Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated item sortation and container handling. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller, a first item identifier of a first item at an induction portion of a sortation system, determining an order identifier associated with the first item identifier, and determining a first container associated with the order identifier. The method may include causing a first mobile carrier unit to receive the item, and causing the first mobile carrier unit to deliver the first item to the first container.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamically configurable articulating surfaces for mobile carrier units. In one embodiment, an example mobile carrier unit may include a number of tiles that form a surface on which to receive an object, the tiles including a first tile in a first row and a second tile in a first column. The mobile carrier unit may include a first actuator coupled to the first tile and configured to actuate the first tile in a first direction, and a second actuator coupled to the second tile and configured to actuate the second tile in a second direction. A portion of the tiles may be configured to be actuated into angled orientations at or near a perimeter of the object, such that the object is prevented from sliding along the surface past the tiles.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for removable conveyor cartridge assemblies for mobile carrier units. In one embodiment, an example removable assembly for a mobile carrier unit of a sortation system may include a frame, a conveyor belt disposed about the frame, a first sheet metal component coupled to a first side of the frame, the first sheet metal component including a first set of tabs extending from the first sheet metal component, and a tensioning device configured to tension the conveyor belt, the tensioning device having a first screw that engages a first tab of the first set of tabs.

Abstract: Item singulation systems and methods may include an input conveyor, a separation conveyor, and an output conveyor that is positioned orthogonally to the input conveyor. A vision system may determine individual columns of items from among a plurality of items on the input conveyor. Operations of the input conveyor, separation conveyor, and output conveyor may be controlled substantially as a pull system to transfer individual columns of items to the output conveyor, such that singulated items can be transferred by the output conveyor to downstream processes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated item sortation and container handling. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller, a first item identifier of a first item at an induction portion of a sortation system, determining an order identifier associated with the first item identifier, and determining a first container associated with the order identifier. The method may include causing a first mobile carrier unit to receive the item, and causing the first mobile carrier unit to deliver the first item to the first container.

Abstract: Item singulation systems and methods may include an input conveyor, a separation conveyor, a turn conveyor, and an output conveyor that is positioned parallel with the input conveyor. A vision system may determine individual columns of items from among a plurality of items on the input conveyor. Operations of the input conveyor, separation conveyor, turn conveyor, and output conveyor may be controlled substantially as a pull system to transfer individual columns of items to the output conveyor, such that singulated items can be transferred by the output conveyor to downstream processes.

Abstract: A turbine blisk is provided. The turbine blisk includes an inner rim, a plurality of adjacent rotor blades extending radially outward from said inner rim, a shroud segment integrally coupled to each of the plurality of adjacent rotor blades, thereby forming a plurality of adjacent shroud segments, and a gap defined between each of the adjacent shroud segments. The gap has a geometry that facilitates interlocking the plurality of adjacent shroud segments when a torsional force is applied to the plurality of adjacent rotor blades.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for selecting loan payment terms for improved loan quality and risk management. An exemplary embodiment includes storing first loan data corresponding to a first loan to a first borrower. The first loan may have been funded based on an initial financial disclosure that reflects the financial status of the first borrower during an initial time period when the first loan was funded. First payment terms and second payment terms are stored, and one of the first payment terms or the second payment terms is selected based on whether the first borrower provides the updated financial disclosure. The first loan data is processed consistently with the selected payment terms.

Abstract: Mutants of Gram-negative bacteria having outer membranes comprising modified FhuA nanopores absent an N-terminal plug domain are disclosed. The modified FhuA nanopores confer the outer membrane with enhanced permeability.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a circuit breaker are described where a movable bridge connector is employed as part of the conductive path when the circuit breaker is in a closed configuration. When the circuit is opened, the connector is displaced from the two fixed contacts otherwise bridged by the connector. In one such embodiment, the circuit breaker utilizes the electromagnetic forces generated in response to the opening event to break the circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tri-stable flexure mechanism are described where a resilient component is present that serves as both a structural component in the kinematic chain of the mechanism and as energy storing component of the mechanism. The resilient component maintains a movable arm and an input link in either a first stable state or a second stable state when the ends of the resilient component are held in place so that the resilient component has a state of high elastic strain energy. In a third stable state, where the resilient component is in a relaxed state of lower elastic strain energy, the mechanism may be in a tripped state distinct from the closed and open states.

Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided. The rotor assembly includes a rotor shaft and at least one blisk integrally formed with the rotor shaft. The at least one blisk includes an inner rim extending circumferentially about the rotor shaft, and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the inner rim, wherein the rotor shaft and the at least one blisk are defined from a single billet of material.

Abstract: A turbine blisk is provided. The turbine blisk includes an inner rim, a plurality of adjacent rotor blades extending radially outward from said inner rim, a shroud segment integrally coupled to each of the plurality of adjacent rotor blades, thereby forming a plurality of adjacent shroud segments, and a gap defined between each of the adjacent shroud segments. The gap has a geometry that facilitates interlocking the plurality of adjacent shroud segments when a torsional force is applied to the plurality of adjacent rotor blades.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tri-stable flexure mechanism are described where a resilient component is present that serves as both a structural component in the kinematic chain of the mechanism and as energy storing component of the mechanism. The resilient component maintains a movable arm and an input link in either a first stable state or a second stable state when the ends of the resilient component are held in place so that the resilient component has a state of high elastic strain energy. In a third stable state, where the resilient component is in a relaxed state of lower elastic strain energy, the mechanism may be in a tripped state distinct from the closed and open states.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a circuit breaker are described where a movable bridge connector is employed as part of the conductive path when the circuit breaker is in a closed configuration. When the circuit is opened, the connector is displaced from the two fixed contacts otherwise bridged by the connector. In one such embodiment, the circuit breaker utilizes the electromagnetic forces generated in response to the opening event to break the circuit.

Abstract: Shrouded turbine blisks and methods of manufacturing same are provided. A shrouded turbine blisk includes a central disk portion including an axis of rotation, an inner rim, a plurality of airfoils that extends radially outwardly from the inner rim; and a shroud integrally coupled to each of the plurality of airfoils. The shroud includes a plurality of circumferentially-arranged arcuate shroud segments defined at least in part by gaps positioned between adjacent shroud segments. The central disk portion, the inner rim, the plurality of airfoils, and the shroud are defined from a single billet of blisk material.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for distinguishing between a sensor fault and a process fault in a physical system and use the results obtained to update the model. A Bayesian network is designed to probabilistically relate sensor data in the physical system which includes multiple sensors. The sensor data from the sensors in the physical system is collected. A conditional probability table is derived based on the collected sensor data and the design of the Bayesian network. Upon identifying anomalous behavior in the physical system, it is determined whether a sensor fault or a process fault caused the anomalous behavior using belief values for the sensors and processes in the physical system, where the belief values indicate a level of trust regarding the status of its associated sensors and processes not being faulty.