Abstract: A tethered device for prevention and recovery of a vehicle component (e.g., a catalytic converter) is provided herein. The tethered device comprises a housing having an exterior surface and defining an interior cavity. The tethered device further comprises an electronic component disposed within the interior cavity. The tethered device further comprises a plurality of spacers extending from the exterior surface and configured to be adjacent to the vehicle component. The plurality of spacers defines a channel configured to promote airflow between the tethered device and the vehicle component thereby minimizing heat transfer between the tethered device and the vehicle component.

Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a base portion disposed at a door handle region of a vehicular door, a handle portion attached at the base portion, a radar unit, and a heat dissipating element. The interior portion of the handle portion includes a first zone and a second zone separated from the first zone by a thermally insulating barrier. The radar unit is disposed at and generates heat at the first zone of the interior portion of the handle portion. The heat dissipating element includes a heat pipe. A first end of the heat pipe is in thermal conductivity with the radar unit within the first zone, and a second end of the heat pipe distal from the first end is disposed in the second zone. The heat pipe is configured to dissipate heat from the first zone to the second zone.

Abstract: A process for the rapid fabrication of a sorbent hollow fiber membrane (HFM) with a very high metal organic framework (MOF) content as well as the apparatus to contain such fibers for the purposes of sequestering and separating chemicals is described. Herein we developed a process to rapidly prototype meters long HFM batches with a high MOF content for sequestering and filtration. The HFM produced herein can be tailored to precisely sequester chemical of a hazardous nature which may include chemical warfare agents (CWA) or toxic industrial chemicals (TIC). The HFM are comprised of a polymer-based material that includes a polymeric binder; and one or more porous active materials that adsorb, chemisorb, decompose, or a combination thereof, a hazardous chemical.

Abstract: A process and device for enhancing the chemical protection capability of a collective protection filter whereby the process stream exiting the collective protection filter is passed through an Auxiliary Filter. The auxiliary filter containing an ammonia removal media, such as zirconium hydroxide impregnated with zinc chloride (ZnCl2/Zr(OH)4), an oxidizing media, preferably zirconium hydroxide impregnated with potassium permanganate (KMnO4/Zr(OH)4), and a methyl bromide removal media, preferably activated carbon impregnated with triethylenediamine (TEDA/carbon). The auxiliary filter and process are configured to remove toxic industrial chemicals including NH3, NOx (mixtures of NO and NO2) and CH2O, and CH3Br.

Abstract: A corrugated plastic box and a method for manufacturing a corrugated plastic box from a blank are provided. The method includes the steps of forming rounded edge seals on the perimeter edges of the blank, pre-sealing portions of the blank—including providing air vents to allow trapped air to escape during the pre-sealing process—to form a plurality of areas in which major and minor flap slots and a glue tab are desired, ultrasonically scoring the blank to form a plurality of flap score lines, and cutting the blank through the plurality of pre-sealed flap slots and glue tab, leaving a sealed edge.

Abstract: A modular aircraft includes a plurality of structural elements. The structural elements include a pod module assembly, a wing assembly, and a chassis module. The pod module assembly is configured to be selectively attached to and detached from at least one of the chassis module and the wing module when the aircraft is not in flight. The pod module assembly is configured to transport at least one of a passenger and cargo.

Abstract: A system in which the operation of an electric motor is controlled by electronically controlled switches. The system includes the motor having a run winding and a start winding, a heating component, and a motor control subsystem. A control unit closes a first switch to energize the run winding, closes a second switch to energize the start winding, determines based on an amplitude and a lag time of a current flowing through the motor whether the motor has started and is running normally, and if so, opens the second switch to de-energize the start winding and closes a third switch to activate the heating component. The control unit determines whether the motor has started and is running normally by comparing the real time amplitude and lag time of the current to a plurality of stored amplitudes and lag times associated with different operating conditions.

Abstract: A spark plug having an insulating body defining a longitudinal axis and including a base portion and an obstruction portion, a first electrode including a proximal portion, a sheathed portion and a distal portion, the sheathed portion of the first electrode extending through the base portion of the insulating body, and a second electrode including a proximal portion, a sheathed portion and a distal portion, the sheathed portion of the second electrode extending through the base portion and the obstruction portion of the insulating body, wherein the obstruction portion axially extends beyond the distal portion of the first electrode.

Abstract: A spark plug having an insulating body defining a longitudinal axis and including a base portion and an obstruction portion, a first electrode including a proximal portion, a sheathed portion and a distal portion, the sheathed portion of the first electrode extending through the base portion of the insulating body, and a second electrode including a proximal portion, a sheathed portion and a distal portion, the sheathed portion of the second electrode extending through the base portion and the obstruction portion of the insulating body, wherein the obstruction portion axially extends beyond the distal portion of the first electrode.

Abstract: A system in which the operation of an electric motor is controlled by electronically controlled switches. The system includes the motor having a run winding and a start winding, a heating component, and a motor control subsystem. A control unit closes a first switch to energize the run winding, closes a second switch to energize the start winding, determines based on an amplitude and a lag time of a current flowing through the motor whether the motor has started and is running normally, and if so, opens the second switch to de-energize the start winding and closes a third switch to activate the heating component. The control unit determines whether the motor has started and is running normally by comparing the real time amplitude and lag time of the current to a plurality of stored amplitudes and lag times associated with different operating conditions.

Abstract: A system in which the operation of an electric motor is controlled by electronically controlled switches. The system includes the motor having a run winding and a start winding, a heating component, and a motor control subsystem. A control unit closes a first switch to energize the run winding, closes a second switch to energize the start winding, determines based on an amplitude and a lag time of a current flowing through the motor whether the motor has started and is running normally, and if so, opens the second switch to de-energize the start winding and closes a third switch to activate the heating component. The control unit determines whether the motor has started and is running normally by comparing the real time amplitude and lag time of the current to a plurality of stored amplitudes and lag times associated with different operating conditions.

Abstract: A tactical rail arrangement for a firearm includes a tactical rail configured to secure one or more firearm accessories to a firearm, wherein the tactical rail includes a plurality of non-contact optical connections configured to transfer optical signals between one or more accessories mounted to the tactical rail and/or to one or more electrical systems of the firearm.

Abstract: An example method can comprise receiving a plurality of signal characteristic measurements from each of a plurality of sensors disposed at geographically distinct premises or geographically distinct locations throughout a premises. A prioritized sensor (e.g., prioritized relative to other sensors) can be determined from among the plurality of sensors, and the signal characteristic measurement from the prioritized sensor can be compared to a set of predefined signal characteristics. A network device can adjust one or more transmission characteristics based on the received signal characteristic measurements.

Abstract: A system in which the operation of an electric motor is controlled by electronically controlled switches. The system includes the motor having a run winding and a start winding, a heating component, and a motor control subsystem. A control unit closes a first switch to energize the run winding, closes a second switch to energize the start winding, determines based on an amplitude and a lag time of a current flowing through the motor whether the motor has started and is running normally, and if so, opens the second switch to de-energize the start winding and closes a third switch to activate the heating component. The control unit determines whether the motor has started and is running normally by comparing the real time amplitude and lag time of the current to a plurality of stored amplitudes and lag times associated with different operating conditions.

Abstract: An antenna assembly comprises a substrate, an impedance matching network, and a driven antenna element. The substrate includes an insulating layer and a first electrically conductive layer disposed on a top surface of the insulating layer. The impedance matching network includes a balun, a first resistor, and a second resistor. The balun converts unbalanced signals to balanced signals and vice-versa. The first and second resistors are electrically connected to the balun. The driven antenna element is formed from the first electrically conductive layer and disposed on the top surface of the insulating layer. The driven antenna element includes a body, a first arm, and a second arm with the first and second arms spaced apart from another, parallel to one another, and physically connected to opposing ends of the body. The first arm is electrically connected to the first resistor. The second arm is electrically connected to the second resistor.

Abstract: An antenna assembly comprises a substrate, an impedance matching network, and a driven antenna element. The substrate includes an insulating layer and a first electrically conductive layer disposed on a top surface of the insulating layer. The impedance matching network includes a balun, a first resistor, and a second resistor. The balun converts unbalanced signals to balanced signals and vice-versa. The first and second resistors are electrically connected to the balun. The driven antenna element is formed from the first electrically conductive layer and disposed on the top surface of the insulating layer. The driven antenna element includes a body, a first arm, and a second arm with the first and second arms spaced apart from another, parallel to one another, and physically connected to opposing ends of the body. The first arm is electrically connected to the first resistor. The second arm is electrically connected to the second resistor.

Abstract: A data acquisition device that can be coupled with any motor, even those already in service, to automatically monitor the operation of the motor and provide alerts when the motor is in need of repair or replacement. The data acquisition device senses conditions of the motor and transmits sensor data to a computer system or other remote monitoring device so that the remote monitoring device can determine if the motor needs to be repaired or replaced. The data acquisition device also acquires location data and sends it to the remote monitoring device so that a technician or other person can quickly locate the motor.

Abstract: A corrugated plastic box and a method for manufacturing a corrugated plastic box from a blank are provided. The method includes the steps of forming rounded edge seals on the perimeter edges of the blank, pre-sealing portions of the blank—including providing air vents to allow trapped air to escape during the pre-sealing process—to form a plurality of areas in which major and minor flap slots and a glue tab are desired, ultrasonically scoring the blank to form a plurality of flap score lines, and cutting the blank through the plurality of pre-sealed flap slots and glue tab, leaving a sealed edge.

Abstract: An in vitro screening system includes a friction assembly including at least one motorized friction structural component configured to engage and remove material on a substrate and an analytics assembly including at least one sensor and circuitry configured to generate cleanser-specific material removal information responsive to a detected response associated with removal of a material on a substrate by the friction structural component.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an electric motor and electronic control for an electric motor are disclosed. An exemplary electric motor comprises a single-phase brushless permanent magnet electric motor. In exemplary embodiments, the electronic motor control is configured to commutate an electric motor at a frequency other than line frequency, perform pulse width modulation, and drive the electric motor with a drive waveform that approximates the counter-electromotive force of the motor.