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: A drive system includes a first planetary gear set coupled to a first electromagnetic device, a second planetary gear set coupled to a second electromagnetic device and directly coupled to the first planetary gear set, an engine directly coupled to the first planetary gear set with a connecting shaft, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary gear set. The first and second electromagnetic devices include a first shaft and a second shaft, respectively. The connecting shaft extends through the second electromagnetic device and through the second planetary gear set to the first planetary gear set. The first shaft, the second shaft, the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the connecting shaft, and the output shaft are radially aligned, forming a straight-thru transmission arrangement.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first planetary device at least selectively coupled to a first electromagnetic device, a second planetary device coupled to a second electromagnetic device and directly coupled to the first planetary device, an engine directly coupled to the first planetary device with a connecting shaft, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary device. The first and second electromagnetic devices include a first shaft and a second shaft, respectively. The connecting shaft extends through the second electromagnetic device and through the second planetary device to the first planetary device. The first shaft, the second shaft, the first planetary device, the second planetary device, the connecting shaft, and the output shaft are radially aligned, forming a straight-thru transmission arrangement.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes first and second gear sets, a connecting shaft and a first electrical machine coupled to the first gear set, a second electrical machine coupled to the second gear set, an output shaft that transports power from the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine to a tractive element of the vehicle, a first clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first gear set to the output shaft when engaged, and a second clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first gear set to the output shaft when engaged. A carrier of the first gear set is selectively coupled to a carrier of the second gear set. The output shaft is aligned with the connecting shaft, the first electrical machine, and the second electrical machine. The first and second clutches are engaged when the drive system is reconfigured into forward and reverse modes of operation, respectively.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first gear set and a second gear set, each having a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears; a connecting shaft coupling an engine to the first gear set; a first electrical machine coupled to the first gear set; a second electrical machine coupled to the second gear set; an output shaft configured to transport power from the first electrical machine, the second electrical machine, and the engine to a tractive element; and a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier to the output shaft when engaged. The output shaft is aligned with the connecting shaft, the first electrical machine, and the second electrical machine to thereby form a straight-thru transmission arrangement.

Abstract: A visual indicator system including a communications module, a processor, and a visual indicator. The communications module is able to wirelessly receive a condition report from a wirelessly connected device. The processor is able to select a status in response to the condition report received by the communications module. The visual indicator is able to visually indicate a status based upon a selected visual configuration of the visual indicator. The processor is also able to select a particular configuration for the visual indicator based upon the selected status.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first gear set and a second gear set, each including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears, a first electrical machine directly coupled to the first gear set, a second electrical machine directly coupled to the second gear set, a connecting shaft directly coupled to the ring gear of the first gear set, a driveshaft that transports power from the electrical machines to a tractive element, a first clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first gear set and the second gear set to the driveshaft, and at least one of a second clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second electrical machine to the connecting shaft and a third clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second gear set to the driveshaft.

Abstract: A concrete mixer vehicle includes a chassis having a frame member extending in a generally-horizontal direction, an engine, a drum drive transmission coupled to a drum, a drum pedestal having a lower portion coupled to the frame member and an upper portion coupled to the drum drive transmission, and a CNG tank configured to provide fuel to the engine. The CNG tank is positioned in a generally-vertical orientation relative to the frame member. The CNG tank has a length and a width measured along and across the generally-horizontal direction, respectively, and a height measured along a central axis. The height is greater than both the width and the length, and the height and the central axis are disposed in the generally-vertical direction. A lower end of the CNG tank is coupled to the drum pedestal, and an upper end of the CNG tank is coupled to the drum drive transmission.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle includes first and second electrical machines, a transmission, and an electrical energy supply. The transmission includes first and second gear sets, a connecting shaft coupled to the first gear set, a driveshaft configured to transport power from the electrical machines to a tractive element of the vehicle, and a clutch. The first gear set is coupled to the first electrical machine. The second gear set is coupled to the second electrical machine. Carriers of the first and second gear sets are coupled. The clutch selectively rotationally couples the carriers to the driveshaft when engaged. The drive system operates in an electric only configuration whereby the electrical energy supply provides electrical energy to at least one of the electrical machines to drive at least one of the connecting shaft and the driveshaft without a mechanical energy input to the transmission from an engine.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first gear set and a second gear set, each including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears, a first electrical machine coupled to the sun gear of the first gear set, a second electrical machine coupled to the sun gear of the second gear set, a connecting shaft coupled to the ring gear of the first gear set, a driveshaft that transports power from the electrical machines to a tractive element, a first clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft, and at least one of a second clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second electrical machine to the connecting shaft and a third clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second gear set to the driveshaft.

Abstract: A concrete mixer vehicle includes a chassis having a frame member extending in a generally-horizontal direction, an engine coupled to the chassis, and a CNG tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel thereto. The CNG tank is positioned in a generally-vertical orientation relative to the frame member.

Abstract: A data-secure electrical connector is operable to provide electrical power to a portable electronic device via a connector that is capable of transmitting electrical power and electronic data to the device, but without establishing an electronic data connection with the device, while providing an indicia to a user when the data-secure electrical power connection has been made.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first gear set and a second gear set, each including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears, a first electrical machine coupled to the sun gear of the first gear set, a second electrical machine coupled to the sun gear of the second gear set, a connecting shaft coupled to the ring gear of the first gear set, a driveshaft that transports power from the electrical machines to a tractive element, a first clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft, and at least one of a second clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second electrical machine to the connecting shaft and a third clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second gear set to the driveshaft.

Abstract: A power and data housing assembly includes a housing body configured to retain and support an electrical device assembly in the form of a radio frequency (RF) transmitter. The RF transmitter is configured to emit a transmitted RF signal that contains one of data transmissions and power transmissions, and acts as a repeater and/or range-extender or signal redirector for directing wireless power and/or data signals into regions of work areas that otherwise would receive only marginal signals, or none at all.

Abstract: A twist-lock electrical connector includes first and second connector portions each having a respective interface end portion and longitudinal axes. The first connector has a projection and the second connector has a corresponding bore along the connectors' respective longitudinal axes. Two electrical contacts are located at opposite sides of the projection at the first interface end portion, and two other electrical contacts are located at opposite sides of the bore at the second interface end portion. The interface end portions are configured to engage one another at a first rotational orientation in which the bore receives the projection when the first and second longitudinal axes are made substantially coaxial and the connector portions are brought together along their axes. The interface end portions further engage one another at a second rotational orientation in which the first pair of electrical contacts electrically engage the second pair of electrical contacts.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first gear set and a second gear set, each including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears, a first electrical machine directly coupled to the sun gear of the first gear set, a second electrical machine directly coupled to the sun gear of the second gear set, a connecting shaft directly coupling an engine to the ring gear of the first gear set, a driveshaft configured to transport power from the first electrical machine, the second electrical machine, and the engine to a tractive element of the vehicle, and a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft when engaged.

Abstract: A data-secure electrical connector is operable to provide electrical power to a portable electronic device via a connector that is capable of transmitting electrical power and electronic data to the device, but without establishing an electronic data connection with the device, while providing an indicia to a user when the data-secure electrical power connection has been made.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first planetary device at least selectively coupled to a first electromagnetic device, a second planetary device coupled to a second electromagnetic device and directly coupled to the first planetary device, an engine directly coupled to the first planetary device with a connecting shaft, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary device. The first and second electromagnetic devices include a first shaft and a second shaft, respectively. The connecting shaft extends through the second electromagnetic device and through the second planetary device to the first planetary device. The first shaft, the second shaft, the first planetary device, the second planetary device, the connecting shaft, and the output shaft are radially aligned, forming a straight-thru transmission arrangement.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first planetary gear set selectively coupled to a first electromagnetic device, a second planetary gear set coupled to a second electromagnetic device and directly coupled to the first planetary gear set, an engine directly coupled to the first planetary gear set with a connecting shaft, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary gear set. The first and second electromagnetic devices include a first shaft and a second shaft, respectively. The connecting shaft extends through the second electromagnetic device and through the second planetary gear set to the first planetary gear set. The first shaft, the second shaft, the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the connecting shaft, and the output shaft are radially aligned, forming a straight-thru transmission arrangement.