Abstract: A Local Distributed Intelligence Node device configured to monitor and control an electric vehicle charger during a charging session of an electric vehicle includes a wireless transceiver and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive a signal, via the transceiver, from a Local Circuit Supervisor device associated with an electric power grid providing electric power to the electric vehicle charger, and to throttle the amount of charge current supplied to the electric vehicle by the electric vehicle charger in response to receiving the signal.

Abstract: Roof shingles and methods of production thereof are provided. The roof shingles may include ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (“EPDM”). The EPDM may include an outward-facing surface and a substrate-facing surface. The outward-facing surface may include a reveal and a conceal. The reveal may be visible when the roof shingle is installed and the conceal may be covered by an upslope adjacent roof shingle when the roof shingle is installed. The roof shingle may include a reinforcement core. The reinforcement core may include galvanized steel. The reinforcement core may be embedded within the EPDM. The roof shingles may include adhesive sealant. The adhesive sealant may be applied to the substrate-facing surface for binding the roof shingle to a downslope adjacent roof shingle or a substrate. The roof shingles may include a plurality of EPDM granules being located on at least a portion of the surface of the reveal.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for generating a sampled profile including a plurality of sampling points having a plurality of characteristic values associated with the detected non-visible light, identifying one or more macroblocks each includes a subset of the plurality of sampling points, calculating a number of occurrences of the local pattern value within each subset of the plurality of the sampling points for each of the one or more macroblocks, generating a first array including a plurality of weighted values by calculating the plurality of weighted values based on the numbers of occurrences of the local pattern value and corresponding sizes of the one or more macroblocks, assigning a unique index to each of the plurality of weighted values, generating a second array of the unique index by ranking the plurality of weighted values, and generating a third array including a plurality of ranking distances.

Abstract: Provided is a print head, a system and method for pressure measurements and continuous control of a flowable material in a flow path. The system includes a pressure coupler comprising a body having a channel through the longitudinal center of the body, the channel spanning between a first opening and a second opening. The pressure coupler includes a membrane embedded in the body, wherein the membrane is contiguous with, and forms a region of, the channel. Material flowing through the channel imparts a force on the membrane, and the force is transferred from the membrane to a pressure sensor adjacent to the pressure coupler. The pressure coupler and sensor may be included in a print head, whereby the pressure of a flowable material is measured during dispensing from the print head. The pressure measurements are used for continuous feedback flow control of the flowable material through the flow path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating real-time item-specific application of a gift card balance to a purchase within a collaborative gift card network are described. In some cases, a system for omni-channel item-level promotional offer adjudication is provided, which may include a distributed ledger (in some cases having a plurality of nodes, a transaction log, and a consensus algorithm), a retail system having a payment module, and an adjudication module that enables the retail system to access the distributed ledger. In some cases, the adjudication module is configured to: receive and store item-level information relating to one or more inventory items for which use of a one-time-use coupon code is authorized; receive a purchase request comprising a payment amount and information concerning an item for purchase; receive a one-time-use coupon code; and read the transaction log of the distributed ledger to check whether the one-time-use coupon code has already been redeemed.

Abstract: In one example, a pallet jack cap system includes a stabilization outrigger secured around steer wheels of a pallet jack, a bonnet in an elevated position over forks of the pallet jack, an anchor base for attachment to the pallet jack, and a vertical extension system between the anchor base and the bonnet. The vertical extension system supports the bonnet in the elevated position over the forks of the pallet jack. The vertical extension system can include an elevating vertical support assembly, an elastic counterpoise to assist with positioning the bonnet at a particular elevation based on an extension of the vertical support assembly, and an extension lock to secure the vertical support assembly at the particular elevation. The bonnet can be lowered down over a unit load on a pallet transported by the pallet jack, to secure the unit load and items in transport by the pallet jack.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method (236) of harvesting thermal energy and water from air, the method comprising: receiving a flow of water vapor containing air over a first heat exchanging contactor contained in a chamber in a non-sealed state, the first heat exchanging contactor coated with an adsorbent material that adsorbs water vapor (238); desorbing water vapor from a second adsorbent-coated heat exchanging contactor contained in a chamber in a sealed state under a partial vacuum (240); exchanging thermal energy between the first heat exchanging contactor and the second heat exchanging contactor, wherein heat gained by heat of adsorption in the first heat exchanging contactor transferred to heat the second heat exchanging contactor to aid desorption, wherein heat lost due to the heat of desorption in the second heat exchanging contactor is transferred to cool the first heat exchanging contactor to aid adsorption (242); drawing a vacuum in the sealed chamber to pull air out and desorb, compress, and heat the wat

Abstract: An electric pushback vehicle includes a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion. The vehicle further includes front drive axle and a rear drive axle configured to communicate power to ground engaging members. A traction battery is housed within the electric pushback vehicle and provides electric power to an electric motor to drive an output shaft. A transmission is connected to receive mechanical power from the electric motor through a torque converter.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods involve a robotic arm with a first mounting portion that releasably receives a sterile barrier assembly and a second mounting portion associated with a surgical component. An illumination device is coupled to the robotic arm. Controller(s) detect, using one or more sensors, a condition associated with installation of one or more of the sterile barrier assembly and the second mounting portion to the first mounting portion. The controller(s) control the illumination device to indicate the condition to a user.

Abstract: Provided is a process including: receiving one or more write requests; selecting a first subset of the values as corresponding to higher-security fields; segmenting a first value in the first subset; instructing a first computing device to store a first subset of segments among the plurality of segments in memory; and instructing a second computing device to store a second subset of segments among the plurality of segments in memory.

Abstract: A spring assembly for a rotary-type series elastic actuator (SEA) for use in robotic applications. The SEA including a motor, gear transmission assembly, spring assembly, and sensors. In one example, a robotic joint may include the SEA as well as two links coupled with each other at the joint assembly. The two links may be designated as input and output links. Each link may have a joint housing body which may be concentrically connected via a joint bearing so that they freely rotate against each other. The housing frame of the SEA may be fixed at the joint housing body of the input link while the output mount of the spring assembly of the SEA may be concentrically coupled with the joint housing body of the output link.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance has first and second arms coupled together for reciprocal movement towards and away from each other, and arranged to receive hair within a region between each other. A plenum is disposed within at least one of the first arm and the second arm, the plenum including an air inlet for receiving airflow from a fan unit and an air outlet for emitting airflow towards hair within the region. A hair clamp including a pair of clamping members for gripping hair therebetween, includes at least one flexible projection for guiding hair.

Abstract: A system for preparing a brewed beverage from at least one flavorant includes a housing, a receptacle connectable to the housing for holding the at least one flavorant and a reservoir connectable to the housing. The receptacle including a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet and a first fluid flow path fluidly connects the reservoir to the first fluid inlet and a second fluid flow path fluidly connects the reservoir to the second fluid inlet.

Abstract: A composite metal membrane for use in hydrogen purification includes a body-centered cubic metal layer, one or more catalyst layers, and one or more hydrogen-permeable, intermetallic diffusion barriers deposited between the body-centered cubic metal layer and the one or more catalyst layers. The body-centered cubic metal layer can include a group 5 metal. The one or more hydrogen-permeable, intermetallic diffusion barriers can each include a group 4 nitride, which may be applied via reactive sputtering. The one or more catalyst layers can each include a platinum group metal. The composite metal membrane may be symmetric in configuration, with a first hydrogen-permeable, intermetallic diffusion barrier between the body-centered cubic metal layer and a first catalyst layer, and a second hydrogen-permeable, intermetallic diffusion barrier between the body-centered cubic metal layer and a second catalyst layer.

Abstract: A volatile composition dispenser comprises a volatile composition container comprising at least one volatile composition therein. A rupture element is positioned proximate to the volatile composition container. The volatile composition container comprises a cam comprising a camming surface. The camming surface is configured to move at least a portion of the rupture element toward the volatile composition container to puncture the volatile composition container and release at least a portion of the volatile composition from the volatile composition container such that the portion of the volatile composition evaporates and exits the volatile composition dispenser.

Abstract: A method for assembling a battery module, the method comprising: providing a cell tray defining a plurality of cell holes for holding cells; inserting cells into respective cell holes so that the cells each protrude from the cell tray at each end of the cell; attaching a first casing to a first side of the cell tray to enclose the cell ends protruding from the first side; and attaching a second casing to a second side of the cell tray to enclose the cell ends protruding from the second side.

Abstract: Provided is a print head, a system and method for pressure measurements and continuous control of a flowable material in a flow path. The system includes a pressure coupler comprising a body having a channel through the longitudinal center of the body, the channel spanning between a first opening and a second opening. The pressure coupler includes a membrane embedded in the body, wherein the membrane is contiguous with, and forms a region of, the channel. Material flowing through the channel imparts a force on the membrane, and the force is transferred from the membrane to a pressure sensor adjacent to the pressure coupler. The pressure coupler and sensor may be included in a print head, whereby the pressure of a flowable material is measured during dispensing from the print head. The pressure measurements are used for continuous feedback flow control of the flowable material through the flow path.

Abstract: A method of cooling an array of battery cells within a chamber in a housing, the battery cells being electrically connected via a busbar having at least one terminal tab for connection to an electrical terminal in the housing, the method comprising the steps of: supplying coolant through an opening in the housing into the chamber; and diverting at least a part of the coolant flow from its inlet flow path due to impingement of the flow upon part of the terminal tab.

Abstract: A battery module comprising a housing defining an internal cell cavity and cells located in the cell cavity. The housing comprises two substantially parallel walls and an end structure extending between the two walls, the end structure defining an end of the housing in a first direction, the end structure being inclined with respect to the top and bottom walls such that the cell cavity extends in the first direction beyond the furthest extent of the top wall, and being configured such that the battery module can nest with a similar battery module.