Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal control system for controlling the temperature of a fluid. In particular, the invention relates to a control system having at least two heating elements, at least one of which is used for directly or indirectly heating a fluid, and at least one of which is used for heating a thermal probe used to determine the temperature of the fluid. The heating systems are controlled by at least one feedback controller.

Abstract: Line capture devices for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a line capture device body having a line slot with an open end and a closed end. A retainer is positioned proximate to the line slot and has a rotor with a plurality of rotor arms positioned to extend at least partially across the line slot as the rotor rotates relative to the body. A joint rotatably couples the rotor to the body, and a ratchet device is operably coupled to the rotor to allow the rotor to rotate in a first direction and at least restrict the rotor arm from rotating in a second direction opposite the first. In other embodiments, the retainer can include other arrangements, for example, one or more wire-shaped elements.

Abstract: A saw apparatus includes a guide bar, a chain driver, and an endless cutting chain trained about the guide bar and the chain driver. The guide bar includes a first chain retention feature along at least a portion of its periphery, and the cutting chain includes a second chain retention feature configured to interact with the first chain retention feature such that movement of the second chain retention feature away from the guide bar is restricted. A timber-working device includes a frame, at least one pair of arms pivotally attached to the frame and configured to be controlled to grasp at least one tree, and the saw apparatus mounted to the frame.

Abstract: Clamping device includes a clamp frame that is configured to move between an open configuration, in which the clamp frame is configured to receive at least one longitudinal element, and a closed configuration, in which the clamp frame wraps around and holds the at least one longitudinal element. The clamp frame includes a coupling end having an inner surface and a coupling base having an outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces have profiles that form a locked engagement to hold the clamp frame in the closed configuration. The clamping device also includes a secondary locking mechanism that secures the coupling end and the coupling base to each other. The secondary locking mechanism is activated after the clamp frame is held in the closed configuration by the locked engagement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag reader. The methods comprise: performing tag read operations by the tag reader to read tags; processing first information received from the read tags to identify which tags are newly detected tags; adding entries for the newly detected tags in a local list stored in a local memory of the tag reader; communicating second information at least identifying the newly detected tags from the tag reader to a remote computing device; receiving, by the tag reader, feedback information generated by the remote computing device which specifies at least a count of entries added to a remote list stored in a remote datastore based on the second information; and selectively outputting a notification from the tag reader based on the value of the count.

Abstract: A first wireless communication device (UE device) associated with a certain user (or included in a specified set/group of UE devices) may establish a first communication link with an accessory device according to a short-range radio access technology, and transmit link (pairing) information associated with the first communication link to a server, such as a cloud-based server. The server may share this (first) link information with other UE devices associated with the same user (or belonging to the same specified group of UE devices as the first UE device). Link information associated with the other UE devices (i.e. second link information) may equally be shared with the accessory device, and the other UE devices and accessory device may use the first link information and second link information in establishing respective communication links between any of the other UE devices and the accessory device without having to undergo a pairing procedure.

Abstract: A memory module includes a substrate, plural memory devices, and a buffer. The plural memory devices are organized into at least one rank, each memory device having plural banks. The buffer includes a primary interface for communicating with a memory controller and a secondary interface coupled to the plural memory devices. For each bank of each rank of memory devices, the buffer includes data buffer circuitry and address buffer circuitry. The data buffer circuitry includes first storage to store write data transferred during a bank cycle interval (tRR). The address buffer circuitry includes second storage to store address information corresponding to the data stored in the first storage.

Abstract: A composition comprising, a rubber component selected from the group consisting of a rubber polymer, a synthetic rubber polymer, and combinations thereof; and an alkylphenol resin which is a reaction product of: at least one phenolic monomer selected from the group consisting of phenol, cresol, resorcinol, xylenol, ethyl phenol, alkylresorcinols, and combinations thereof; and at least one alkyl aldehyde having from 5 to 12 carbon atom alkyl groups, is disclosed. The composition can be used to prepare articles of manufacture such as tires, tire treads, tire shoulders, tire sidewalls, rubber belts, and rubber hoses.

Abstract: A water heater fitting for draining water from a water heater that has a threaded heating element opening configured to threadably receive and support a heating element. The water heater fitting includes a body having opposite first and second ends. The body defines a fluid passage extending between and opening out of the first and second ends. The body includes a water heater connector defining the first end. The water heater connector includes a male threaded portion configured to be threadably received in the threaded heating element opening to form a threaded connection with the threaded heating element opening when the heating element is removed from the threaded heating element opening for draining water out of the water heater.

Abstract: A DPE memristor crossbar array system includes a plurality of partitioned memristor crossbar arrays. Each of the plurality of partitioned memristor crossbar arrays includes a primary memristor crossbar array and a redundant memristor crossbar array. The redundant memristor crossbar array includes values that are mathematically related to values within the primary memristor crossbar array. In addition, the plurality of partitioned memristor crossbar arrays includes a block of shared analog circuits coupled to the plurality of partitioned memristor crossbar arrays. The block of shared analog circuits is to determine a dot product value of voltage values generated by at least one partitioned memristor crossbar array of the plurality of partitioned memristor crossbar arrays.

Abstract: Rheological measurement systems for use with systems including pressurized polymer melts and/or other viscous materials are described. In one embodiment, a rheometer is connected to an associated system with a bent, curved, or bendable tube to permit the rheometer to measure rheological properties in locations where the rheometer could not otherwise be located due to the presence of obstructions. Embodiments including rigid straight tubes for connecting a rheometer to an associated system are also described. In another embodiment, a flow-through rheometer is connected to an industry standard ½-20 thermowell aperture that is typically used for attaching temperature and pressure probes to a vessel containing a viscous material such as an extruder or injection molding system.

Abstract: A compressor assembly having a high velocity muffler system which produces a particle-free compressor pump feed while reducing noise output from the compressor assembly during compressing operations. The high velocity muffler system is maintenance-free and comprises an inertia filter. The compressor assembly uses a method for producing a compressor pump feed and reducing noise during compressing operations by processing a gas through the high velocity muffler system which has an inertia filter and a muffler chamber to produce a compressor pump feed which can be compressed by a pump assembly.

Abstract: In an approach to optimized interactive communications timing from computing devices, a set of system defaults is received. A verbal communications for an intended recipient is received. An activity data for the intended recipient is received. A criticality score of the verbal communication is determined based on the set of system defaults. An availability score for the intended recipient is determined based on the set of system defaults and the activity data. An optimal time to initiate verbal communications with the intended recipient is determined wherein the optimal time to initiate verbal communications occurs when the criticality score exceeds the availability score. The verbal communication for the intended recipient is initiated at the optimal time.

Abstract: An expandable air filter. The air filter including a filter media assembly, an outer frame assembly, and at least one support member. The filter media assembly defines opposing, first and second major faces and a perimeter. The outer frame assembly is arranged about the perimeter. The support member is connected to the outer frame assembly and extends across the first major face. Further, the support member defines a line of separation at which the support member can be separated into first and second segment to permit expansion of the air filter. The filter media can form a plurality of pleats, with at least one pleat being free of bonding to the outer frame assembly. The unbonded pleat experiences expansion as the air filter transitions to an expanded state. The air filter can be configured for expansion in one or both of a length and width direction.

Abstract: A battery includes plural battery cells that output a source voltage to power a device, such as an information handling system. A controller of the battery disconnects each battery cell at a predetermined interval for a predetermined time period, such as from a range of between 15 and 60 seconds, while maintaining the source voltage. The predetermined time and interval are selected based upon the load supplied by the battery and an estimated increase in battery output efficiency.

Abstract: A true random number generator including a transistor, a first voltage source, a second voltage source, and a comparator. The transistor has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. Two of the electrodes are electrically connected by a channel of conductive nanomaterial. The first voltage source is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second voltage source is electrically connected to the second electrode. The comparator is electrically connected to the third electrode and is configured to classify a measured electrical property at the third electrode as either HIGH or LOW based on a comparison of the measured electrical property with a reference value. The measured electrical property varies over time due to random telegraph signals (RTSs) due to defects in the transistor.

Abstract: A refuse hopper is disclosed which may be mounted in the bed of a pick-up truck, a flat-bed truck or on a trailer. The refuse hopper includes a horizontally disposed support frame having a rear end, a front end, a first side and a second side. A hopper is pivotally mounted on the support frame and has a front end, a rear end, a front side and a second side. The refuse hopper is selectively movable between a horizontally disposed loading position and a dumping position. A compactor plate is pivotally mounted to the hopper and is movable between an upwardly extending loading position to a refuse packing position within the hopper. The hopper has a volume of about 2-4.5 cubic yards.