Abstract: Combine harvesters are provided for use in harvesting seed corn from corn plants in fields. In connection therewith, a method for producing such seed corn from the corn plants, for use in growing subsequent corn plants, includes measuring a moisture content of corn kernels on ears of the corn plants in the field and removing, by one of the combine harvesters, the ears of corn from the corn plants when the moisture content satisfies a threshold moisture content. The method then includes separating the corn kernels from cobs of the ears of corn onboard the combine harvester and collecting the separated corn kernels for use as seed corn, whereby one or more subsequent corn plants can be grown from the collected corn kernels.

Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. A sensor pod may have an effective field of view created by individual sensors with overlapping fields of view. The sensor pod system may include sensors of different types and modalities. Sensor pods of the sensor pod system may be modularly installed on a vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle and collect and provide data of the environment during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sprinkler informational plug is provided. The plug includes a cap, a shaft, and a key. The cap includes a plurality of grips disposed about peripheral surface of the cap. The shaft is tapered between the cap and the key. The key includes a first bit and a second bit extending from the key. The plug is configured to be inserted through a cover and to engage a lock plate of the sprinkler to secure the plug to the sprinkler.

Abstract: A slanted aircraft seat privacy panel may include a body. The body may be defined by a contour line along at least a portion of a height of the body. The contour line may be a straight line slanted at an angle relative to a vertical line. The vertical line may be defined relative to a floor of the aircraft cabin. The contour line being slanted may generate increased shoulder space in the passenger compartment in the aircraft cabin. The increased shoulder space in the passenger compartment may use a portion of non-fully utilized space in an adjacent passenger compartment in the aircraft cabin. The passenger compartment and the adjacent passenger compartment may be offset relative to an aisle in the aircraft cabin. A portion of each of the passenger compartment and the adjacent passenger compartment may be formed by the slanted aircraft seat privacy panel.

Abstract: Techniques are described for cleaning sensors of a vehicle. An attribute of the surrounding environment (e.g., type of precipitation, intensity of precipitation, etc.) is determined along with orientations and/or attributes of the sensors (e.g. fields-of-view, focal lengths, spectral ranges, etc). Cleaning frequencies are then be determined based, at least in part, on the attribute of the environment together with the orientations and/or attributes of the sensors. Cleaning elements are then activated at the determined frequencies to clean the sensors. In some examples, the cleaning frequencies may be determined based additionally on an attribute of travel of the vehicle (e.g. direction of travel of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle, etc.).

Abstract: A triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) is described. The TPMS is adjustable and tunable depending on desired breathability, vibration performance, weight reduction, pressure distribution, and the like. The TPMS may be used in a cushion of a passenger seat. The cushion may be used for one or more locations of the passenger seat, including a head rest cushion, a back rest cushion, a seat pan cushion, and the like. the TPMS may include a cylindrical gyroid. Each of the cushions may include multiple of the cylindrical gyroids.

Abstract: An irrigation device is provided with an indicator that may be converted to indicate a condition, such as use with non-potable fluid. The irrigation device includes an inlet, and outlet, and a body defining a flow path from the inlet to the outlet. It further includes a cover with a removable section, and an indicator at least partially under the removable cover. The indicia indicate a condition of the irrigation device, such as being used with non-potable fluid. In one state, the cover is intact and the indicia are not exposed. In another state, the removable section has been removed and the indicia are at least partially exposed.

Abstract: Surrogate training can include receiving a parameterization of a physical system, where the physical system includes real physical components and the parameterization having corresponding target property in the physical system. The parameterization can be input into a neural network, where the neural network generates a different dimensional parameterization based on the input parameterization. The different dimensional parameterization can be input to a physical model that approximates the physical system. The physical model can be run using the different dimensional parameterization, where the physical model generates an output solution based on the different dimensional parameterization input to the physical model. Based on the output solution and the target property, the neural network can be trained to generate the different dimensional parameterization.

Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. A sensor pod may have an effective field of view created by individual sensors with overlapping fields of view. The sensor pod system may include sensors of different types and modalities. Sensor pods of the sensor pod system may be modularly installed on a vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle and collect and provide data of the environment during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A shoelace tightening system for singlehanded tightening of a shoelace on a shoe. The shoelace tightening system includes a shoelace, a pull tab and a fastening system. The shoelace is threaded through eyelets on both sides of the shoe's throat, with a pull tab slidably secured to a continuous free length of shoelace extending between the exit eyelets. The pull tab is operable for pulling the shoelace taut with a single hand, and fastenable to the shoe upper at a location that keeps the shoelace taut.

Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. A sensor pod may include a housing and extend from a portion of a body of a vehicle. The sensor pod housing may have energy absorbing structures configured to absorb and dissipate energy during an impact in order to protect a pedestrian.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of monuments for installation in an aircraft passenger cabin. Each monument is multi-use in that the monument serves to accommodate a wheelchair and provide at least one additional function. In embodiments, the monument includes an interior space dedicated for receiving and positioning a wheelchair in an unfolded state, for instance an occupied wheelchair during taxi-takeoff, and landing (TTOL) and during flight. In embodiments, the monuments include storage compartments, direct access to an exterior window, tray table assemblies, etc. In embodiments, the monuments are configured to be positioned adjacent to at least one aisle for accessibility, and to a seat row including a passenger seat reserved for a caregiver. The monuments disclosed herein enhance the travel experience for a passenger with reduced mobilities (PRM), as well as increase flexibility in cabin designs.

Abstract: An irrigation device is provided with an indicator that may be converted to indicate a condition, such as use with non-potable fluid. The irrigation device includes an inlet, and outlet, and a body defining a flow path from the inlet to the outlet. It further includes a cover with a removable section, and an indicator at least partially under the removable cover. The indicia indicate a condition of the irrigation device, such as being used with non-potable fluid. In one state, the cover is intact and the indicia are not exposed. In another state, the removable section has been removed and the indicia are at least partially exposed.

Abstract: A universal passenger seat system includes a system controller and a physical connection interface with a standardized communication protocol for coupling the system controller with seating hardware, at least one peripheral device, and at least one network connection. The system controller can also be in communication with a biometric sensor, a physiological sensor, and/or a situational data sensor. An artificial intelligence engine is communicatively coupled to or embedded within the system controller. The artificial intelligence engine is configured to determine a passenger status based on data received from the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor, and/or the situational data sensor and is further configured to generate one or more communication signals based on the data. For example, the communication signals can include control signals for the seating hardware, information signals for peripheral devices, or status signals for transmission via the network connection.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cushion material is disclosed. The cushion material is configured to be 3D-printable. The cushion material includes a plurality of gyroid lattice structures configured to be 3D-printable. The plurality of gyroid lattice structures are aligned along, and with respect to, a surface of the cushion material. In some embodiments, a method for providing a cushion material that is capable of being 3D printed is disclosed. The method includes generating a design of the cushion material comprising a variable mechanical stiffness across a surface of the cushion material. The method further includes producing the cushion material via additive manufacturing based on the design. Generating the design includes generating a layout design of a plurality of tube-like shaped gyroid lattice structures of the cushion material aligned with the surface of the cushion material.

Abstract: A seat usage prevention device is disclosed. The seat usage prevention deice includes at least one device component being configured to interact with one or more seat components of a first seat. The device component is configured to prevent usage of at least one of a seat pan or seatback of the first seat. The device component further separates a second seat from at least a third seat, wherein the third seat is proximate to at least one of the first seat or the second seat. The seat usage prevention device may include a device component that further includes a cushion, a base, an amenity console, or a vertical separator, or combination thereof.

Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. The sensor pod system may include a cleaning system to clean sensing surfaces of sensor pods during operation. The sensor pod system may include sensors of different types and modalities. Sensor pods of the sensor pod system may be modularly installed on a vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle and collect and provide data of the environment during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A passenger cabin layout including a closet and a closet positionable in a cabin such as an aircraft passenger cabin. The closet includes a first compartment for accommodating a wheelchair, such as an occupied wheelchair, in an unfolded condition, wherein the first compartment is enterable from an aisle in the cabin, such as a branch aisle extending from a door of the aircraft. The closet further includes a second compartment for storing items. In some embodiments, the first compartment is further enterable from a second branch aisle forward of at least one passenger seat, such as a seat row facing the closet. The first compartment is configured to accommodate a personal wheelchair and in some embodiments includes a floor pallet for securing the wheelchair in place in atop the pallet.

Abstract: An irrigation device is provided with an indicator that may be converted to indicate a condition, such as use with non-potable fluid. The irrigation device includes an inlet, and outlet, and a body defining a flow path from the inlet to the outlet. It further includes a cover with a removable section, and an indicator at least partially under the removable cover. The indicia indicate a condition of the irrigation device, such as being used with non-potable fluid. In one state, the cover is intact and the indicia are not exposed. In another state, the removable section has been removed and the indicia are at least partially exposed.