination of heat, wind and rain.

Abstract: The vacuum cleaner includes a hollow canister, one end of which is closed by a removable cap to permit removal of debris from within the interior. The canister is separated into two compartments, one defined by the first end and a hollow rigid conical filter disposed in the interior. The filter has a base adjacent to the inner wall throughout its extent and tapers toward the second end of the canister. The filter further has openings too small to allow debris such as cigarette and cigar butts, excrement of animals and birds and the like to pass therethrough but large enough to allow smaller debris to pass. A second compartment is defined by the filter and a relatively flat filter having openings smaller than that of the conical filter. Both filters extend across the interior such that all air which travels through the interior must pass through the filters. An intake hose admits debris-laden air into the first compartment and an exhaust discharges air from the second compartment.