Abstract: Systems and methods for securing an information tag to metal structures during and after the galvanization process are described that permit fluids used during galvanization to flow through and around the tag holder. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a tag body defining one or more funnel structures, the funnel structure extending outwardly from the tag body to provide a welding surface for securing the tag body to the metal structure while permitting fluid flow between the tag body and the metal structure to permit fluids during galvanization of the metal structure and tag body to flow therebetween; and one or more lips extending from the tag body and forming one or more tag holding regions into which an edge of the informational tag can be inserted to hold the tag against the tag body and to prevent the tag from sliding out from the tag holder.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising a chassis, a control system mounted to the chassis, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a spool having a wound portion of a line wound thereon, the line including a free portion, an attachment device secured to the free portion of the line and configured to facilitate attachment of a parcel to the line, a motor operable to rotate the spool under control of the control system such that the control system is operable to raise the attachment device to a raised position and lower the attachment device from the raised position, and a spring positioned between the chassis and the attachment device such that the spring is engaged between the chassis and the attachment device when the attachment device is in the raised position.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle including a control system, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a spool mounted for rotation in a winding direction and an unwinding direction opposite the winding direction, a motor operable to rotate the spool in at least the winding direction under control of the control system, and a brake mechanism including a brake actuator operable to transition the brake mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state under control of the control system. The brake mechanism in the locked state prevents rotation of the spool in at least the unwinding direction. The brake mechanism in the unlocked state does not prevent rotation of the spool in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle including a control system, at least one rotor, a line, and a load sensor. The load sensor includes an actuating arm engaged with the line, and the load sensor is operable to detect a loaded/unloaded state of the line based on a position of the actuating arm. The line places the actuating arm in a depressed position when a parcel is supported by the line to thereby indicate the loaded/unloaded as a loaded state. The line permits the actuating arm to adopt a projected position when the parcel is not supported by the line to thereby indicate the loaded/unloaded as a loaded state. The control system is configured to raise and/or lower the free portion of the line based upon the loaded/unloaded state of the line.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to a method for releasing a parcel from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The parcel is engaged with a hook attached to a line suspended from the UAV. The method includes lowering the hook such that the parcel is at least partially supported by a target surface, thereby performing an attempt to release the parcel from the hook, performing at least one iteration of an iterative procedure. The iterative procedure includes raising the hook, and determining whether the line remains loaded. The iterative procedure further includes lowering the hook an additional time in response to a determination that the line remains loaded, thereby performing an additional attempt to release the parcel from the hook. The iterative procedure further includes performing an additional iteration of the iterative procedure in response to the number of attempts failing to satisfy a threshold number of attempts.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle including a control system, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a spool mounted for rotation in a winding direction and an unwinding direction opposite the winding direction, a motor operable to rotate the spool in at least the winding direction under control of the control system, and a brake mechanism including a brake actuator operable to transition the brake mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state under control of the control system. The brake mechanism in the locked state prevents rotation of the spool in at least the unwinding direction. The brake mechanism in the unlocked state does not prevent rotation of the spool in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising a chassis, a control system mounted to the chassis, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a spool having a wound portion of a line wound thereon, the line including a free portion, an attachment device secured to the free portion of the line and configured to facilitate attachment of a parcel to the line, a motor operable to rotate the spool under control of the control system such that the control system is operable to raise the attachment device to a raised position and lower the attachment device from the raised position, and a spring positioned between the chassis and the attachment device such that the spring is engaged between the chassis and the attachment device when the attachment device is in the raised position.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to a method for releasing a parcel from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The parcel is engaged with a hook attached to a line suspended from the UAV. The method includes lowering the hook such that the parcel is at least partially supported by a target surface, thereby performing an attempt to release the parcel from the hook, performing at least one iteration of an iterative procedure. The iterative procedure includes raising the hook, and determining whether the line remains loaded. The iterative procedure further includes lowering the hook an additional time in response to a determination that the line remains loaded, thereby performing an additional attempt to release the parcel from the hook. The iterative procedure further includes performing an additional iteration of the iterative procedure in response to the number of attempts failing to satisfy a threshold number of attempts.

Abstract: A low-profile, backlit panel assembly and a controller for displaying images and/or data within a passenger compartment of a vehicle are provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel perforated with a two-dimensional array of closely-spaced holes. The panel is configured to be attached to a support structure of the vehicle. The assembly further includes a plurality of semiconductor-based, lighting devices supported at a back surface of the panel. Each of the lighting devices includes at least one lighting element. Each of the lighting elements is individually addressable by the controller to control luminous intensity of the light emitted by the at least one lighting element. Each of the lighting devices is aligned with one of the holes so that light emitted by each of the lighting devices travels through its hole to the passenger compartment in the form of a pixel of a two-dimensional image.

Abstract: A hunting cart assembly includes a cart that includes a first frame which is pivotally coupled to a second frame such that the cart is positionable between a folded position for storage and an unfolded position for utilization. A pair of wheels is each rotatably disposed on the second frame to roll along a support surface. A pair of motors is each integrated into a respective one of the wheels. Each of the motors rotates the respective wheel in a first direction when the motors are turned on to urge the cart along the support surface. A lever is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the handles and the lever is in communication with the pair of motors. Each of the motors is turned on when the lever is urged into an actuating condition and each of the motors is turned off when the lever is biased into a de-actuating condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a 3D printed hydrogel, wherein at least two different populations of cells are embedded in the 3D printed hydrogel. The different populations of cells can produce one or more products. The 3D printed hydrogel can be lyophilized and rehydrated, and the cells can continue to produce the product. Also disclosed are methods of producing a product, and methods of producing a 3D printed hydrogel comprising different populations of cells.

Abstract: A device for augmented reality model alignment is disclosed. The device may receive user input that identifies a machine, identify an augmented reality model associated with the machine, and display a representation of the machine with multiple icons that indicate multiple positions for a target marker. The device may detect a user selection of an icon of the multiple icons and may determine, based on the selected icon, an orientation for superimposition of the augmented reality model. The device may detect the target marker in an image captured by an image capture component of the device and may superimpose the augmented reality model on the image using the orientation.

Abstract: A device for augmented reality model alignment is disclosed. The device may receive user input that identifies a machine, identify an augmented reality model associated with the machine, and display a representation of the machine with multiple icons that indicate multiple positions for a target marker. The device may detect a user selection of an icon of the multiple icons and may determine, based on the selected icon, an orientation for superimposition of the augmented reality model. The device may detect the target marker in an image captured by an image capture component of the device and may superimpose the augmented reality model on the image using the orientation.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes an air handler and a controller. The air handler defines a fresh air inlet, air outlets that directs air into a passenger compartment and a recirculation inlet that draws air from the passenger compartment into the air handler. The air handler operates in a fresh air mode and a recirculation mode. In the fresh air mode fresh air enters the air handler through the fresh air inlet and in the recirculation mode fresh air is prevented from entering the air handler, and instead air enters the air handler via the recirculation inlet. The controller switches the air handler to operate in the recirculation mode in response to determining the following: a diesel engine is operating in a regeneration mode and the air handler is in the fresh air mode.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes an air handler and a controller. The air handler defines a fresh air inlet, air outlets that directs air into a passenger compartment and a recirculation inlet that draws air from the passenger compartment into the air handler. The air handler operates in a fresh air mode and a recirculation mode. In the fresh air mode fresh air enters the air handler through the fresh air inlet and in the recirculation mode fresh air is prevented from entering the air handler, and instead air enters the air handler via the recirculation inlet. The controller switches the air handler to operate in the recirculation mode in response to determining the following: a diesel engine is operating in a regeneration mode and the air handler is in the fresh air mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying data storage devices comprises a shredder assembly, a hammer mill assembly, a chute mounted in an open communication with an interior of the shredder assembly and with an interior of the hammer mill assembly, the chute sized and shaped to transfer shredded remnants from the shredder assembly into the hammer mill assembly, a power drive assembly coupled to each of the shredder assembly and the hammer mill assembly, and a control assembly configured to operate the shredder assembly and the hammer mill assembly.

Abstract: There is a molding assembly that comprises a jaw holding assembly having a base member that is joined to a workpiece locating member. The workpiece locating member is joined to a riser member, and a rail is mounted on the riser member and a carriage is supported on the rail. The molding assembly includes a jaw holder that is mounted on the carriage, and the jaw holder supports first and second forming dies, and each has an internal rib that abut one another when the first and second dies are brought together. Together the dies form an elliptical rib having an elliptical shaped curved surface. A workpiece having an O-ring recess and parting line protrusions is positioned between the first and second forming dies, and the dies are heated and melt the parting line protrusions. An O-ring is disposed in the O-ring recess to form a leak proof seal.

Abstract: An auxiliary climate control system for a vehicle comprises a compressor, a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor, and an evaporator in fluid communication with the compressor and the condenser. The system further comprises an auxiliary controller configured to evaluate one or more system parameters to detect a malfunction. The controller is integrated with the main HVAC system and may control one or more elements of the main system.

Abstract: There is a molding assembly that comprises a jaw holding assembly having a base member that is joined to a workpiece locating member. The workpiece locating member is joined to a riser member, and a rail is mounted on the riser member and a carriage is supported on the rail. The molding assembly includes a jaw holder that is mounted on the carriage, and the jaw holder supports first and second forming dies, and each has an internal rib that abut one another when the first and second dies are brought together. Together the dies form an elliptical rib having an elliptical shaped curved surface. A workpiece having an O-ring recess and parting line protrusions is positioned between the first and second forming dies, and the dies are heated and melt the parting line protrusions. An O-ring is disposed in the O-ring recess to form a leak proof seal.