Abstract: A power management system includes a relay connected to an electrical load, a power management module configured to receive electrical power from each of a battery and a utility source, and in communication with the relay, and a controller in communication with the battery and the power management module. The controller monitors a battery load on the battery and communicates to the power management module to selectively disconnect the relay connected to the electrical load based on the battery load.

Abstract: A handheld device measures all vital signs and some hemodynamic parameters from the human body and transmits measured information wirelessly to a web-based system, where the information can be analyzed by a clinician to help diagnose a patient. The system utilizes our discovery that bio-impedance signals used to determine vital signs and hemodynamic parameters can be measured over a conduction pathway extending from the patient's wrist to a location on their thoracic cavity, e.g. their chest or navel. The device's form factor can include re-usable electrode materials to reduce costs. Measurements made by the handheld device, which use the belly button as a ‘fiducial’ marker, facilitate consistent, daily measurements, thereby reducing positioning errors that reduce accuracy of standard impedance measurements. In this and other ways, the handheld device provides an effective tool for characterizing patients with chronic diseases, such as heart failure, renal disease, and hypertension.

Abstract: A window for a vehicle, a vessel or a trailer is provided, the window including a frame; a moveable glass pane, the moveable glass pane in articulatable and slidable relation to the frame; a handle, the handle including a handle shaft which is attached to the moveable glass pane at a top and a bottom region of the moveable glass pane; a top and a bottom articulating and urging mechanism, each in direct mechanical communication with the handle shaft; a top and a bottom articulating mechanism, each in indirect mechanical communication with the handle shaft; and a top and a bottom sliding assembly, which extend between the articulating and urging mechanisms and the articulating mechanisms, each sliding assembly including a slide track and a dog shaft, the slide track retained on the frame, the dog shafts slidably retained in the slide track, each dog shaft in mechanical communication with the articulating and urging mechanism and the articulating mechanism.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: Embodiments of various games are described. One example embodiment includes a plurality of wheels on which players may place a bet. A different number of wheels may be used from game to game.

Abstract: Embodiments related to conducting a wagering game according to the rules of a base game includes defining a finite set of game indicia. In some embodiments the player plays multiple sequential game hand by placing a wager, receiving game indicia from the finite set cumulatively excluding any game indicia previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the game indicia from the player, and excluding the dealt game indicia from further play, and displaying at least the excluded game indicia or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded game indicia. In some embodiments the game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may include a manually triggered restoration or an automatic restoration event that restores the excluded game indicia. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A composite solid electrolyte for lithium batteries can include a solid polymer, phyllosilicate nanoparticles distributed in the solid polymer, a lithium salt distributed in the solid polymer, and a plasticizer distributed in the solid polymer. The composite solid electrolyte can be used in a solid-state lithium battery cell made up of a composite solid electrolyte, an anode containing lithium in contact with a first surface of the composite solid electrolyte, and a cathode in contact with a second surface of the composite solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A frame assembly for retaining an IG unit in an opening in a door or other panel structure may include a first frame configured to engage a surface of the door or other panel structure about a periphery of the opening and to engage the IG unit about an outer periphery thereof, and having a first coupling portion, a second frame integral with, or configured to engage, an opposite surface of the door about a periphery of the opening and to engage the IG unit about the outer periphery thereof, and having a second coupling portion, and an alignment member to engage each of the first and second coupling portions, between the periphery of the opening and the outer periphery of the IG unit, to align the first and second coupling portions with one another.

Abstract: A laminated body is disclosed. The laminate body has a leather layer comprising natural leather in which all or a portion of the reticular layer has been removed, a fiber layer comprising natural and/or synthetic fibers positioned at the rear-side of the leather layer, and an adhesive layer between the leather layer and the fiber layer, wherein, in the leather layer, the proportion of the thickness of the reticular layer is 5% or less and the proportion of the thickness of the papillary layer is 95% or more.

Abstract: This invention uses a hybrid of latticed steel and tapered tubular steel technologies. Namely, latticed steel and tapered tubular steel pole technology, to provide a more economical structural support with the advantages of each. It utilizes latticed steel hot-rolled angles for bracing elements and cold formed steel plate for main leg elements. The tapered geometry of the leg elements provides a more optimum utilization of material by the use of a non-prismatic (tapered) element profile. This element consists of a bent plate shape profile that varies in structural section modulus vertically along the height of the structure which optimizes the use of steel material to resist the applied structural loads. The arms include an invention that allows for post-tensioning and thereby provides deflection control and/or the ability to modify the natural frequencies of vibration to mitigate vortex induced vibrations caused by wind.

Abstract: A valve comprising a slidable internal shuttle that is shiftable between a valve closed and a valve open configuration is provided. The valve can be configured so that minimal force is required to effect shifting of the shuttle, even though the valve can be of a large diameter. In the valve closed configuration, the shuttle blocks communication between the valve inlet and outlet. Sliding of the shuttle to the valve open configuration permits fluid to flow through the valve. The shuttle can be configured with internal surfaces that provide some or no biasing forces acting upon the shuttle in the valve closed direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a holder for a tablet electronic device that comprises: a base member having a slot formed on the base member; and a main clamp including a stand mounted to the base member and extending upwardly and an arm arranged at one end of the stand and extending substantially perpendicularly from the stand. The arm comprises at least one flexible fastener protruding from a bottom of the arm. Further, a position of the at least one flexible fastener corresponds to a position of the slot.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a holder for a tablet electronic device that comprises: a base member having a slot formed on the base member; and a main clamp including a stand mounted to the base member and extending upwardly and an arm arranged at one end of the stand and extending substantially perpendicularly from the stand. The arm comprises at least one flexible fastener protruding from a bottom of the arm. Further, a position of the at least one flexible fastener corresponds to a position of the slot.

Abstract: A tablet computer with a docking sled type arrangement including a payment device of choice is provided. The docking sled can be removed from the tablet computer to provide protection to the payment device. The docking sled employs magnetic force to hold and compress electronic contacts. These contacts provide charging power to the docking sled and bi-directional communication. The docking can be oriented left or right to accommodate both left handed and right handed users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an accessory powered by an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle are provided. The method includes a control module determining when a primary power source of a vehicle is deactivated. The method also includes the control module determining when an auxiliary power unit is activated after deactivation of the primary power source. Also, the method includes the control module automatically controlling the accessory powered by the auxiliary power unit when the control module determines that the primary power source is deactivated and the auxiliary power unit is activated.

Abstract: A painting stand for vehicle bumpers includes a base frame supported by a plurality of casters together with a vertically supported post. A post extension is telescopically supported within the vertical post and is adjustable in its elevation. The upper end of the post extension is coupled to a support, to which is coupled a pivoting support rack. The support rack is comprised of upper and lower transverse/horizontal member(s). These transverse members are rigid in the middle and semi-rigid at both ends and serve as a mounting surface to which bumpers in need of paint or repair are affixed. The support rack's unique configuration allows the operator to easily affix and detach a wide variety of bumper shapes and sizes to the stand quickly and efficiently. Said support rack pivots. The pivoting function of the support rack is actuated and controlled by a foot pedal connected to the support rack by a cable.

Abstract: A method of quantifying resolution times through external networks includes receiving, from an external network, a transmission indicating an incident. The transmission includes a first time at which an indication of the incident was posted to the external network. The method may also include generating an incident record associated with the incident, submitting the incident record to an incident management process to resolve the incident, and receiving an indication that the incident is resolved. The method may additionally include submitting a request to the external network to post the indication that the incident is resolved, and receiving, from the external network, a second time at which the indication that the incident is resolved was posted by the external network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an accessory powered by an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle are provided. The method includes a control module determining when a primary power source of a vehicle is deactivated. The method also includes the control module determining when an auxiliary power unit is activated after deactivation of the primary power source. Also, the method includes the control module automatically controlling the accessory powered by the auxiliary power unit when the control module determines that the primary power source is deactivated and the auxiliary power unit is activated.

Abstract: A painting stand for vehicle bumpers includes a base frame supported by a plurality of casters together with a vertically supported post. A post extension is telescopically supported within the vertical post and is adjustable in its elevation. The upper end of the post extension is coupled to a support, to which is coupled a pivoting support rack. The support rack is comprised of upper and lower transverse/horizontal member(s). These transverse members are rigid in the middle and semi-rigid at both ends and serve as a mounting surface to which bumpers in need of paint or repair are affixed. The support rack's unique configuration allows the operator to easily affix and detach a wide variety of bumper shapes and sizes to the stand quickly and efficiently. Said support rack pivots. The pivoting function of the support rack is actuated and controlled by a foot pedal connected to the support rack by a cable.

Abstract: A passive isolation valve equipped with one or more nozzles configured to deliver a flow of gas to an area adjacent the valve seat so as to remove accumulated particulate material from the area of the valve adjacent the valve seat that otherwise may adversely affect closure of the valve in response to an energetic event.