Abstract: A computer-implemented method, executed by data processing hardware of a robot, includes receiving a three-dimensional point cloud of sensor data for a space within an environment about the robot. The method includes receiving a selection input indicating a user-selection of a target object represented in an image corresponding to the space. The target object is for grasping by an end-effector of a robotic manipulator of the robot. The method includes generating a grasp region for the end-effector of the robotic manipulator by projecting a plurality of rays from the selected target object of the image onto the three-dimensional point cloud of sensor data. The method includes determining a grasp geometry for the robotic manipulator to grasp the target object within the grasp region. The method includes instructing the end-effector of the robotic manipulator to grasp the target object within the grasp region based on the grasp geometry.

Abstract: Data processing hardware of a robot performs operations to identify a door within an environment. A robotic manipulator of the robot grasps a feature of the door on a first side facing the robot. When the door opens in a first direction toward the robot, the robotic manipulator exerts a pull force to swing the door in the first direction, a leg of the robot moves to a position that blocks the door from swinging in the second direction, the robotic manipulator contacts the door on a second side opposite the first side, and the robotic manipulator exerts a door opening force on the second side as the robot traverses a doorway corresponding to the door. When the door opens in a second direction away from the robot, the robotic manipulator exerts the door opening force on the first side as the robot traverses the doorway.

Abstract: A method for operating a liquid droplet dispensation system is provided. The method includes dispensing a first droplet of a first fluid sample from a reservoir at a first pressure, measuring a first velocity of the first droplet, and measuring a first mass of the first droplet. The method further includes dispensing a second droplet of the first fluid sample from the reservoir at a second pressure, measuring a second velocity of the second droplet, and measuring a second mass of the second droplet. The method further includes dispensing a droplet of a second fluid sample from the reservoir at a third pressure, measuring a third velocity of the droplet of the second fluid sample, and determining a mass of the droplet of the second fluid sample based upon the first, second and third velocities, the first, second and third pressures, and the first and second masses.

Abstract: An inner core barrel assembly incorporates an inner core tube. A body is connected to the inner core tube with a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is configured to maintain a fixed rotational orientation with the inner core tube. The body includes a flow path for liquid within the inner core tube to flow as the inner core barrel assembly descends through a drill string. a core orientation system is contained within the body and positioned within the inner core tube.

Abstract: An endoscopic system having a shaft, a sheath disposed at least partially inside the shaft having a distal end with a leading surface and an inner surface, the leading surface at the distal end of the sheath having rounded edges so as to be atraumatic, an instrument at least partially inside the sheath and movable relative to the sheath along a longitudinal direction of the sheath, the inner surface being sloped so as to deflect the instrument at a predetermined angle as it is moved into contact with the inner surface and out of the sheath, and the sheath being rotatable relative to the shaft so as to change the direction at which the instrument extends from the sheath.

Abstract: A fabric barrier for an aircraft compartmental barrier includes a fabric barrier portion and a flexible crosspiece, wherein at least part of one edge of the fabric barrier portion terminates at the flexible crosspiece, wherein the flexible crosspiece is adapted to fit into and be retained within a partially covered groove, wherein the partially covered groove includes a pair of opposing flange portions covering a groove whereby a central longitudinal portion of the groove remains uncovered, wherein the flexible crosspiece is adapted to be released from the partially covered groove by passing between the pair of opposing flange portions during a decompression event. A decompression system for an aircraft compartmental barrier includes said fabric barrier, and a method for isolating two internal volumes within an aircraft using said decompression system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting sample data from a liquid droplet dispensation system is provided.

Abstract: An inner core barrel assembly incorporates an inner core tube. A body is connected to the inner core tube with a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is configured to maintain a fixed rotational orientation with the inner core tube. The body includes a flow path for liquid within the inner core tube to flow as the inner core barrel assembly descends through a drill string. a core orientation system is contained within the body and positioned within the inner core tube.

Abstract: A collapsible air filter assembly for a heating and ventilation air conditioner (HVAC) system includes a filter element, and a frame supporting the filter element. The frame includes at least two edges each including a respective spring element configured to be moveable between an open state and a bent state. A compressible air filter assembly for an (HVAC) system includes a filter medium having rounded pleats configured to collapse and rebound in a controlled and repeatable manner between a compressed state and an original uncompressed state. A soft-wrapped filter assembly includes a frame in a box configuration. The frame includes rigid edges and openings to permit airflow. A filter element is encased by the frame. Flexible edge covers mounted on respective edges of the frame to provide an air seal in an HVAC system.

Abstract: This document presents an apparatus for a flexible air filter media that can be configured for shipping and storage having one or more flexible inserts mounted to the filter media along one or more portions of the accordion folds of the air filter material. The current invention permits the air filter apparatus to fold along both X and Y axes, create a tri-fold, and bend in a manner that provides for a much smaller volume for shipping purposes. The invention also permits attaching the flexible material to the center of the filter media and also inserts which allow sections of the air filter media to be nested one into another to reduce both shipping and storage volume.

Abstract: A system of secure data packets for transmission over a packet switched network includes an expiring Hash-based Message Authentication Code (HMAC) appended to the data packet. The expiring HMAC is calculated based on a shared secret and a clock time. A receiving network application or firewall with the shared secret validates the secure data packets based on a comparison of the expiring HMAC to the receiving network or application's own calculation of a valid HMAC based on the shared secret and the clock time. Applications executing on the receiving and sending networks do not need modification to use the secure data packet protocol because HMAC appending, validation, and removal may all occur at network boundaries on firewalls. Protected host endpoints may serve client endpoints using expiring HMAC data packets and other validation information based on security data stored on a shared ledger such as nonce values encountered by the network.

Abstract: An air filter assembly includes a filter element having at least one variable dimension, and a frame for engaging and supporting the filter element. The frame may include a plurality of linear segments forming a rectangular configuration, and a plurality of clips for connecting the linear segments together at corners thereof. The linear segments may be L-channel segments, C-channel segments, or may be of other form. Clips may be used for connecting the linear segments together at the corners. The filter element may have a pattern of creases or fold lines to facilitate folding thereof from an expanded configuration to a reduced configuration. A grate may be included for spanning an area bounded by the frame to support the filter element. The grate may have multiple arms and a central hub. An edge treatment may form a seal between the filter element and the frame.

Abstract: This document presents an apparatus for a flexible air filter media that can be configured for shipping and storage having one or more flexible inserts mounted to the filter media along one or more portions of the accordion folds of the air filter material. The current invention permits the air filter apparatus to fold along both X and Y axes, create a tri-fold, and bend in a manner that provides for a much smaller volume for shipping purposes. The invention also permits attaching the flexible material to the center of the filter media and also inserts which allow sections of the air filter media to be nested one into another to reduce both shipping and storage volume.

Abstract: An air filter assembly includes a filter element having at least one variable dimension, and a frame for engaging and supporting the filter element. The frame may include a plurality of linear segments forming a rectangular configuration, and a plurality of clips for connecting the linear segments together at corners thereof. The linear segments may be L-channel segments, C-channel segments, or may be of other form. Clips may be used for connecting the linear segments together at the corners. The filter element may have a pattern of creases or fold lines to facilitate folding thereof from an expanded configuration to a reduced configuration. A grate may be included for spanning an area bounded by the frame to support the filter element. The grate may have multiple arms and a central hub. An edge treatment may form a seal between the filter element and the frame.

Abstract: Collapsible filter assembly includes a filter medium element and a frame at least partially surrounding the filter medium element. The frame and filter media element are configured to vary in at least two dimensions by folding or unfolding. In at least on example, the filter medium element is rectangularly pleated or round pleated. Upon removal of the filter assembly from packaging and other restraints, the filter assembly may naturally expand with regard to footprint and volume, with some manual assistance being expected of a typical user in unfolding from an area-reduced configuration to an area-expanded configuration, and from a volumetrically reduced configuration to a volumetrically expanded configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for facilitating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air filter replacement on at least one computing device. One method includes identifying interface requirements for a set of services to be implemented between service oriented architecture (SOA) front-end components and SOA back-end components. One of the SOA front-end components is configured to communicate with a home automation system of a first user and one of the SOA front-end components is configured to communicate with a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the first user. One of the SOA back-end components is configured to communicate with a weather service database and one of the SOA back-end components is configured to communicate with an order fulfillment service. The SOA front-end components are operable to be combined with the SOA back-end components to form an operable SOA solution.

Abstract: A lock is provided for a secondary aircraft cockpit barrier. The lock has a locking tongue, a cavity for receiving the locking tongue, a locking retainer for retaining the locking tongue in the cavity, and a damped locking tongue releasing mechanism for releasing the locking retainer thereby unlocking the locking tongue from the cavity. The damped locking tongue releasing mechanism is damped such that releasing the locking retainer requires at least about 5 seconds.

Abstract: A lock is provided for a secondary aircraft cockpit barrier. The lock has a locking tongue, a cavity for receiving the locking tongue, a locking retainer for retaining the locking tongue in the cavity, and a damped locking tongue releasing mechanism for releasing the locking retainer thereby unlocking the locking tongue from the cavity. The damped locking tongue releasing mechanism is damped such that releasing the locking retainer requires at least about 5 seconds.

Abstract: A blockchain file system provides access to a data storage volume on a blockchain. The blockchain volume is mounted by the host computing system in the same way as a conventional data storage volume from the perspective of the user space applications. The host computing system includes a local write-ahead blockchain journal that links bundles of mutations to the filesystem related to filesystem operations into a chain of digital signatures. One or more of the mutation bundles are included in a signed blockchain transaction that is broadcast to a network of the blockchain that, when confirmed into the blockchain, will carry out the filesystem operations on the blockchain data storage volume. Also provided is a novel blockchain addressing scheme, copy-on-write functionality, and de-duplication features write-ahead filesystem journal.

Abstract: An improved wheel chock system for preventing excessive movement of tires, wheels, and other rollable objects, having two cooperating members connected via a connector permitting pivotal movement by at least one of the cooperating members about the connector. The cooperating members each have a handle at their one end for actuating wheel chocks retained at their other end throughout a range between a fully open condition where the wheel chocks are spaced away from each other, and a fully closed condition where the wheel chocks are spaced adjacent to one another.