Abstract: Methods and system for treating blackwater are disclosed. A pyrolysis chamber and a condensing heat exchanger are provided. A blackwater slurry, consisting of blackwater solids, water, and volatiles, is passed into the pyrolysis chamber. The blackwater slurry is heated to produce steam, to separate at least a portion of the volatiles, and pyrolyze the blackwater solids, the separated volatiles passing out of the pyrolysis chamber. The steam and separated volatiles are cooled in a condensing heat exchanger, condensing at least a portion of the steam and at least a portion of the separated volatiles as a contaminated water stream. A water-clarifying chemical is added into the contaminated water stream that reacts with the volatiles, resulting in a treated water stream.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces, a first plurality of heads actuated over a first subset of the disk surfaces by a first actuator, and a second plurality of heads actuated over a second subset of the disk surfaces by a second actuator. A first access command is executed using the first actuator and a second access command is executed using the second actuator. When the first access command finishes before the second access command finishes, a third access command is selected to execute using the first actuator based on a time remaining (To2) to finish the second access command, and at least part of the second access command is executed while concurrently executing at least part of the third access command during To2.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for obtaining health and wellness information about individuals and systems for implementing the method. In one embodiment, a method for obtaining health and wellness information about an individual comprising providing an analytical toilet comprising a bowl adapted to receive excreta from the individual and a sensor for measuring at least one characteristic of the individual or the excreta; a controller receiving data from the sensor and using that data to determine what additional information is needed to evaluate that data; the controller sending a prompt to the individual to solicit the additional information from the individual; the processor receiving the information from the device; and processing the data from the sensor and from the device to determine the health and wellness information is disclosed.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a seat for the user; a sensor for detecting a symptom of the user; wherein the sensor transmits data to a processor that uses the data to measure a symptom of the user is disclosed. A method for monitoring a patient comprising providing an analytical toilet comprising: a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a seat for the user; a sensor for detecting a symptom of the user; having a user use the toilet to deposit excreta; detecting a symptom of the user with the sensor; transmitting data from the sensor to a processor; and using the data to measure the symptom and compare it to the user's normal or expected symptoms is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for filtering air, a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the fabric component and the rigid component combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port, an intake filter that filters intake air passing through the inlet port, an exhaust port, an exhaust filter that filters exhaust air passing through the outlet port, an air mover positioned to pull air through the exhaust port, whereby intake air is drawn into the device through the inlet port and whereby the intake air and exhaust air is filtered.

Abstract: A device for covering the head of a user comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield and an air port, a fabric component, wherein the rigid component and the fabric component combine to cover the head of the user and seal around the neck of the user, and an air mover mounted on the rigid component so as to cause air to move either into or out of the air port, a filter that filters air moving through the air port, wherein at least a portion of the fabric component allows air to either move into the device if the air mover moves air out of the air port or move out of the device if the air mover moves air into the air port, and wherein the at least a portion of the fabric allows air to move into or out of the device also filters the air moving into or out of the device.

Abstract: We disclose an in-toilet urinalysis system which includes a system for collection urine and applying the urine to a urine test strip. The system may include an orifice within a toilet bowl which leads into a channel. The channel may be connected to a capillary which has an orifice at each end. Urine may pass through the orifice, into the channel, then may be moved by capillary action through the capillary. A urine test strip dispenser may move reaction pads on a urine test strip to the distal end of the capillary to load the reaction pads with urine. The reaction pads may absorb the urine from the most distal orifice of the capillary. A measurable chemical reaction may occur in the reaction pads in response to urine analytes.

Abstract: Devices and system for releasably securing objects are disclosed. An insert with tabs around a perimeter is inserted into a receiver. The tabs follow inlet grooves and tab capture grooves, and then retract into tab resting depressions, securing the insert and receiver while force is maintained between the insert and the receiver. The force is removed and the tabs exit the tab resting depressions into the tab release groove. Application of the force again causes the tabs to enter into an outlet groove and out of the receiver, thus detaching the insert and the receiver. The device is preferably used in a system for raising a lowering a rectangular platform with a device at each corner of the platform.

Abstract: The invention is a monitoring system for determining a vehicle maintenance condition based on weight. The system includes a monitoring station, a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive load ratings for a tow vehicle and tow equipment, receive maintenance requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive vehicle use requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive weight data from the weight determination system, and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine at least one maintenance condition based on the load ratings, the weight data, and the input data. The processor is also configured to send the maintenance condition data to the monitoring system and communicate the maintenance condition to a user.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus may comprise a rotatable body with fixed cutting elements protruding from an exterior thereof. To form a subterranean borehole, the fixed cutting elements, spaced at a constant radius from a rotational axis of the body, may degrade an earthen formation as the body rotates. The body may also have a rotatable cutting element protruding from its exterior. To remove material from an interior wall of the borehole, the rotatable cutting element may be positioned in a first rotational orientation wherein it extends radially beyond the constant radius of the fixed cutting elements. An amount of material being removed may be altered by rotating the rotatable cutting element into a second rotational orientation wherein it remains radially within the constant radius.

Abstract: A head covering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and an environmental control component to condition air within the device.

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: A spring assisted overhead door is disclosed. An overhead door is movable between an open and a closed position. In the open position the overhead door is in a horizontal orientation and rests on a track that is also horizontal. Weight of the door in this position may be insufficient to initiate downward movement of the overhead door. A spring is used to urge the overhead door along the track until a release point at which point the overhead door is at least partially on a downwardly oriented portion of the track where gravity can pull the overhead door along the track.

Abstract: A shaft-mounted overhead door operator is disclosed having a motor, a torque transfer component such as a gear train, and a clutch that is axially movable to engage or disengage the clutch. While the door operator has power, the clutch is engaged to ensure door operator can raise, lower, and stop the overhead door as directed from a remote control. The clutch can be released in the event of a loss of power or by direction from the remote control in which case the clutch releases the shaft of the overhead door. The shaft-mounted overhead door is small, having a width no greater than three times the diameter of the shaft to which it is mounted.

Abstract: A toilet comprising a seat for supporting a user during use of the toilet, a bowl for catching excreta from the user, a retractable bidet wand adapted to extend after excretion has concluded, a bidet head located on the end of the bidet wand, adapted to spray water on the exposed surface of the user, an image sensor on the bidet wand, adapted to capture images of the exposed surfaces of the user, and a processor to analyze the images to detect health issues.

Abstract: A multifunction lock unit is disclosed. The unit is a single, contained unit that includes a base box near an overhead door and a deadbolt in the base box that protrudes into a hole in the overhead door to lock the overhead door. The deadbolt is extendable into the hole and retractable out of the hole. The unit also includes an actuator in the base box coupled to the deadbolt and configured to extend and retract the deadbolt. There is a wireless communication module that can receive a signal from a control unit to extend or retract the deadbolt via the actuator, and send a signal to the motor unit to raise or lower the overhead door. The unit also has a light on the base box for displaying at least two colors of light to show a status of the unit.

Abstract: A node and methods for securely communicating information are described. The node includes a transducer that provides a first stream of data elements, a network interface, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller identifies a first data type associated with the first stream of data elements from the transducer, harvests each data element (e.g., measurement) from the first stream of data elements based on the first data type, aggregates a plurality of the measurements into an array of first measurements, generates a payload that includes a length identifier, a data type identifier that identifies the first data type, and the array of first measurements, identifies a destination for the payload, determines a token based on the identified destination, adds the identified token to the payload to form a datagram; and sends the datagram to the destination, via the network interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting batch multi-effect distillation are disclosed. A multi-effect distillation system and one or more isolation devices are provided. A feed stream, consisting of water and a solute, is passed from a feed source into a brine side of the plurality of heat exchangers. The feed source is isolated from the plurality of heat exchangers by closing the one or more isolation devices. A first of the plurality of heat exchangers is heated by the heat source. A steam stream and a brine concentrate stream are produced in all but a last of the plurality of heat exchangers. A condensate stream from the steam stream is produced in all but the first of the plurality of heat exchangers. A warmed feed stream is produced in the last of the plurality of heat exchangers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an overhead door opener and a lifter are disclosed. The lifter is positioned above the overhead door when the overhead door is in a retracted position and raises and lowers objects along a path that, without care, will intersect with the overhead door. A controller monitors the position of the overhead door and the lifter and moves the overhead door if the lifter is out of the way, and if the lifter is not out of the way the command is not executed to prevent interference between the lifter and the overhead door.