Abstract: Provided is a fluid flow energy harvester (10) comprising a crankshaft (12) and at least one vane (14) pivoted into a sail portion (18) and a crank portion (20) on respective sides of the pivot (16). Both portions (18) and (20) are operatively oscillatable about the pivot (16) when the crank portion (20) is operatively arranged facing into a fluid flow (22). The crank portion (20) is linked to the crankshaft (12) via a crank (24) so that operative oscillation of the vane (14) imparts rotational force to said crankshaft (12). The harvester (10) also includes a fin arrangement (26) which comprises a fin (28) arranged on, and configured to guide, the sail portion (18) of the vane (14) facing towards or in a direction of the fluid flow (22).

Abstract: A cutting blade assembly establishes a bidirectional and/or multifaceted scissor-type cutting action to efficiently and effectively process various types of debris encountered by the cutting blade assembly. The assembly includes a cutting plate and a cutting hub configured for relative rotation. A cutting slot is formed in the cutting plate and intersects the axial face to define a cutting edge at the intersection of the cutting slot and the axial face. The cutting hub has a cutting arm positioned adjacent to the axial face. When the cutting plate and the cutting hub undergo relative rotation, the cutting arm passes adjacent to the cutting edge to perform a scissor-type cutting action.

Abstract: A request to establish a communication session between the first communication endpoint and a second communication endpoint is received. For example, the request may be a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE message to establish a voice communication session. A security classification for the communication session is determined. For example, the determined security classification may be that the call is top secret or unclassified. The security classification is not based on whether the communication session is solely encrypted. The security classification is inserted into the request to establish the communication session. The request to establish the communication session with the security classification is sent to the second communication endpoint. This allows the second endpoint to display the security classification. A similar process is used in a response to the request to establish the communication session to convey the security classification to the first communication endpoint.

Abstract: Methods of producing a ceramic article include heating the ceramic green body containing a quantity of one or more organic materials to extract only a fraction of the organic materials from the ceramic green body by exposing the ceramic green body to a process atmosphere which is heated to a hold temperature of from 225° C. to about 400° C. and has from 2% to 7% O2 by volume of the process atmosphere. The method further includes cooling the ceramic green body to a temperature of below 200° C., exposing the ceramic green body to a higher concentration of O2 than in the process atmosphere of the heating step, and firing the ceramic green body to form the ceramic article. Volatile extraction units for implementing the methods are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include an optical device configured to provide a day view image mode and a night view image mode. The optical device may include an optics assembly configured to receive light from a view area and a control circuit including one or more sensors and a display interface. The control circuit may be configured to receive a mode selection input and to selectively enable at least one of the display interface and the one or more sensors in response to the mode selection input indicating a night view image mode. The optical device may also include an optical element responsive to a signal from the control circuit to direct at least a portion of the light toward the one or more sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a pillar adjacent to a vehicle window, such as a windshield. The apparatus includes a molding for positioning adjacent to the pillar, the molding forming a channel in a deployed condition for receiving moisture from the vehicle windshield, or for reducing the effects of wind throb when a single vehicle window is open. An actuator may be associated with the molding for activating a non-deployed condition of the molding for reducing the effects of wind noise. The molding may include a passage for receiving an airflow and transmitting it to an outlet for directing fluid away from the molding, the pillar and adjacent side window. In the deployed condition, the molding may project from a surface of the pillar and in the non-deployed condition may be substantially flush with the surface of the pillar.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a firearm system can include an optical scope. The optical scope may include a direct-view optics assembly and a switchable microdisplay element. The direct-view optics assembly can include an objective lens and a viewing lens, and may be configured to direct and focus light received by the objective lens toward the viewing lens. The switchable microdisplay element may be configured to selectively interrupt a light path between the objective lens and the viewing lens to present image data to the viewing lens.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical scope includes a direct-view optics assembly including an objective lens and a viewing lens. The direct-view optics assembly may be configured to direct and focus light from a view area received by the objective lens toward the viewing lens. The optical scope may further include a selectable element accessible by a user to select one of a direct-view mode and a digital-view mode and a switchable circuit element configured to selectively interrupt a light path between the objective lens and the viewing lens in response to selection of the digital-view mode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include an optical device configured to provide a day view image mode and a night view image mode. The optical device may include an optics assembly configured to receive light from a view area and a control circuit including one or more sensors and a display interface. The control circuit may be configured to receive a mode selection input and to selectively enable at least one of the display interface and the one or more sensors in response to the mode selection input indicating a night view image mode. The optical device may also include an optical element responsive to a signal from the control circuit to direct at least a portion of the light toward the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A method for firing a ceramic honeycomb body including heating a green ceramic honeycomb body from a first temperature to a second temperature at a first heating rate and at a first oxygen level. Then, the green ceramic honeycomb body is heated from the second temperature to a third temperature at a second heating rate and at a second oxygen level. In this firing schedule, the second heating rate is greater than the first heating rate, and the second oxygen level is greater than the first oxygen level. Further, oxygen is introduced into the kiln to increase an oxygen level of the kiln from the first oxygen level to the second oxygen level near a peak of organic volatile release.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a pillar adjacent to a vehicle window, such as a windshield. The apparatus includes a molding for positioning adjacent to the pillar, the molding forming a channel in a deployed condition for receiving moisture from the vehicle windshield, or for reducing the effects of wind throb when a single vehicle window is open. An actuator may be associated with the molding for activating a non-deployed condition of the molding for reducing the effects of wind noise. The molding may include a passage for receiving an airflow and transmitting it to an outlet for directing fluid away from the molding, the pillar and adjacent side window. In the deployed condition, the molding may project from a surface of the pillar and in the non-deployed condition may be substantially flush with the surface of the pillar.

Abstract: A portable power washer. The portable power washer includes a housing. The housing is made of a flexible material and includes a base, a sidewall, an opening, and a lid openably and closably coupled the sidewall and covering the opening. A hose coupler fluidly connects an inside of the housing with an outside of the housing. A pump is operable to pump a liquid from the inside of the housing and through the hose coupler.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a pillar adjacent to a vehicle window, such as a windshield. The apparatus includes a molding for positioning adjacent to the pillar, the molding forming a channel in a deployed condition for receiving moisture from the vehicle windshield, or for reducing the effects of wind throb when a single vehicle window is open. An actuator may be associated with the molding for activating a non-deployed condition of the molding for reducing the effects of wind noise. The molding may include a passage for receiving an airflow and transmitting it to an outlet for directing fluid away from the molding, the pillar and adjacent side window. In the deployed condition, the molding may project from a surface of the pillar and in the non-deployed condition may be substantially flush with the surface of the pillar.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a pillar adjacent to a vehicle window, such as a windshield. The apparatus includes a molding for positioning adjacent to the pillar, the molding forming a channel in a deployed condition for receiving moisture from the vehicle windshield, or for reducing the effects of wind throb when a single vehicle window is open. An actuator may be associated with the molding for activating a non-deployed condition of the molding for reducing the effects of wind noise.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to porous ceramic compositions and porous ceramic articles, such as honeycomb structure bodies and porous ceramic filters. In various embodiments, a particulate filter is disclosed herein; in some of these embodiments, the particulate filter is a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) and is suitable for use with a gasoline engine and treating its exhaust, and in some of the embodiments, the particulate filter is a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and is suitable for use with a diesel engine and treating its exhaust.

Abstract: Nutritional compositions are provided that comprise a fructo-oligosaccharaide (FOS) in an amount of 35 to 44% by weight; a polysaccharide that is not a partially hydrolyzed guar gum such as, for example, an arabinogalactan in an amount of 50% to 38% by weight; and inulin in an amount of 12% to 24% by weight. The FOS and the polysaccharide may be present in a weight ratio of about 1:1. More specifically, the FOS and inulin may be present in a weight ratio of about 7:3. Also provided are methods of promoting gut micro biota balance and health. The methods include administering an effective amount of the nutritional composition to patients in need of same.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body in a kiln may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body in four stages. The first stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature that at a first heating rate that is greater than or equal to about 75° C./hr. The second stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from the first temperature to a second temperature at a second heating rate that is less than or equal to the first heating rate. The third stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from the second temperature to a hold temperature at a third heating rate that is less than or equal to the first heating rate. The fourth stage may include holding the green honeycomb ceramic body at the hold temperature to remove residual carbon.

Abstract: A method for firing a ceramic honeycomb body including heating a green ceramic honeycomb body from a first temperature to a second temperature at a first heating rate and at a first oxygen level. Then, the green ceramic honeycomb body is heated from the second temperature to a third temperature at a second heating rate and at a second oxygen level. In this firing schedule, the second heating rate is greater than the first heating rate, and the second oxygen level is greater than the first oxygen level. Further, oxygen is introduced into the kiln to increase an oxygen level of the kiln from the first oxygen level to the second oxygen level near a peak of organic volatile release.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a pillar adjacent to a vehicle window, such as a windshield. The apparatus includes a molding for positioning adjacent to the pillar, the molding forming a channel in a deployed condition for receiving moisture from the vehicle windshield, or for reducing the effects of wind throb when a single vehicle window is open. An actuator may be associated with the molding for activating a non-deployed condition of the molding for reducing the effects of wind noise. The molding may include a passage for receiving an airflow and transmitting it to an outlet for directing fluid away from the molding, the pillar and adjacent side window. In the deployed condition, the molding may project from a surface of the pillar and in the non-deployed condition may be substantially flush with the surface of the pillar.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a pillar adjacent to a vehicle window, such as a windshield. The apparatus includes a molding for positioning adjacent to the pillar, the molding forming a channel in a deployed condition for receiving moisture from the vehicle windshield, or for reducing the effects of wind throb when a single vehicle window is open. An actuator may be associated with the molding for activating a non-deployed condition of the molding for reducing the effects of wind noise.