Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for distributed data management. One of the methods includes maintaining, by a first member in a distributed data management system having multiple computing members installed on multiple respective computers, a first garbage collection version vector that includes, for each member in the distributed data management system, a garbage collection version that represents a number of garbage collection processes performed by the member on a respective copy of a replicated data region maintained by the member in the data management system. If the first garbage collection version vector is different than a second garbage collection version vector received from a different provider member, a first replication process is performed that is different than a second replication process that is performed when the first garbage collection version vector matches the second garbage collection version vector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for sensor systems. In one embodiment, a system may include an implantable component and an external component. The implantable component may comprise a housing and an electrode array configured to receive a plurality of biopotential signals. The housing may comprise a wireless power receiver and a wireless data transmitter to transmit representations of the biopotential signals. The external component may comprise a wireless data receiver configured to receive the plurality of digital representations of the biopotential signals and a wireless power transmitter configured to provide power to the internal component. A shielding component may separate the wireless power transmitter from the wireless data receiver. An interface may be configured to communicate with a prosthesis and configured to cause the prosthesis to implement a voluntary motion based on the plurality of digital presentations of the biopotential signals.

Abstract: A robotic tool changer in which the coupling mechanism is actuated using magnetic force is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a robotic tool changer may include a tool unit operatively connected to a robotic tool and a master unit operative to connect to a robotic arm. The master unit may include a housing and a piston. The piston may be disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to place the master unit in one of a coupled state and a decoupled state. Further, the master unit may be operative to assume the coupled state or the decoupled state in response to altering an orientation of magnetic fields to provide a first magnetic force that moves the piston to the coupled state or provide a second magnetic force that moves the piston to the decoupled state.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for distributed data management. One of the methods includes maintaining, by a first member in a distributed data management system having multiple computing members installed on multiple respective computers, a first garbage collection version vector that includes, for each member in the distributed data management system, a garbage collection version that represents a number of garbage collection processes performed by the member on a respective copy of a replicated data region maintained by the member in the data management system. If the first garbage collection version vector is different than a second garbage collection version vector received from a different provider member, a first replication process is performed that is different than a second replication process that is performed when the first garbage collection version vector matches the second garbage collection version vector.

Abstract: A board pocket or flap shaped device to store objects on a flat rigid or semi-rigid surface for convenient retrieval. The board pocket may be used during a board sport and attached to a board such as a surfboard, paddle-board, kite-surfing board, wake-board, or wind-surfing board. The pocket may also be used for boards used in land and air sports such as skateboards and sky-surf boards. The board pocket employs a thermo-elastic polymer to grip, by friction, the objects to be stored therein. Any objects, for example, surfwax or car keys may be stored and retrieved from the board through a slit or opening in the pocket. The pocket is attached to the board by an adhesive or fastener.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generation unit for a cookstove or other heat source is described. The thermoelectric generation unit includes a probe, a thermoelectric module, and a fluid reservoir. The probe draws heat from a heat source such as a wood cookstove. The thermoelectric module generates an electric current based on a heat gradient created by different temperatures of contents of the fluid reservoir and the probe.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a housing, an oven positioned within the housing and adapted to heat a substance to generate a vapor from the substance, the oven comprising oven sides and an oven lid seat adjacent a surface of the housing, the oven lid seat comprising oven lid seat sides positioned at angles with respect to each other so that they are not parallel to each other, an external mouthpiece opening, a vapor channel in fluid communication with the external mouthpiece opening and the oven, and an oven lid pivotally attached to the housing and pivotable between a closed position in which sides of the oven lid align with the oven lid seat sides, and an open position.

Abstract: A robotic tool changer in which the coupling mechanism is actuated using magnetic force is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a robotic tool changer may include a tool unit operatively connected to a robotic tool and a master unit operative to connect to a robotic arm. The master unit may include a housing and a piston. The piston may be disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to place the master unit in one of a coupled state and a decoupled state. Further, the master unit may be operative to assume the coupled state or the decoupled state in response to altering an orientation of magnetic fields to provide a first magnetic force that moves the piston to the coupled state or provide a second magnetic force that moves the piston to the decoupled state.

Abstract: A control valve which includes a discrete, multi-stage, multi-path valve trim, located in concentric cylinders, along the outlet axis of the valve, with potential to characterize flow resistance at different opening points.

Abstract: A one piece, planar flatpack gutter trap formed and creased on its top surface in a configuration so as to allow assembly into a gutter system trap. It is capable of folding assembly on a job site with a minimum of hand tools and an object with a sharp linear edge. It has a leaf guard incorporated thereon that is capable of locking the gutter trap in its assembled configuration to prevent the collapse of the leaf trap and to increase the lateral stability of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a housing, a heating assembly, a mouthpiece and a vapor passage. The heating assembly is positioned within the housing and adapted to heat a liquid solution sufficient to transform the liquid solution to a vapor. The mouthpiece is detachably coupled to the housing and includes a heat sink, an external mouthpiece opening, and a vapor channel recessed into the heat sink and in fluid communication with the external mouthpiece opening. The vapor passage extends from the heating assembly towards the mouthpiece. The vapor passage is in fluid communication with the vapor channel and adapted to pass vapor from the heating assembly to the vapor channel such that when vapor is withdrawn through the external mouthpiece opening, the vapor passes through the vapor passage, through the vapor channel recessed into the heat sink, and through the external mouthpiece opening.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for distributed data management. One of the methods includes maintaining, by a first member in a distributed data management system having multiple computing members installed on multiple respective computers, a first garbage collection version vector that includes, for each member in the distributed data management system, a garbage collection version that represents a number of garbage collection processes performed by the member on a respective copy of a replicated data region maintained by the member in the data management system. If the first garbage collection version vector is different than a second garbage collection version vector received from a different provider member, a first replication process is performed that is different than a second replication process that is performed when the first garbage collection version vector matches the second garbage collection version vector.

Abstract: A fan for a gas turbine engine includes: an annular casing; a disk disposed inside the casing and mounted for rotation about an axial centerline, the disk including a row of fan blades extending radially outwardly therefrom; each of the fan blades including an airfoil having circumferentially opposite pressure and suction sides extending radially in span from a root to a tip, and extending axially in chord between spaced-apart leading and trailing edges, with the airfoils defining corresponding flow passages therebetween for pressurizing air; the row including no more than 21 and no less than 13 of the fan blades; and wherein each of the fan blades has a solidity defined by a ratio of the airfoil chord over a circumferential pitch of the fan blades, measured at 60% of a radial distance from the root to the tip, of less than about 1.6.

Abstract: A method of generating an indication of at least one characteristic of a patient's bone mineral density. The method comprises obtaining at least one measurement of a width of a patient's inferior mandibular cortex and generating said indication based upon said at least one measurement. The at least one measurement is obtained at a location along the inferior mandibular cortex between the ante-gonion and a point on the inferior mandibular cortex defined with reference to the mental foramen.

Abstract: A manually actuated robotic tool changer comprises master and tool units, each adapted to be connected to a different one of a robotic arm and a robotic tool. The tool changer includes a plurality of rolling members retained in one of the units and a piston mounted in one of the units and moveable in an axial direction. The piston includes a multi-faceted cam surface including an initial contact surface, a locking surface, and a failsafe surface interposed between the initial contact surface and the locking surface. When the piston is in a locked position in the tool changer, the cam surface is operative to contact the rolling members in one of the units and to urge each rolling member against a surface of the other unit to couple the master and tool units together.

Abstract: An apparatus described herein communicates with a handheld device. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and to protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input or a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device, even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: A one piece, planar flatpack gutter trap formed and creased on its top surface in a configuration so as to allow assembly into a gutter system trap. It is capable of folding assembly on a job site with a minimum of hand tools and an object with a sharp linear edge. It has a leaf guard incorporated thereon that is capable of locking the gutter trap in its assembled configuration to prevent the collapse of the leaf trap and to increase the lateral stability of the device.