Abstract: An exemplary system for constructing data structures that can perform inferential reasoning to answer input queries may receive input data, extract and cluster entities in the input data into topic clusters, and for a first topic cluster construct a data structure comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein nodes of the data structure respectively represent a topic entity extracted from the input data and grouped into the first topic cluster, and wherein a first node of the data structure is associated with a second node of the data structure based on the first node and the second node respectively representing a first topic entity and a second topic entity associated in the input data with a common one of the one or more identified linguistic modalities. An exemplary system comprising the data structure may receive an input query and generate a response to the input query using the data structure.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a disc brake rotor assembly is provided that includes a disc brake rotor and a wheel hub. One of the disc brake rotor and the wheel hub includes a plurality of pairs of partial keyways and the other of the disc brake rotor and the wheel hub includes intermediate partial keyways configured to fit intermediate the pairs of partial keyways to form keyways. The disc brake rotor assembly further includes a plurality of fasteners configured to be received in the keyways to secure the disc brake rotor and the wheel hub together.

Abstract: A card accessory device including, among other things, one or more processors and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the card accessory device to receive, from a terminal in communication with the card, one or more messages comprising a complete message indicative of successfully reading the card and a read error message indicative that there was an error in reading the card, identify one or more predetermined sequences based on the one or more messages, and perform via a rumble pack, one or more predetermined vibration sequences comprising a first vibration sequence associated with the complete message and a second vibration sequence associated with the read error message in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A card accessory device including, among other things, one or more processors and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the card accessory device to receive, from a terminal in communication with the card, one or more messages comprising a complete message indicative of successfully reading the card and a read error message indicative that there was an error in reading the card, identify one or more predetermined sequences based on the one or more messages, and perform via a rumble pack, one or more predetermined vibration sequences comprising a first vibration sequence associated with the complete message and a second vibration sequence associated with the read error message in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A card accessory device including, among other things, one or more processors and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the card accessory device to receive, from a terminal in communication with the card, one or more messages comprising a complete message indicative of successfully reading the card and a read error message indicative that there was an error in reading the card, identify one or more predetermined sequences based on the one or more messages, and perform via a rumble pack, one or more predetermined vibration sequences comprising a first vibration sequence associated with the complete message and a second vibration sequence associated with the read error message in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a disc brake rotor assembly is provided that includes a disc brake rotor and a wheel hub. One of the disc brake rotor and the wheel hub includes a plurality of pairs of partial keyways and the other of the disc brake rotor and the wheel hub includes intermediate partial keyways configured to fit intermediate the pairs of partial keyways to form keyways. The disc brake rotor assembly further includes a plurality of fasteners configured to be received in the keyways to secure the disc brake rotor and the wheel hub together.

Abstract: A method of sealing a zipper closure has a first waterproof element in the form of a sealing zone base and a second waterproof element in the form of a waterproof interlocking zipper fastener. The first waterproof element and the second waterproof element are placed in overlapping engagement to define a sealing zone. One or more sealing elements are placed in the sealing zone to prevent leakage.

Abstract: A ram air turbine (RAT) actuator can include an actuator housing, an actuator rod configured to move relative to the actuator housing through several positions, and a first biasing member, a second biasing member, and a third biasing member positioned and configured to bias the actuator rod relative to the actuator housing. The first biasing member biases the actuator rod from a first position through a second position, the second biasing member biases the actuator rod from the first position through a third position, and the third biasing member biases the actuator rod from the first position through a fourth position. The three biasing members can be configured to bias a ram air turbine against an uplock hook with sufficient force to eliminate vibrational damage to the uplock hook while in the first position.

Abstract: An assembly to secure a disc brake rotor to a wheel hub utilizing spring pins and a retaining ring is provided. A partial keyway is formed in the rotor, and a partial keyway is formed in the wheel hub. The rotor is fitted over an inwardly extending section of the hub, with the partial keyways in the rotor and in the wheel hub being aligned to form complete keyways. The spring pins are then press fit into the completed keyways. Finally, a retaining ring is installed into a slot formed in the inwardly extending section of the wheel hub to complete the assembly of the disc brake rotor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is an impact vehicle restraint with spaced shear plates that hold a rotating hook and rotating ramp extension leg. The forward ends of the shear plates support an impact zone structure that forms a ramp plane that accommodates a wide variety of trailer ICC bars. The impact zone structure takes the form of a single central impact plate or dual side impact strips. The central impact plate travels with the hook and spans and rests on the shear plates when the hook is retracted. The dual side impact strips are made of weldable metal with a yield strength of at least 100,000 psi and a Brinell Hardness of at least 300. The central impact plate and hardened strips allow unobstructed rotation of the hook and ramp extension leg. The hook is free to pass through a ramp plane in both embodiments.

Abstract: An assembly to secure a disc brake rotor to a wheel hub utilizing spring pins and a retaining ring is provided. A partial keyway is formed in the rotor, and a partial keyway is formed in the wheel hub. The rotor is fitted over an inwardly extending section of the hub, with the partial keyways in the rotor and in the wheel hub being aligned to form complete keyways. The spring pins are then press fit into the completed keyways. Finally, a retaining ring is installed into a slot formed in the inwardly extending section of the wheel hub to complete the assembly of the disc brake rotor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a pivoting pit seal assembly that forms a continuous seal with the rear bumper of a trailer parked in the bay of a loading dock, and which combines with the side and top seals of the loading dock to provide a 360 degree seal around a trailer. The pit seal assembly has a compression pad mounted to a rigid base. The pad has a resilient, compressible core material wrapped by a durable cover. One side of the base is pivotally held by brackets and corresponding releasable latches anchored to the front wall adjacent the pit floor or directly to the pit floor. During use, the pit seal is held in an upwardly angled position to compressingly engage the rear bumper of the trailer and form a continuous seal with the bumper. Each side end of the pit seal sealingly engages the vertical side seals located along the sides of the door opening to form a continuous seal between the pit seal and the side seals.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertically stored dock leveler with a telescoping lip that selectively extends and retracts through a range positions relative to the deck. The lip is held and guided by a deck frame carriage. When the deck is raised and lowered, the lip is extended and retracted by an electro-hydraulic control system. When the deck reaches a preselected incline position, the lip is fully extended. Sensors on the underside of the deck determine the incline position of the deck and when the lip is retracted. The leveler is then lowered until the lip engages and rests on the bed of the trailer. Similarly, when the deck is raised for storage and reaches the preselected incline position, the lip is fully retracted prior to returning to its stored position. The telescoping lip is selectively moveable to a range of partially extended position to facilitate end loading a trailer.

Abstract: A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N-1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.

Abstract: A ram air turbine (RAT) actuator can include an actuator housing, an actuator rod configured to move relative to the actuator housing through several positions, and a first biasing member, a second biasing member, and a third biasing member positioned and configured to bias the actuator rod relative to the actuator housing. The first biasing member biases the actuator rod from a first position through a second position, the second biasing member biases the actuator rod from the first position through a third position, and the third biasing member biases the actuator rod from the first position through a fourth position. The three biasing members can be configured to bias a ram air turbine against an uplock hook with sufficient force to eliminate vibrational damage to the uplock hook while in the first position.

Abstract: A multi-level, step-up converter circuit includes an inductor including one terminal in communication with an input voltage supply. N transistor pairs are connected in series, where N is an integer greater than one. First and second transistors of a first pair of the N transistor pairs are connected together at a node. The node is in communication with another terminal of the inductor. Third and fourth transistors of a second pair of the N transistor pairs are connected to the first and second transistors, respectively. (N?1) capacitors have terminals connected between the N transistor pairs, respectively. An output capacitor has a terminal in communication with at least one transistor of the N transistor pair.

Abstract: The present invention is a pivoting pit seal assembly that forms a continuous seal with the rear bumper of a trailer parked in the bay of a loading dock, and which combines with the side and top seals of the loading dock to provide a 360 degree seal around a trailer. The pit seal assembly has a compression pad mounted to a rigid base. The pad has a resilient, compressible core material wrapped by a durable cover. One side of the base is pivotally held by brackets and corresponding releasable latches anchored to the front wall adjacent the pit floor or directly to the pit floor. During use, the pit seal is held in an upwardly angled position to compressingly engage the rear bumper of the trailer and form a continuous seal with the bumper. Each side end of the pit seal sealingly engages the vertical side seals located along the sides of the door opening to form a continuous seal between the pit seal and the side seals.

Abstract: The present invention is an impact vehicle restraint with spaced shear plates that hold a rotating hook and rotating ramp extension leg. The forward ends of the shear plates support an impact zone structure that forms a ramp plane that accommodates a wide variety of trailer ICC bars. The impact zone structure takes the form of a single central impact plate or dual side impact strips. The central impact plate travels with the hook and spans and rests on the shear plates when the hook is retracted. The dual side impact strips are made of weldable metal with a yield strength of at least 100,000 psi and a Brinell Hardness of at least 300. The central impact plate and hardened strips allow unobstructed rotation of the hook and ramp extension leg. The hook is free to pass through a ramp plane in both embodiments.

Abstract: A multi-level, step-up converter circuit includes an inductor including one terminal in communication with an input voltage supply. N transistor pairs are connected in series, where N is an integer greater than one. First and second transistors of a first pair of the N transistor pairs are connected together at a node. The node is in communication with another terminal of the inductor. Third and fourth transistors of a second pair of the N transistor pairs are connected to the first and second transistors, respectively. (N?1) capacitors have terminals connected between the N transistor pairs, respectively. An output capacitor has a terminal in communication with at least one transistor of the N transistor pair.

Abstract: A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N-1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.