Abstract: A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.

Abstract: A modular electro-mechanical agent having a plurality of modules including mechanical and electrical components, that can be constructed to complete at least one pre-determined task and/or contribute in performing the at least one pre-determined task. The electro-mechanical agent can include extension modules and can be altered as per user preference to add, eliminate or modify any features of the agent for completing and/or participating in a plurality of pre-determined tasks.

Abstract: A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine with a liquid fuel/gaseous fuel burner. The burner may include a preheater to capture the thermal energy of the exhaust. The burner directs the preheated air to each burner head, where it enters a prechamber. Each burner head includes a fuel nozzle that directs liquid or gaseous fuel into the prechamber. The prechamber is fluidically connected to a combustion chamber via a prechamber nozzle that has a smaller opening than the prechamber. The burner head ignites the fuel air mixture in the prechamber with an ignitor located above or within the prechamber. The flame is initially lit as a diffusion flame in the prechamber. The flame is pushed out of the prechamber into the combustion chamber by an increased air flow rate. The liquid fuel from the nozzle now evaporates in the prechamber and forms a prevaporized flame in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Utility services related to executing services requiring trips of various lengths, and short-distance assistance to customers. Utility services can be delivered by semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles on various types of routes, and can be delivered economically. A network of utility vehicles provide the utility services, and can include a commonly-shared dispatch system.

Abstract: An external distraction apparatus for performing a craniofacial distraction is disclosed. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a stationary member. The stationary member may be configured to be affixed to a head of a patient. The external distraction apparatus may also comprise laterally disposed distractors. The laterally disposed distractors may extend inferiorly from the stationary member and be moveable relative to the stationary member. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a motor and controller. The motor may be powered with the controller to perform a craniofacial distraction in an automated fashion.

Abstract: A system and method for applying force to at least one device at least one force actuator including a processor accessing at least one description of the at least one device, the processor creating command information based at least on the at least one description, and a controller accessing the command information, the controller creating at least one motion command based on the command information, the controller issuing the at least one motion command, the motion command enabling the testing of the at least one device by controlling the at least one force actuator based on the at least one motion command.

Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus comprising a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a harness mount that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.

Abstract: An external distraction apparatus for performing a craniofacial distraction is disclosed. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a stationary member. The stationary member may be configured to be affixed to a head of a patient. The external distraction apparatus may also comprise laterally disposed distractors. The laterally disposed distractors may extend inferiorly from the stationary member and be moveable relative to the stationary member. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a motor and controller. The motor may be powered with the controller to perform a craniofacial distraction in an automated fashion.

Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.

Abstract: A swimming propulsion device. The swimming propulsion device includes a fuselage at least one propulsor pivotally connected to the fuselage, and in some embodiments, at least one stabilizer affixed to the fuselage. The device also includes a swimmer connection mechanism removably attached to the fuselage by a locking mechanism whereby the swimmer connection mechanism connects a swimmer to the device, and a control mechanism installed within the propulsor. A method for efficient swimming is also disclosed.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump and related-method are disclosed that includes a cam shaft having a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower that engages the plunger cam of the cam shaft, a tube receiver, a spring, a plunger, a position sensor, and a processor. The tube receiver receives a tube. The spring provides a bias. The plunger is biased toward the tube by the spring and the plunger is to the plunger-cam follower, such that expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates actuates the plunger away from the tube. The position sensor determines a position of the plunger and the processor estimates fluid flow within the tube utilizing the position of the plunger.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump is disclosed that includes a plunger, a spring, an actuator, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger actuates toward and away from a tube. The spring biases the plunger toward the tube. The actuator actuates the plunger away from the tube and mechanically engages and disengages from the plunger. The position sensor senses a position of the plunger. The processor receives the sensed position of the plunger and estimates fluid flow within the tube using a first position of the plunger when the actuator is engaged with the plunger and a second position of the plunger when the actuator is disengaged from the plunger.

Abstract: A system and method for applying force to at least one device by setting a target position of a pin with respect to the device, setting a target force that the pin will apply to the device, moving the pin towards the device, stopping the movement of the pin when the first of a force exerted on the device by the pin substantially equals the target force, or a position of the pin substantially equals the target position happens, and modifying the position of the pin to maintain the force of the pin on the device at substantially constant.

Abstract: A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, first and second pinch-valve cams, first and second pinch-valve cam followers, a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring-cam plunger, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower is configured to engage the plunger cam. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower where expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam to disengage the spring-biased plunger from the tube and a spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube. The position sensor is operatively coupled to the spring-biased plunger and is configured to determine a position of the spring-biased plunger. The processor estimates fluid flow using the position.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump having at least first, second, and third stages is provided. The peristaltic pump includes a plunger, inlet and outlet valves, a spring, and an actuator. The plunger actuates toward and away from a tube, the inlet valve is upstream of the plunger, the outlet valve is downstream of the plunger, the spring biases the plunger toward the tube, and the actuator mechanically engages and disengages from the plunger. In the first stage, the inlet valve is opened and the plunger is actuated from the tube, in the second stage, the inlet valve is closed, the plunger is actuated toward the tube, and the actuator is mechanically disengaged from the plunger, and in the third stage, the outlet valve is opened. In the third stage or in a fourth stage, the actuator actuates the plunger toward the tube to discharge fluid downstream past the outlet valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus comprising a plurality of interconnected segments that provide the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connected to one another and connectable to a harness mount that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments includes an actuator providing a portion of the movement capability, and each segment may operate independently of each of the other segments of the plurality of segments. One segment of the plurality of segments includes a non-backdriving clutch that transfers power from the actuator to an output interface of the segment when the actuator is actuated to generate movement of the output interface in either of two opposing directions and prevents backward transfer of power from the output interface to the actuator of the segment in both of the two opposing directions.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump, and related system method are provided. The peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, first and second pinch-valve cams, first and second pinch-valve cam followers, a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, and a spring-biased plunger. The first and second pinch-valve cams are coupled to the cam shaft. The first and second pinch-valve cam followers each engage the first and second pinch-valve cams, respectively. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower engages the plunger cam. The tube receiver is configured to receive a tube. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower such that the expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam follower towards the plunger and thereby disengages the spring-biased plunger from the tube. A spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube.

Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.