Abstract: A winch drum is disclosed. In a first aspect, a first set of teeth are positioned around an outer perimeter of a drum. The first set of teeth taper from a first crown to a first base. A second set of teeth are positioned around the outer perimeter of the drum. The second set of teeth taper from a second crown to a second base. The second set of teeth are offset from the first set of teeth such that a gap between the first bases and the second bases forms a sinusoidal channel for a line to follow the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth becomes a guide for the line so that the line can engage the sinusoidal channel. The line follows the sinusoidal channel and each change of direction along the sinusoidal path causes the line to engage by friction with the first bases and the second bases. In a second aspect, the drum includes a trough that follows a sinusoidal path and wherein the trough is narrower at its bottom than at its top.

Abstract: There is described a system for producing electrical energy and utilizing associated heat. The system includes a source of fuel, a source of oxygen and a solid oxide fuel cell configured to oxidize the fuel to create electrical energy and heat. The system also includes at least one unit configured to utilize heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell. This at least one unit is selected from the group consisting of: a solid waste pyrolysis unit; a hydrothermal carbonization unit; a water distillation unit; a water pasteurization unit; a water heating unit; a room heating and cooling unit; and a biomass drying unit. In a second aspect, the invention is a system for providing utilities used in a multi-residence complex.

Abstract: A system for raising and lowering furniture, comprising: a dwelling unit comprising a dwelling residential zone for occupants and a storage zone for furnishings above the residential dwelling zone; at least one lifting device attached to an item of furniture; at least one runner attached to the item of furniture; and at least one vertical channel adapted to engage with the at least one runner as the item of furniture is raised or lowered to or from a storage zone above the room; whereby the furniture is supported by the connection to the lifting device; whereby the at least one runner travels along the at least one channel as the item of furniture is raised or lowered is disclosed. A system for adjusting the height of fixtures in a dwelling unit, comprising at least one lifter with a base below the floor line of the dwelling and extending through the floor of the dwelling wherein the lifter is adapted to lower the fixture down to or near floor level is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a shower system that includes a showerhead fixture and a base connected by conduits. The showerhead fixture includes an inlet for receiving pressurized water. A diverter is configured to divert at least a portion of the pressurized water to the base. The showerhead fixture also includes a second inlet fluidly connected to a recirculating showerhead portion with a plurality of showerhead jets for expelling mixed water received from the base. The base is configured to create a reservoir of water on a shower floor and includes a venturi pump capable of using pressurized water from the showerhead fixture to draw in water from the reservoir into the stream of pressurized water. The mixed water is sent from the base to the jets in the showerhead fixture to thereby increase the volume of water expelled from the showerhead.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing an overhead door includes a drive loop coupled to the overhead door, a motor with a drive shaft and a drive wheel for driving the drive loop. A one-way bearing couples the drive shaft to the drive wheel, which one-way bearing is configured to transmit torque from the motor to the drive wheel, as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a first rotational direction to raise the overhead door, and configured so that torque is not transmitted to the drive wheel as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. As a result, the motor applies torque through the one-way bearing to raise the overhead door and to support the weight of the overhead door while lowering the overhead door.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating an item within an enclosure is described. The method includes affixing a first-tier label to a fixture within the enclosure, identifying a first location of the first-tier label based on at least three distance measurements between the first-tier label and a respective plane of the three orthogonal planar surfaces, identifying a second-tier label in proximity to the first-tier label, wherein the second-tier label is associated with an item, determining a first relative position of the second-tier label with respect to the first location of the first-tier label, and determining a second location of the second-tier label based on the first relative position with respect to the first location and the first location.

Abstract: A trailer is disclosed which includes a first door with a first hinge configured to allow the first door to operate between an open position and a closed position, and a second door on the opposing side of the trailer with a second hinge configured to allow the second door to operate between an open position and a closed position. The trailer also includes a roof and a trailer tongue with a coupling configured to attach to a hitch of a vehicle. Two or more wheels are provided that are extendable from an up position to a down position. In this way, when the wheels are in the down position, the trailer is lifted off the ground.

Abstract: A system for moving cargo is disclosed. The system includes a cart, which, in turn, includes a body with a battery compartment and a platform. The cart also includes wheels and a motor for driving the wheels. A battery is housed in the battery compartment for powering the motor. The system also includes a cargo carrier mounted on the platform. The cargo carrier includes a base, two side walls, and two end walls. At least one end wall or side wall is adapted to be moved between different positions to change the shape and/or size of the compartment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for automatically opening and closing a pair of curtains that includes a rod with a longitudinal hollow space. The device also includes a first and second threaded shaft housed within the hollow space. First and second gears are attached to the first and second threaded shaft, respectively. The first and second gear intermesh, so that, when the first threaded shaft rotates in a first angular direction, the second threaded shaft rotates in an opposite second angular direction. The device also includes first and second threaded nuts, threaded onto the first and second threaded shafts. A motor is provided to rotate the first threaded shaft in the first angular direction and simultaneously rotate the second the shaft in the opposite second angular direction.

Abstract: The invention is a retrofit device for converting a standard switch to a smart switch. The retrofit device taps into an existing switch electrical terminal via one or more sliding arms with electrical contacts. The electrical contacts interface with the terminals, thus providing a control circuit to intervene or interrupt the existing switch function and allow a control system to control the electrical circuit the existing switch serves.

Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device, comprising one or more disks; at least one actuator mechanism configured to position at least a first head proximate to a first disk surface and a second head proximate to a second disk surface; and one or more processing devices. The one or more processing devices are configured to: assign logical tracks to physical tracks of the disk surfaces such that a respective logical track comprises: at least a portion of sectors of a primary physical track, the primary physical track being on the first disk surface; and at least a portion of sectors of a donor physical track, the donor physical track being on the second disk surface. The one or more processing devices are configured to perform, using the first head and the second head, a data access operation with at least one of the logical tracks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a winch. The winch includes a motor. A driveshaft that is coupled to the motor, and the motor rotates the driveshaft. End plates at opposite ends of the driveshaft are configured to support the driveshaft between the end plates, and to allow rotation of the driveshaft. A spool is fixed to the driveshaft such that the motor rotates the spool by rotating the driveshaft. A line is attached to the spool and rotation of the driveshaft causes the spool to wind the line onto the spool or unwind the line from the spool. At least one support member is coupled between the end plates. The at least one support member is generally parallel with and spaced apart from the rail, and the support member is fixed to the end plates such that the support member keeps the end plates and drive shaft in alignment.

Abstract: A system for growing plants is described which includes a first platform, configured to support a first set of plants thereon. The system also includes a second platform, spaced above the first platform a sufficient distance to allow for full growth of the plants thereunder, and configured to support a second set of plants thereon. A first movable frame is suspended above the first platform and below the second platform. The first movable frame has a first array of grow lights mounted thereon. A second movable frame is suspended above the second platform and has a second array of grow lights mounted thereon. The system also includes a lift system configured to raise and lower the movable frames so as to maintain each array of grow lights within a predetermined distance above each set of plants as it grows.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system suspended above a platform for growing plants and raisable as the plants grow taller. The system includes a movable frame with an air mover system and grow lights mounted to the movable frame. The system also includes a hoist that suspends the movable frame over the plants and is configured to raise and lower it relative to the plants by winding a line onto and off of the hoist. Also, a power cable is carried by the hoist and coupled to the air mover system and to the grow lights to provide electrical power to at least one of the air mover system and the grow lights. The power cable is windable onto and off of the hoist. The system may also include water misters mounted to the movable frame.

Abstract: A modular dwelling is disclosed that includes a dwelling unit, a rectangular base, four exterior walls extending from the base to the roof, and at least one entrance through one of the exterior walls. The dwelling unit also includes a utility zone disposed above the base, a residential zone disposed above the utility zone, a storage zone above the dwelling zone, a mechanical zone above the storage zone, and lifting devices in the mechanical zone adapted to raise and lower furnishings between the storage zone and the dwelling zone. Preferably, the modular dwelling includes multiple dwelling units arranged side by side and/or stacked vertically.

Abstract: An analytical toilet, comprising: a bowl adapted to receive excreta; one or more conduits for transporting a sample from the bowl; one or more fluid sources in fluid connection with the one or more conduits; and one or more microfluidic chips, comprising: at least one microfluidic fluid inlet channel; and a sensor configured to detect at least one property of an excreta sample is disclosed.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, a first semiconductor memory (SM) having a first endurance, and a second SM having a second endurance lower than the first endurance. A write command is received from a host including write data. When a size of the write command is less than a threshold, the write data is stored in a first SM write cache in the first SM, and when the size of the write command is greater than the threshold, the write data is stored in a second SM write cache in the second SM.

Abstract: A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar, a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein the length of the moment bar is less than 28 inches is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securely identifying an item are disclosed. The method includes receiving an item, selecting a plastic wrap that is opaque and that includes a random pattern of markings, and wrapping the item with the plastic wrap, which protects the protects the item frons visual inspection with the opaque plastic and that secures the item with a unique fingerprint/code formed from the random pattern of markings.

Abstract: A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar having a modulus of elasticity, the moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar; wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein the modulus o