Abstract: A connection to releasably connect and disconnect to a pipe to a fitting provides a pipe fitting body for receiving a pipe and a retaining ring located within the fitting body for retaining and releasing the pipe. The retaining ring has axially extending resilient retaining tabs, each of which has a radially inwardly extending portion for engaging the pipe, and, a radially outwardly extending portion which extends through corresponding radial openings in the fitting body. When the pipe is inserted into the fitting body to an inserted position and the retaining ring is in the first locked axial position, the radially inwardly extending portions engage and retain the pipe in the inserted position.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a transaction card comprising a card body having a slot. A first portion of the slot is formed at a first angle, and a third portion of the slot is formed at a third angle. A card body may be fabricated by positioning the card body at a first angle with respect to a cutter, creating a first portion of a slot at the first angle by at least one of translating the card body across the cutter or translating the cutter across the card body, stopping the translating of the card body, rotating the card body to a third angle to create a second portion of the slot; and creating a third portion of the slot at the third angle by at least one of translating the card body across the cutter or translating the cutter across the card body.

Abstract: A ground engagement tool, such as a universal coulter, with an integrated offset to facilitate multiple mounting configurations. In some embodiments, the ground engagement tool includes a polygonal shank, defining, for example, an octagonal or hexagonal cross-section. The polygonal shank enables rotational offset to be secured in discrete rotational orientations. A lower bracket is mounted to a spindle, providing an angular displacement range for angular deflection of the ground engagement tool. The spindle includes a key structure that complements the angular orientations of the polygonal shank so that the lower bracket can be compensated for the rotational offset. A rotational indexing plate enables selection of one of a plurality of angular displacement ranges. Retention rods may be implemented for setting a depth of the tool. A dirt deflector may also be provided, dimensioned to prevent spewing dirt from landing on adjacent plant rows and to prevent fouling in muddy conditions.

Abstract: A connection to releasably connect and disconnect to a pipe to a fitting provides a pipe fitting body for receiving a pipe and a retaining ring located within the fitting body for retaining and releasing the pipe. The retaining ring has axially extending resilient retaining tabs, each of which has a radially inwardly extending portion for engaging the pipe, and, a radially outwardly extending portion which extends through corresponding radial openings in the fitting body. When the pipe is inserted into the fitting body to an inserted position and the retaining ring is in the first locked axial position, the radially inwardly extending portions engage and retain the pipe in the inserted position.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a transaction card comprising a card body having a slot. A first portion of the slot is formed at a first angle, and a third portion of the slot is formed at a third angle. A card body may be fabricated by positioning the card body at a first angle with respect to a cutter, creating a first portion of a slot at the first angle by at least one of translating the card body across the cutter or translating the cutter across the card body, stopping the translating of the card body, rotating the card body to a third angle to create a second portion of the slot; and creating a third portion of the slot at the third angle by at least one of translating the card body across the cutter or translating the cutter across the card body.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a composite object with a computer-controlled apparatus, and the apparatus therefor. The comprises a reservoir containing liquid, curable first material, means to selectively solidify the first material and means to selectively deposit a second material. The method involves the steps of selectively depositing portions of the second material, and selectively solidifying portions of the first material, such that the solidified portions of the first material and the deposited portions of the second material form the composite object.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket that clamps onto a first axis includes a rod defining a second, orthogonal axis upon which a pivot block is mounted. The pivot block includes two perpendicular splined apertures which may receive a fishing rod holder that has a splined shaft to fix the azimuth orientation of the rod holder in the pivot block. The fishing rod holder has a clevis which receives a perforated ear of a rod retaining tube. A fastener clamps the retaining tube in the clevis at a desired elevation angle. The retaining tube has other features which may coddle a reel mounted on a fishing rod. The azimuth options of the spline interface and the elevation adjustment of the clevis joint provide second and third adjustable axes for orienting a fishing pole from an attachment point on any railing or stanchion or post on a vessel.

Abstract: A tool bar and hydraulic system for a large scale agricultural implement. The tool bar includes opposed pivotable wings that are extended in a field configuration and retracted in a transport configuration. In some embodiments, each pivotable wing includes two lift assist assemblies for aiding in the execution of turns in the field, and for aiding in the transport of the agricultural implement. The tool bar may be configured to compensate for twist of the pivotable wings when in the transport configuration. The hydraulic system is configured to stiffen the tool bar assembly for lift assist during field operation and to flex the tool bar into a folded configuration for transport.

Abstract: A degradation-resistant photovoltaic device is provided. The device includes an active area and at least one photovoltaic cell located in the active area. The photovoltaic cell has an elongated shape with a characteristic width and a characteristic length. The characteristic length is greater than the characteristic width and an average distance from the photovoltaic cell to any edge of the active area is greater than the characteristic width.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an object using an additive manufacturing process. The method involves a computer-controlled apparatus including a fabrication head for selectively fabricating material and a build area for receiving the fabricated material, and comprises the steps of the apparatus receiving computer instructions relating to the object geometry, and moving the fabrication head and the build area relative to each other, and selectively operating the fabrication head, to fabricate at least one bead of material in the build area corresponding with the object geometry, whereby the at least one bead has non-uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the thermal energy management of systems of electrically powered vehicles (EVs), which enhance the mission capabilities, or performance. The method includes an approach in which thermal energy harvesting, dissipation, storage, and distribution operate in concert. The method concurrently enables, immediate and longer-term management, including storage of thermal energy for subsequent use. The apparatus, includes the multi-functional integration of thermal energy storage, for the benefit of enhanced EV form, capabilities or performances. The apparatus includes connecting elements which provide selective, thermal conduction pathways, which link the management system. The thermal conductive pathways may be actuated in response to temperature, or by other activation means. Thermally managed systems which require persistent heating, or cooling or maintenance within a specified range, are addressed.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket that clamps onto a first axis includes a rod defining a second, orthogonal axis upon which a pivot block is mounted. The pivot block includes two perpendicular splined apertures which may receive a fishing rod holder that has a splined shaft to fix the azimuth orientation of the rod holder in the pivot block. The fishing rod holder has a clevis which receives a perforated ear of a rod retaining tube. A fastener clamps the retaining tube in the clevis at a desired elevation angle. The retaining tube has other features which may coddle a reel mounted on a fishing rod. The azimuth options of the spline interface and the elevation adjustment of the clevis joint provide second and third adjustable axes for orienting a fishing pole from an attachment point on any railing or stanchion or post on a vessel.

Abstract: An example method includes determining a point cloud representation of surfaces within an environment. The method further includes providing for display of a graphical interface that shows a model of the surfaces within the environment based on the point cloud representation. The method additionally includes receiving input data indicating one or more positions for one or more virtual sensors on the graphical interface corresponding to one or more physical positions within the environment. The method also includes determining one or more occluded regions within the environment, where the one or more occluded regions are predicted to be occluded from view by one or more sensors positioned at the one or more physical positions within the environment. The method also includes providing for display in the graphical interface of a graphical representation of the one or more occluded regions within the model of the surfaces within the environment.

Abstract: A hydro-thermal exchange unit (HTEU) for desalinating feed water in accordance with a humidification-dehumidification includes feed water, fresh water and gas conduit circuits for transporting feed water, fresh water, and gas, respectively. The unit also includes an evaporator through which a portion of the feed water conduit and the gas conduit pass. The evaporator causes evaporation of a portion of the feed water to produce vapor that is transported through the gas conduit. The unit also includes a condenser through which a portion of the gas conduit and the fresh water conduit pass. The condenser has input and output ports for coupling the gas and fresh water conduit circuits. The condenser extracts moisture from the vapor transported therethrough by the gas conduit. The extracted moisture is discharged through the fresh water conduit.

Abstract: Provided are photoacoustic imaging contrast agents that include at least one radiation-absorbing component comprising a bacteriochlorin, a metallobacteriochlorin, a derivative thereof, or a combination thereof. Also provided are methods for using the disclosed photoacoustic imaging contrast agents either singly or in combination for generating an image of a volume, optionally a subject or a body part, cell, tissue, or organ thereof. Further provided are compositions and methods for multiplex photoacoustic imaging of a volume, optionally a subject or a body part, cell, tissue, or organ thereof using photoacoustic imaging contrast agents that include a plurality of the presently disclosed bacteriochlorins, metallobacteriochlorins, and/or derivatives thereof simultaneously.

Abstract: An agricultural implement with a folding tool bar arrangement for an improved, narrow frontal profile when in a transport configuration. The tool bar is folded in multi-planar manner to achieve frontal profiles that are substantially reduced relative to conventional folding tool bars. The reduced frontal profile enables operators to provide right-of-way to passing vehicles on standard roadways without need for encroaching the shoulder or ditch of the roadway.