Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources.

Abstract: A secondary power system is configured to connect to a motor vehicle having a powertrain comprising an engine and a first alternator. The secondary power system includes a second alternator connected to the engine, one or more electro-chemical storage devices coupled to the second alternator and configured to be charged by the alternator, and one or more inverter chargers. The inverter chargers may operate in a first mode to provide AC power to loads on the vehicle or in a second mode to receive alternative power and charge the storage devices. In an embodiment, the secondary power system includes multiple storage devices each comprising at least one electro-chemical storage pack and a logic. The storage devices are interconnected by a junction box. The logics within each storage device may selectively disrupt power flow from the junction box upon detection of an error condition.

Abstract: A fan for generating an air current includes a body having an air inlet, and a nozzle connected to the body. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving an air flow from the body and an air outlet from which the air flow is emitted from the fan. The interior passage extends about an opening or bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The body includes a duct having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the duct for drawing the air flow through the duct, and a motor for driving the impeller. An annular guide member extends about the duct for guiding air from the air inlet of the body to the air inlet of the duct. The guide member defines with the duct an annular noise suppression cavity.

Abstract: A fan for generating an air current includes a body having an air inlet, and a nozzle connected to the body. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving an air flow from the body and an air outlet from which the air flow is emitted from the fan. The interior passage extends about an opening or bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The body includes a duct having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the duct for drawing the air flow through the duct, and a motor for driving the impeller. A noise suppression cavity is located beneath the air inlet of the duct. The cavity has an inlet which is located beneath, and is preferably concentric with, the air inlet of the duct.

Abstract: A fan for generating an air current includes a body having an air inlet, and a nozzle connected to the body. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving an air flow from the body and an air outlet from which the air flow is emitted from the fan. The interior passage extends about an opening or bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The body includes a duct having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the duct for drawing the air flow through the duct, and a motor for driving the impeller. A noise suppression cavity is located beneath the air inlet of the duct. The cavity has an inlet which is located beneath, and is preferably concentric with, the air inlet of the duct.

Abstract: A fan for generating an air current includes a body having an air inlet, and a nozzle connected to the body. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving an air flow from the body and an air outlet from which the air flow is emitted from the fan. The interior passage extends about an opening or bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The body includes a duct having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the duct for drawing the air flow through the duct, and a motor for driving the impeller. An annular guide member extends about the duct for guiding air from the air inlet of the body to the air inlet of the duct. The guide member defines with the duct an annular noise suppression cavity.

Abstract: Described is a fan assembly comprising a body comprising an inlet, an outlet, and means for generating an air flow. The fan assembly also comprises a nozzle mountable on the body for receiving the air flow from the body and for emitting the air flow and a nozzle retaining means for releasably retaining the nozzle on the body. The nozzle retaining means has a first configuration in which the nozzle is retained on the body and a second configuration in which the nozzle is released for removal from the body. The fan assembly also comprises a manually actuable member located on the nozzle for effecting movement of the nozzle retaining means from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a body and a nozzle connected to the body. The body includes an impeller, a motor housing, and a motor located within the motor housing for driving the impeller. The impeller has a substantially conical hub connected to the motor, a plurality of curved vanes connected to the outer surface of the hub, and an annular vane connected to the base of the hub. The motor housing has an annular groove for receiving at least the tip of the annular vane, and an annular lip forming a drip edge extending about the motor housing, the annular lip defining an outer peripheral wall of the groove.

Abstract: A method for generating an interactive graphical user interface is performed at a server system remote from a client device. The server system receives, from the client device, user input selecting a first filter, and filters available video programming using one or more search conditions corresponding to the first filter, to identify a first plurality of videos that satisfy the one or more search conditions. The one or more search conditions include a criterion relating to a popularity metric for a social network. The server system generates a user interface that includes a first mosaic of selectable video tiles corresponding to the first plurality of videos. Respective videos of the first plurality of videos are played in respective video tiles of the first mosaic. The server system encodes the user interface as a video stream and transmits the video stream containing the user interface toward the client device for display.

Abstract: A fan for generating an air current includes a body having an air inlet, and a nozzle connected to the body. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving an air flow from the body and an air outlet from which the air flow is emitted from the fan. The interior passage extends about an opening or bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The body includes a duct having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the duct for drawing the air flow through the duct, and a motor for driving the impeller. A noise suppression cavity is located beneath the air inlet of the duct. The cavity has an inlet which is located beneath, and is preferably concentric with, the air inlet of the duct.

Abstract: A fan for generating an air current includes a body having an air inlet, and a nozzle connected to the body. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving an air flow from the body and an air outlet from which the air flow is emitted from the fan. The interior passage extends about an opening or bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The body includes a duct having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the duct for drawing the air flow through the duct, and a motor for driving the impeller. An annular guide member extends about the duct for guiding air from the air inlet of the body to the air inlet of the duct. The guide member defines with the duct an annular noise suppression cavity.

Abstract: A heavy lubricant base stock is made by (a) producing a synthesis gas from natural gas, (b) reacting the H2 and CO in the gas in the presence of a cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, at reaction conditions effective to synthesize waxy hydrocarbons boiling in the heavy lubricant oil range, which are hydrodewaxed it at least two stages, with interstage separation and removal of the lighter material.

Abstract: An auction service is provided that stimulates competition between energy suppliers (i.e., electric power or natural gas). A bidding moderator (Moderator) receives offers from competing suppliers specifying the economic terms each is willing to offer to resellers or customers of resellers for estimated quantities of electric power or gas supply (separate auctions). Each supplier receives feedback from the Moderator based on competitors' offers and has the opportunity to adjust its own offers down or up, depending on whether it wants to encourage or discourage additional energy delivery commitments in a particular geographic area or to a particular customer group. Each supplier's offers can also be changed to reflect each supplier's capacity utilization.