Abstract: A system and method for controlling a merge vehicle travelling along a highway having a merge lane and a main lane. The method includes receiving merge data about the merge vehicle and a surrounding environment of the merge vehicle. The method includes detecting an intent to perform a merge maneuver by the merge vehicle from the merge lane to the main lane based on the merge data. Further, the method includes generating a graph having a plurality of nodes connected by edges. The plurality of nodes includes a start node set to a current position of the merge vehicle and a goal node located in the main lane after the merge lane has ended. The method includes calculating a three-dimensional (3D) trajectory based on the graph by optimizing edge costs from the start node to the goal node, and controlling the merge vehicle based on the 3D trajectory.

Abstract: An example tap off box is provided that includes a housing, a circuit breaker, a door, and a breaker actuator. The housing includes walls forming an internal enclosure. The circuit breaker is disposed within the housing. The door is secured to the housing to define a housing assembly, the housing assembly enclosing the circuit breaker. The breaker actuator includes a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end coupled to the circuit breaker within the housing assembly, and the proximal end extending outside of the housing assembly. The breaker actuator is capable of being moved at the proximal end to selectively toggle the circuit breaker from at least an ON position to an OFF position.

Abstract: A water sports equipment storage rack including at least one U-shaped support, a claw, a drive mechanism, and a biasing member. The claw is (i) configured to move in an outward direction and in an inward direction and (ii) rotatable about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. The drive mechanism is configured to linearly move the claw in the outward direction and the inward direction. The biasing member is configured to (i) impart a biasing force to rotate the claw about the pivot axis in a direction toward the closed position and (ii) reduce the biasing force as the claw approaches the end of its linear travel, allowing the claw to move to the open position.

Abstract: An example busway system is provided that includes a first busway, a second busway, and a joint seal coupling the first busway to the second busway. The first busway includes a first end and an opposing second end, and the second busway includes a third end and an opposing fourth end. The joint seal includes panels configured to at least partially slide over the first or the opposing second end of the first busway, and at least partially slide over the third or the opposing fourth end of the second busway to couple the first busway to the second busway. The joint seal creates a seal at a joint formed by the first busway, the second busway, and the joint seal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe fabric covers, such as those used for air conditioning units, having a first air permeable panel for covering a horizontal top panel of an air conditioner unit; a second air permeable panel extending downward from the first air permeable panel for covering vertical side panels of the air conditioner unit; and an adjustable fastener provided in a bottom portion of the second air permeable panel for securing the cover to a base of the air conditioner unit.

Abstract: A method of making N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-4-nitrobenzamide from a mixture of 2,4-dinitroaniline, 4-nitrobenzoyl chloride, and solid acid catalyst in an organic solvent, wherein the solid acid catalyst is not soluble in the organic solvent, the solid acid catalyst being an acidic clay, an ion exchange resin, a beta zeolite, a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer, or some mixture of these.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe covers for air conditioner units comprising a first air permeable panel for covering a horizontal top panel of an air conditioner unit; a second air permeable panel extending downward from the first air permeable panel for covering vertical side panels of the air conditioner unit; and an adjustable fastener provided in a bottom portion of the second air permeable panel for securing the cover to a base of the air conditioner unit.

Abstract: A power panel assembly according to the present disclosure includes a photovoltaic (PV) panel and an enclosure. The PV panel includes a plurality of PV cells and a PV cell tray having a top surface on which the plurality of PV cells are placed and a bottom surface opposite of the top surface. The enclosure includes an inner plate supporting the PV panel and an outer shell having a plurality of sidewalls surrounding the inner plate. The inner plate and the PV panel define a fluid flow path therebetween that allows fluid to flow between the PV panel and the enclosure and absorb heat from the PV panel. The inner plate and the outer shell define a channel therebetween that extends around an outer perimeter of the inner plate and separates the inner plate and the outer shell from one another.

Abstract: An invertible floatation garment which alternately can be worn as shorts or as a vest includes a garment front sheet and a garment rear sheet which are laterally interconnected by lateral connecting segments to form a single tubular structure for fitting around the chest or trunk of a wearer. An upright forward slit opening is provided through the center of the front sheet to permit the garment to be opened so that the wearer can take the garment on and off, dividing the front sheet into a front sheet left portion and a front sheet right portion with closure fasteners. An front and rear sheet connecting segment narrower than the front and rear sheets defines on either side of it leg openings which become arm openings when the garment is inverted.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus includes a susceptor defining a reaction chamber. A housing is spaced from the susceptor opposite the reaction chamber and defines a port. A void space is defined between the housing and the susceptor. An induction coil extends through the port and is disposed within the void space for conducting an electric current to heat the susceptor to heat the reaction chamber. A flange comprises a metal material and is coupled to the housing at the port for sealing the port with the induction coil extending through the flange. An isolator is disposed between the flange and the housing to prevent the electric current from passing into the housing.

Abstract: Described are aromatic amino compounds that are useful to methods of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide removal.

Abstract: A rack for holding water sports equipment includes a substantially upright surface, an arm, a pedal, and a linkage between the pedal and the arm. The arm is configured to hold a piece of water sports equipment between the arm and the substantially upright surface. The arm is movable away from the substantially upright surface, against a force biasing the arm toward the substantially upright surface, to allow the piece of water sports equipment to be inserted or removed from between the arm and the substantially upright surface. The pedal is positioned and configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position by a force applied by a human foot and to return to the closed position when that force is removed. The pedal is directly or indirectly connected to the arm in order to move the arm away from the substantially upright surface when the pedal is moved from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A rack for holding water sports equipment includes a substantially upright surface, an arm, a pedal, and a linkage between the pedal and the arm. The arm is configured to hold a piece of water sports equipment between the arm and the substantially upright surface. The arm is movable away from the substantially upright surface, against a force biasing the arm toward the substantially upright surface, to allow the piece of water sports equipment to be inserted or removed from between the arm and the substantially upright surface. The pedal is positioned and configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position by a force applied by a human foot and to return to the closed position when that force is removed. The pedal is directly or indirectly connected to the arm in order to move the arm away from the substantially upright surface when the pedal is moved from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A floatation garment includes a front panel formed of a front panel sheet of elastic material tapering inwardly at the front panel sheet lower end and having series of buoyant members which are laterally spaced apart and contained within the front panel sheet, and a generally horizontal front securing strap having front strap connection means at opposing strap ends and a rear panel formed of rear panel sheet also tapering inwardly at the rear panel sheet lower end and also having a generally horizontal rear securing strap having rear strap connection means at opposing strap ends positioned to connect to corresponding front strap connection means, the front and rear panel sheets preferably being interconnected at the front and rear panel sheet lower ends by an elastic connecting segment to form a single, continuous garment sheet.

Abstract: Aromatic compounds such as o-xylene are selectively nitrated by nitric acid in the presence of polyphosphoric acid and a large pore, acidic zeolite or a large pore, hydrophobic molecular sieve. This is an environmentally friendly, commercially viable, high conversion process for the selective nitration of aromatic compounds in the para position.

Abstract: A process for the purification of fluoroalkanesulfonate salt comprising (a) contacting a mixture of said salt and an inorganic salt contaminant with a solvent to selectively dissolve said fluoroalkanesulfonate salt in solution, and (b) isolating the solution, to yield a fluoroalkanesulfonate salt containing less than 500 micrograms of inorganic salt contaminant per gram of fluoroalkanesulfonate salt, or containing less than a maximum of 0.3% by weight of individual solvent.

Abstract: A process for the purification of fluoroalkanesulfonate salt comprising (a) contacting a mixture of said salt and an inorganic salt contaminant with a solvent to selectively dissolve said fluoroalkanesulfonate salt in solution, and (b) isolating the solution, to yield a fluoroalkanesulfonate salt containing less than 500 micrograms of inorganic salt contaminant per gram of fluoroalkanesulfonate salt, or containing less than a maximum of 0.3% by weight of individual solvent.

Abstract: Described is a process for the alkoxylation of alcohols with I, Cl, or CH3CO2 endgroups, using alkylene epoxides in the presence of boron based catalysts.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a method of fuel bundle design, core design, or combined fuel and core design, to ensure Pellet Cladding Interaction (PCI) related fuel failures are mitigated. More specifically, example embodiments provide fuel and/or core designs that may be determined prior to operation of a nuclear power plant, or prior to production of fresh fuel bundles. The PCI optimized fuel/core designs may include some or all of seven PCI Evaluation Methods which may be incorporated into existing nuclear reactor simulation programs. PCI optimized fuel and/or core design enhances fuel reliability, allows faster beginning-of-cycle (BOC) startups and faster middle-of-cycle (MOC) sequence exchanges to maximize plant performance, and minimizes ramping restrictions, thereby maximizing nuclear power plant performance.