Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to an automatic cycle of operation can include a cabinet defining an interior and having an access opening providing access to the interior. A tub can be located within the interior and can at least partially define a liquid chamber. A drum is rotatably mounted within the liquid chamber and at least partially defines a treating chamber. A clothes mover is located within the treating chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis. The clothes mover can include a base and a barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive comprises a polylactide homopolymer or copolymer, such as polylactic acid; sulfonated copolyester; and at least one plasticizer, and is compostable. The plasticizer may be a solid plasticizer, such as a benzoate, and a second plasticizer may also be used. The adhesive is suitable for use in a variety of applications, such as case and carton applications, use with burlap or other compostable substrates for tree bulbs or plant seeds, and use with other compostable films, and is especially appropriate for dual-walled paperboard beverage cups. The adhesive demonstrates good bond performance comparable to non-compostable adhesives over a range of temperatures, reflective of the temperatures of hot and cold beverages.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a first planetary device, a second planetary device directly coupled to the first planetary device, a first electromagnetic device at least selectively coupled to the first planetary device and including a first shaft, a second electromagnetic device directly coupled to the second planetary device and including a second shaft, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary device. The first shaft and the second shaft are radially aligned with the first planetary device and the second planetary device. The output shaft is radially aligned with the first planetary device and the second planetary device.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for managing premise-level data communication in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) fiber optic network. An example method includes receiving, by a control system, a message from a new device connected to the WDM fiber optic network, the message including one or more service provider identifiers, a customer identifier, and a customer equipment identifier of the new device. The method further includes transmitting, by the control system, a configuration command to the new device, the configuration command including (i) an indication of which wavelengths the new device may utilize, and (ii) an indication of message types that may be transmitted using each wavelength the new device may utilize. The method further includes causing, by the control system, transmission of a service fee to each service provider associated with a service provider identifier of the one or more service provider identifiers.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for differential power generation. An example method includes receiving, by a control system, telemetry data from a set of devices in an electrical grid and calculating, by the control system, an electrical load for the electrical grid based on the telemetry data. The example method further includes generating, by the control system, a set of power production metrics, identifying, by the control system and based on the calculated electrical load for the electrical grid and the set of power production metrics, an optimal allocation of power production from multiple sources of electricity that supply the electrical grid, and causing, by the control system and based on the optimal allocation of power production from the multiple sources of electricity, adjustment to power production from one or more of the multiple sources of electricity. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for power theft detection. An example method includes receiving, by a control system, telemetry data from a transformer adjacent to a customer premise and a meter at the customer premise and storing, by the control system, the telemetry data in a memory. The example method further includes calculating, by the control system and using the telemetry data, a change in impedance in an electric line segment between the transformer and the meter, and determining, by the control system, whether the change in the impedance in the electric line segment is anomalous. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) security. An example method includes transmitting, by a control system, an authentication request to an active device in a fiber optic network, receiving, by the control system, a message from the active device, the message containing a unique identifier and an authentication key, and performing, by the control system, one or more authentication operations using the unique identifier and the authentication key. The method further includes, in an instance in which the active device is fails to be authenticated, transmitting, by the control system, an encryption key change message to the active device, but in an instance in which the active device is authenticated, transmitting, by the control system, a message to the active device authorizing the active device to communicate. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for predicting causes of changes in power loss along electric line segments. An example method includes receiving, by a control system, telemetry data from a set of devices in an electrical grid and storing, by the control system, the telemetry data in a memory. The example method further includes calculating, by the control system and using the telemetry data, a change in impedance in an electric line segment between two devices from the set of devices and determining, by the control system, a cause of the change in the impedance in the electric line segment between the two devices. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive comprises a polylactide homopolymer or copolymer, such as polylactic acid; sulfonated copolyester; and at least one plasticizer, and is compostable. The plasticizer may be a solid plasticizer, such as a benzoate, and a second plasticizer may also be used. The adhesive is suitable for use in a variety of applications, such as case and carton applications, use with burlap or other compostable substrates for tree bulbs or plant seeds, and use with other compostable films, and is especially appropriate for dual-walled paperboard beverage cups. The adhesive demonstrates good bond performance comparable to non-compostable adhesives over a range of temperatures, reflective of the temperatures of hot and cold beverages.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a first planetary gear set including a first carrier, a second planetary gear set including a second carrier, and a third planetary gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a third carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears. The third planetary gear set is directly coupled to the first carrier and the second carrier. The drive system further includes a first electromagnetic device coupled to the first planetary gear set, a second electromagnetic device coupled to the second planetary gear set, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary gear set.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle include a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, an electric motor supported by the chassis, and a trailer coupled to a rear end of the chassis and configured to be towed by the electrified vehicle. The electric motor is configured to drive at least one of the front axle, the rear axle, or a component of the electrified vehicle. The trailer includes a trailer frame, a trailer axle coupled to the trailer frame, and an energy storage device supported by the trailer frame. The energy storage device includes a plurality of batteries. The energy storage device configured to power the electric motor.

Abstract: A concrete mixer truck includes a chassis, a plurality of tractive assemblies coupled to the chassis, a mixing drum rotatably coupled to the chassis, the mixing drum defining an internal volume configured to contain material and an aperture through which the material can enter and exit the internal volume, an energy storage device positioned at a rear end of the chassis and configured to provide electrical energy, and an electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the energy storage device, where the electromagnetic device is configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy storage device and provide mechanical energy to drive at least one of the plurality of tractive assemblies to propel the concrete mixer truck.

Abstract: A concrete mixer vehicle includes a chassis, a tractive assembly coupled to the chassis and configured to propel the concrete mixer vehicle, a mixing drum rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an electromagnetic device configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy to drive the tractive assembly. In a first configuration, a first battery module is removably coupled to the chassis and configured to provide the electrical energy to the electromagnetic device, and in a second configuration, the first battery module is removed from the chassis and replaced with a second battery module, the second battery module removably coupled to the chassis and configured to provide the electrical energy to the electromagnetic device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

Abstract: A support structure for a ladder assembly of a fire apparatus includes a torque box, a pedestal, and a support plate. The torque box includes a top surface defining an aperture. The pedestal has (i) a lower end received by the aperture of the torque box and (ii) an upper end configured to couple to the ladder assembly. The support plate is positioned along the top surface of the torque box. The support plate includes a first leg and a second leg. The first leg extends from a first side of the support plate and is configured to engage with a first rail of the fire apparatus. The second leg extends from an opposing second side of the support plate and is configured to engage with a second frame rail of the fire apparatus.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes a first planetary gear set including a first carrier, a second planetary gear set including a second carrier, and a third planetary gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a third carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears. The third planetary gear set is directly coupled to the first carrier and the second carrier. The drive system further includes a first electromagnetic device coupled to the first planetary gear set, a second electromagnetic device coupled to the second planetary gear set, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary gear set.

Abstract: A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a torque box coupled to the chassis, a pedestal coupled to the torque box, a ladder assembly coupled to the pedestal, and a stability assembly. The torque box has a front end and a rear end. The pedestal is positioned between the front end and the rear end of the torque box. The stability assembly includes a housing coupled to the chassis and the front end of the torque box, a pair of outriggers received within the housing, and a downrigger coupled to the rear end of the torque box. The pair of outriggers is selectively extendable laterally outward in opposing directions. The downrigger is selectively extendable downward.