Abstract: A friction disk includes a friction disk core having a first surface with multiple channels extending radially across the first surface. The friction disk may further include a first wear liner having two wear liner segments each configured to be coupled to the first surface of the friction disk core to form an annular liner and each including a wear surface, a non-wear surface, and a rib extending from the non-wear surface and configured to be received by one of the multiple channels.

Abstract: A cartridge may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a wick housing disposed inside the cartridge housing, a heating element, and a wicking element. The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion disposed at least partially inside the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts that form an electric coupling with receptacle contacts in the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing and proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits and to methods of manufacturing interconnects of integrated circuits. For example, an integrated circuit includes a surface of the integrated circuit and an interconnect formed on the surface and comprising a metal. An average grain size of the metal of the interconnect is greater than or equal to at least half of a line width of the interconnect. In another example, a method for manufacturing an interconnect of an integrated circuit includes depositing a layer of a metal onto a surface of the integrated circuit, annealing the metal, patterning a first hard mask for placement over the metal and forming a line of the interconnect and a first via of the interconnect by performing a timed etch of the metal using the first hard mask.

Abstract: The invention being disclosed describes a medical device for removal of a thrombus or clot in a vascular setting by using a rotational, expandable basket structure in combination with drug infusion, blood/particle aspiration and clot isolation by distal and proximal occlusion.

Abstract: Integrated circuits including at least two electrically conductive interconnect lines and methods of manufacturing generally include a surface of the integrated circuit. At least two electrically conductive interconnect lines are separated by a space of less than 90 nm and are formed on the surface. Each of the at least two interconnect lines includes a metal cap, a copper conductor having an average grain size greater than a line width of the interconnect. A liner layer is provided, wherein the liner layer and the metal cap encapsulate the copper conductor. A dielectric layer overlaying the at least two electrically conductive interconnect lines and extending along sidewalls thereof is provided, wherein the dielectric layer is configured to provide an airgap between the at least two interconnect lines at the spacing.

Abstract: A data cable is provided herewith, along with related methods. The disclosed data cables may meet the requirements for a UL 2196 flame test, including subsequent hose stream test. The disclosed data cables include two or more pairs of conductors wrapped with a flame-retardant tape and surrounded by low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) thermoset insulation. A shield may surround the conductor pairs and a non-halogen flame retardant polyolefin may surround the shield. In certain embodiments, the pairs of conductors present in the cable may have different lay lengths.

Abstract: In a cable network, embodiments detect and remediate a non-responsive customer premise equipment (CPE) device in a customer's premise with minimal or no interaction with a customer. Embodiments may detect and remediate a non-responsive CPE device without rebooting the non-responsive CPE device or the associated cable modem. Embodiments include troubleshooting a data link layer (e.g., Open System Interconnection (OSI) layer 2, or media access control (MAC) layer) and a network layer (e.g., OSI layer 3, or Internet layer) between a service operator network and the non-responsive CPE device. Embodiments include a guided integration and a proactive integration method, computer program product, and system to reduce and/or eliminate the need for a customer service representative to reboot a cable modem, and/or for a customer to reboot a non-responsive CPE device resulting in a fast and less disruptive service experience for the customer.

Abstract: A digital imaging system processes digital images of a subject's fundus and/or pupils to determine a pupil edge. Two regions of a digital image are evaluated to determine a threshold value. Typically, the two regions are selected such that each region would usually not include artifacts. The threshold value can then be used to identify a pupil-iris threshold in the digital image. Based on the pupil-iris threshold, pupil edges are identified.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper with an outer layer, an inner layer, and a chamber element positioned at least partially between the outer layer and the upper layer. The chamber element may be formed of two layers of a transparent colored polymer material and may be sealed to enclose a fluid. The chamber element may also have a plurality of subchambers. The outer layer may have a plurality of apertures. Each subchamber may protrude at least partially through a corresponding one of the apertures.

Abstract: A system for conducting an examination of the eyes of a subject includes an examination instrument which emits light at infrared wavelengths, and a shield. The shield provides shielding of the subject's eyes from visible wavelengths. At least a portion of the shield is transparent to the infrared wavelengths emitted by the examination instrument. A related method of conducting an eye examination on a subject includes the step of providing a shield which is transparent to infrared wavelengths but nontransparent to visible wavelengths. The method also includes the step of carrying out the examination with an instrument which is located on the examiner facing side of the shield and which emits the infrared wavelengths to which the shield is transparent. One variant of the method determines parameters relating to the subject's eyes and/or vision using only information considered to be valid, validity being based on the subject's pupil diameter.

Abstract: A cell balancer includes a low power radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a battery monitoring unit (BMU). The RFID tag is configured to measure voltage of a cell in a battery and the BMU is configured to perform voltage management of the cell. The BMU is configured to instruct the RFIG tag to measure voltage of the cell in the battery and receive from the RFID tag the measured voltage of the cell.

Abstract: A pathway measurement system hereof includes a rigid frame and a mobility system attached to the frame. The mobility system includes at least one movable element which is adapted to contact a surface of a pathway via which the frame may be moved relative to the pathway. The pathway measurement system further includes at least one sensor adapted to measure at least one characteristic of a pathway. The pathway measurement system has a first mode of operation in which the mobility system moves the frame along the pathway to move the at least one sensor relative to the pathway. The at least one sensor is connected to the pathway system such that a distance between the at least one sensor and an axis of rotation of one of the moveable elements remains constant in the first mode of operation. In general, the at least one sensor is isolated from any compliance or suspension system.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions and methods for removing chewing gum, its components and other sticky soils from surfaces, especially production facilities, are disclosed. Cleaning composition solutions that do not require a rinse step are disclosed and suitable for treatment of surfaces having indirect food contact. In an aspect, the cleaning compositions and methods employ a scraping-spraying-wiping procedure.

Abstract: A wireless network can perform a topological mapping through its gateway, which sends a multicast message over the wireless network to every node of a network. Each of the nodes on the network, on receipt of the multicast message, can transmit a one-hop multicast message containing a topological ping to its neighboring nodes. A neighboring node receiving a topological ping will store information relating to the link quality between the sender and neighboring nodes. After network traffic related to the topology discovery has quieted, the neighboring nodes sends the stored information to the gateway, without any processing by the node which sent the topological ping. All nodes may also implement a randomized delay both before sending the topological ping, and/or before sending the stored information to the gateway, to minimize the opportunity for data collision of messages relating to topological discovery.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuation device (22) for a system (20) including an emergency ram air turbine (21). Said device includes a ram (22) extending along a longitudinal axis (29) and including: a cylinder (30) configured to be connected to an aircraft structure (23) and a piston (33) extending into the cylinder (30) and defining two chambers (31, 32) in the latter. The piston (33) is equipped with a rod (33a) partially extending outside the cylinder (30). Said rod portion extending outside the cylinder (30) is configured to be connected to the emergency ram air turbine (21). The piston (33) is configured to move, relative to the cylinder (30), between a retracted position and a released position, wherein the length of the portion (33b) of the rod (33a) extending outside the cylinder (30) is greater than in the retracted position.

Abstract: Methods for operating amplifiers and related devices. In some embodiments, a method for amplifying a signal can include partially amplifying a signal with a common amplification stage. The method can further include providing a bias signal to a selected one of a plurality of dedicated amplification stages each coupled to the common amplification stage and including an output node, such that the selected dedicated amplification stage further amplifies the partially amplified signal and provides the further amplified signal at the respective output node.

Abstract: A stator for a rotating electric machine includes a laminate stack having a plurality of slots open towards an air gap between the stator and a rotor of the electric machine. A winding includes coils which have turns that pass through the slots of the laminate stack. The turns of the coils are electrically insulated the within the slots from each other and from the laminate stack by a ceramic material.

Abstract: A system for separating a multiphase well stream into a solids fraction, a water fraction, an oil fraction and a gas fraction includes a transportable support surface; a solids separator which is mounted on the support surface and is configured to receive the multiphase well stream and separate the well stream into a first heavy fraction primarily comprising the solids fraction and a first light fraction primarily comprising the gas, oil and water fractions; and a multiphase fluid separator which is mounted on the support surface and includes a first separator section and a second separator section which is positioned vertically below and connected directly to the first separator section. The first separator section is configured to receive the first light fraction and separate the first light fraction into a second light fraction primarily comprising the gas fraction and a second heavy fraction primarily comprising the oil and water fractions.