Abstract: A bearing is disclosed. The bearing includes a first half shell and an eccentric second half shell, the first half shell and the second half shell configured to connect at a joint to form a cylindrical bearing. The first half shell has a first crown thickness at a first crown of the first half shell, and a first wall thickness between the first crown and the joint. The second half shell has a second crown thickness at a second crown of the second half shell, and a second wall thickness between the second crown and the joint. The second crown thickness is greater than the first crown thickness, and the first wall thickness is equal to the second wall thickness at a point of equal thickness between 10 and 60 degrees from the joint.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to diagnosing and troubleshooting maintenance repair requests using an artificial intelligence-driven chatbot. In some embodiments, a computing platform may receive a maintenance request from a user and may configure a chatbot to extract details that describe an item to be repaired. The computing platform may configure the chatbot to communicate with the user and to generate, based on the communication, an enriched work order. The computing platform may generate training data based on the maintenance request and the enriched work order, and may use the training data to train a plurality of regression models. The plurality of regression models to identify a plurality of technicians to handle the maintenance request and the computing platform may transmit the enriched work order to the plurality of technicians. The computing platform may continuously train the plurality of regression models based on feedback from the plurality of technicians.

Abstract: A mister apparatus includes a portable mister body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan configured to draw air in through the air inlet and force the air out the air outlet, a reservoir configured to contain a liquid, the reservoir having a reservoir outlet, a liquid outlet, the liquid outlet being disposed adjacent to or downstream of the air outlet, and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump is operable to move the liquid from the reservoir and out of the liquid outlet such that the liquid exiting the liquid outlet enters into the air exiting the air outlet to form a mist.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to diagnosing and troubleshooting maintenance repair requests using an artificial intelligence-driven chatbot. In some embodiments, a computing platform may receive a maintenance request from a user and may configure a chatbot to extract details that describe an item to be repaired. The computing platform may configure the chatbot to communicate with the user and to generate, based on the communication, an enriched work order. The computing platform may generate training data based on the maintenance request and the enriched work order, and may use the training data to train a plurality of regression models. The plurality of regression models to identify a plurality of technicians to handle the maintenance request and the computing platform may transmit the enriched work order to the plurality of technicians. The computing platform may continuously train the plurality of regression models based on feedback from the plurality of technicians.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power bank with the capability to harvest electric energy which is then configured to charge its onboard battery such that the power bank is self-recharging. The energy harvesting power bank has an internal area provided with a piezoelectric mass suspended within a suspension frame by resilient members. The internal area is lined with piezoelectric film that is impacted by the piezoelectric mass as a result of the kinetic energy derived from movement of the power bank. As a consequence, the piezoelectric materials will generate electrical energy which will undergo conditioning by energy harvester electronics. The conditioned electrical energy is used to provide power to the USB charging port for use in recharging portable devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power bank with the capability to harvest electric energy which is then configured to charge its onboard battery such that the power bank is self-recharging. The energy harvesting power bank has an internal area provided with a piezoelectric mass suspended within a suspension frame by resilient members. The internal area is lined with piezoelectric film that is impacted by the piezoelectric mass as a result of the kinetic energy derived from movement of the power bank. As a consequence, the piezoelectric materials will generate electrical energy which will undergo conditioning by energy harvester electronics. The conditioned electrical energy is used to provide power to the USB charging port for use in recharging portable devices.

Abstract: A mister apparatus includes a portable mister body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan configured to draw air in through the air inlet and force the air out the air outlet, a reservoir configured to contain a liquid, the reservoir having a reservoir outlet, a liquid outlet, the liquid outlet being disposed adjacent to or downstream of the air outlet, and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump is operable to move the liquid from the reservoir and out of the liquid outlet such that the liquid exiting the liquid outlet enters into the air exiting the air outlet to form a mist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for seed ablation. In accordance with the method of seed ablation, the apparatus is adapted to expose a heat source to a plurality of seeds while the seeds are in motion. Exposing of the heat source to the moving seed allows ablation of the seeds for de-awning and removing of the appendages of the seeds. In a particular arrangement the seeds are exposed to rotational movement within a centrifugal drum to form a rotating stream of seeds. A torch which reaches into the drum provides a flame directed to the stream of seeds for exposing the seeds to the flame. This allows the ablation of the seed awns and appendages over time as seeds enter into contact with the flame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an acoustic resonator within an acoustic chamber such as a stringed instrument body. The acoustic resonator is provided with a piezoelectric material. The kinetic energy derived from the acoustic chamber creates vibrations of sound producing a corresponding or sympathetic mechanical vibration to the piezoelectric material. As a consequence, the piezoelectric material will generate electrical energy which will undergo conditioning by energy harvester electronics. The conditioned electrical energy is used to provide power to multiple devices including on-board electronics or a USB charging port.

Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus has a controller configured to control a substrate table to move along an exposure route including in order: an entry motion in which the substrate moves from an off-substrate position at which the immersion space does not overlap the substrate to an on-substrate position at which the immersion space at least partially overlaps the substrate, a transfer motion in which the substrate table changes speed and/or direction and moves for at least a transfer time after the substrate moves to the on-substrate position, and an expose motion in which the substrate is scanned and the patterned beam is projected onto the substrate, wherein throughout the transfer motion at least a part of the immersion space overlaps the substrate and wherein the patterned beam is not projected onto the substrate during the entry motion and the transfer motion.

Abstract: An engine bearing shell may include a concave bearing surface, opposed axial end faces with an axial width therebetween, circumferential joint faces, and an oil distribution groove circumferentially extending along the concave bearing surface towards the axial end faces. The oil distribution groove may have a groove width that is 4% to 9.25% of the axial width.

Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus has a controller configured to control a substrate table to move along an exposure route including in order: an entry motion in which the substrate moves from an off-substrate position at which the immersion space does not overlap the substrate to an on-substrate position at which the immersion space at least partially overlaps the substrate, a transfer motion in which the substrate table changes speed and/or direction and moves for at least a transfer time after the substrate moves to the on-substrate position, and an expose motion in which the substrate is scanned and the patterned beam is projected onto the substrate, wherein throughout the transfer motion at least a part of the immersion space overlaps the substrate and wherein the patterned beam is not projected onto the substrate during the entry motion and the transfer motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic resonator coupling for securing a tuning fork within a stringed instrument body. The acoustic resonator coupling incorporates the use of retractable prong members to imbed the coupling to the wood of the instrument body. The prong members penetrate the wood leaving only a very small prick mark that does not mar the material of the instrument body thus retaining the value and aesthetics of the stringed instrument. Provisions are provided on the acoustic resonator coupling permitting for the releasable mounting of the tuning fork.

Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus has a controller configured to control a substrate table to move along an exposure route including in order: an entry motion in which the substrate moves from an off-substrate position at which the immersion space does not overlap the substrate to an on-substrate position at which the immersion space at least partially overlaps the substrate, a transfer motion in which the substrate table changes speed and/or direction and moves for at least a transfer time after the substrate moves to the on-substrate position, and an expose motion in which the substrate is scanned and the patterned beam is projected onto the substrate, wherein throughout the transfer motion at least a part of the immersion space overlaps the substrate and wherein the patterned beam is not projected onto the substrate during the entry motion and the transfer motion.

Abstract: A trigger manager and related processes and systems for managing triggers for a plurality of subscribing set-top boxes in an interactive television environment are provided. In response to receipt of a configuration update request originating from a specific set-top box, the trigger manager accesses a database of subscribing set-top box profiles associating subscribing set-top boxes with respective sets of triggers. The database is processed based on the configuration update request to identify a profile associated with the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. Trigger update information associated with the identified profile is transmitted over a network to the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. In response to receipt at the specific set-top box of the trigger update information, the set of current triggers in the memory unit is updated at least in part based on the information received.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel solution for preventing pinch flats and installation flats incurred by an inner tube as a result of the wheel striking an object. Embodiments are directed to an inner tube protector that fits within a tire and provides mechanical protection to the inner tube against tire strikes. Embodiments may include an inner region adapted to support an inner tube installed around a rim of a wheel. Additionally, embodiments may include an outer region adapted for insertion within and against the rim lip of the rim which provide protection to the inner tube responsive to the wheel striking an object. As such, embodiments may be positioned between the rim and inner tube in a manner that dulls an edge of the rim lip and, thereby, provides protection to the inner tube when compressed against the otherwise sharp edges of the rim lip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for seed ablation. In accordance with the method of seed ablation, the apparatus is adapted to expose a heat source to a plurality of seeds while the seeds are in motion. Exposing of the heat source to the moving seed allows ablation of the seeds for de-awning and removing of the appendages of the seeds. In a particular arrangement the seeds are exposed to rotational movement within a centrifugal drum to form a rotating stream of seeds. A torch which reaches into the drum provides a flame directed to the stream of seeds for exposing the seeds to the flame. This allows the ablation of the seed awns and appendages over time as seeds enter into contact with the flame.

Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus has a controller configured to control a substrate table to move along an exposure route including in order: an entry motion in which the substrate moves from an off-substrate position at which the immersion space does not overlap the substrate to an on-substrate position at which the immersion space at least partially overlaps the substrate, a transfer motion in which the substrate table changes speed and/or direction and moves for at least a transfer time after the substrate moves to the on-substrate position, and an expose motion in which the substrate is scanned and the patterned beam is projected onto the substrate, wherein throughout the transfer motion at least a part of the immersion space overlaps the substrate and wherein the patterned beam is not projected onto the substrate during the entry motion and the transfer motion.

Abstract: A trigger manager and related processes and systems for managing triggers for a plurality of subscribing set-top boxes in an interactive television environment are provided. In response to receipt of a configuration update request originating from a specific set-top box, the trigger manager accesses a database of subscribing set-top box profiles associating subscribing set-top boxes with respective sets of triggers. The database is processed based on the configuration update request to identify a profile associated with the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. Trigger update information associated with the identified profile is transmitted over a network to the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. In response to receipt at the specific set-top box of the trigger update information, the set of current triggers in the memory unit is updated at least in part based on the information received.

Abstract: A trigger manager and related processes and systems for managing triggers for a plurality of subscribing set-top boxes in an interactive television environment are provided. In response to receipt of a configuration update request originating from a specific set-top box, the trigger manager accesses a database of subscribing set-top box profiles associating subscribing set-top boxes with respective sets of triggers. The database is processed based on the configuration update request to identify a profile associated with the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. Trigger update information associated with the identified profile is transmitted over a network to the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. In response to receipt at the specific set-top box of the trigger update information, the set of current triggers in the memory unit is updated at least in part based on the information received.