Abstract: A ram assembly for a can bodymaker includes a pair of slideways structured to be coupled to a frame of the can bodymaker and a carriage slidingly engaged within the pair of slideways. The ram assembly also includes a ram body having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end supported by the carriage such that the ram body is slidable generally along a primary axis. A punch is positioned at the second end of the ram body. The ram assembly further includes an adjustment arrangement structured to provide for dynamic adjustment of the radial positioning of the punch with respect to the primary axis during normal operation of the can bodymaker producing can bodies.

Abstract: A toolpack arrangement for a can bodymaker having a frame. The toolpack includes a toolpack having a number of forming dies and an adjustment arrangement. The adjustment includes a number of adjustment mechanisms coupled between the toolpack and the frame, each adjustment mechanism being dynamically adjustable so as to selectively adjust the positioning of the toolpack with regard to the frame and/or a ram body of the can bodymaker as the ram body passes within the toolpack during normal can body making operations of the can bodymaker.

Abstract: A system and a method is disclosed for adjusting and/or optimizing a fermentation process performed in one U-loop fermenter, the system including a processor and database for repetitively providing a test value of a fermenter parameter and for repetitively entering the test value of the parameter in the database; wherein the database stores multiple test value entries at various points in time and also stores multiple control value entries at various points in time, wherein the processor performs a mathematical analysis of the test value for providing a calculated test value, and/or the control value for providing at least one calculated control value; and selects, on the basis of the calculated test value and/or on the calculated control value, an adjustment to be introduced into at least one other U-loop fermenter to benefit from the change made in the one U-loop fermenter.

Abstract: A vaporizer device includes various modular components. The vaporizer device includes a first subassembly. The first subassembly includes a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device includes a second subassembly. The second subassembly includes a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device also includes a third subassembly. The third subassembly includes a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.

Abstract: An electric vehicle (EV) chassis is disclosed that may be a modular platform flexible as a basis for numerous other EV platforms. It is contemplated that the entire electric drivetrain (i.e., powertrain, wheels, steering) may be supplied to an automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The OEM may use the EV chassis for integration within a representative passenger compartment. The chassis may also be reconfigurable with the modularity at various levels that include the energy storage system, the entire chassis system, or any level in-between. The chassis may further be designed to allow connection of multiple modules to enable a larger scale energy storage that may be provided to homes, buildings, or the electric power grid.

Abstract: An electric vehicle (EV) chassis is disclosed that may be a modular platform flexible as a basis for numerous other EV platforms. It is contemplated that the entire electric drivetrain (i.e., powertrain, wheels, steering) may be supplied to an automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The OEM may use the EV chassis for integration within a representative passenger compartment. The chassis may also be reconfigurable with the modularity at various levels that include the energy storage system, the entire chassis system, or any level in-between. The chassis may further be designed to allow connection of multiple modules to enable a larger scale energy storage that may be provided to homes, buildings, or the electric power grid.

Abstract: The use of mucic acid gallate compounds in a non-sugar sweetener such as a steviol glycoside-containing consumable to provide lingering aftertaste specific masking effect is provided.

Abstract: The present invention extends to apparatuses and methods directed to a modular and adjustable swim fin. Some aspects of the invention include a swim fin having one or more interchangeable fin ribs that facilitate adjustment of flexibility characteristics of the swim fin. For example, interchangeable fin ribs having different flexibility characteristics (e.g., durometer, stiffness, rigidity, or hardness) provide desirable performance when attached to a fin blade of a swim fin. In addition, some aspects of the invention include a fin blade with an adjustable fin split that facilitates use of either a solid fin blade when the adjustable fin split is closed or a split fin blade when the adjustable fin split is open.

Abstract: The use of mucic acid gallate compounds in a non-sugar sweetener such as a steviol glycoside-containing consumable to provide lingering aftertaste specific masking effect is provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a battery cell including forming an anode region including a current collector, a porous intercalation material, and an anolyte. The method also includes forming an ionically conductive separator and forming a cathode region including a current collector and a porous intercalation material. The method also includes adding a first lithium reaction product and a first catholyte to the cathode region and applying a charging current between the cathode and anode. The method also includes removing a reduction by-product from the battery cell. An embodiment also includes a battery formed by the method.

Abstract: The toilet bowl separately collects urine and feces for analysis or other uses. The toilet bowl includes a toilet bowl wall with at least two holes in it. The first hole is a fecal collection aperture positioned below a user where a user may defecate into it. The second hole is a urine collection orifice through which a user's urine may flow. The two holes may be separated by a ridge which may act like a dam to inhibit cross-contamination of collected feces and urine. Conduits may connect to the two holes to direct the waste into analytical devices or containers for additional uses including composters and digesters which produce clean energy.

Abstract: The toilet bowl separately collects urine and feces for analysis or use in a composting device, waste digester, or to reclaim water. The toilet bowl includes a toilet bowl wall. Urine flows down the toilet bowl wall into a channel for collection. The channel surrounds an aperture into which feces may be deposited. Consequently, urine and feces are kept separate during collection. Both the channel and the aperture may be connected to conduits which may transmit material into analytical devices. The conduits may transmit material into digesters in appropriate amounts including controlling the amount of liquid added to solid material. Collected urine may be stored for water reclamation. Sensors may confirm the absence of fecal matter in collected urine or detect contamination. After separate analysis, feces and urine may be combined through connecting conduits then disposed of in the sewer system or sent to a composting device or waste digester.

Abstract: The toilet bowl separately collects urine and feces for analysis or other uses. The toilet bowl includes a toilet bowl wall with at least two holes in it. The first hole is a fecal collection aperture positioned below a user where a user may defecate into it. The second hole is a urine collection orifice through which a user's urine may flow. The two holes may be separated by a ridge which may act like a dam to inhibit cross-contamination of collected feces and urine. Conduits may connect to the two holes to direct the waste into analytical devices or containers for additional uses including composters and digesters which produce clean energy.

Abstract: The toilet bowl separately collects urine and feces for analysis or use in a composting device, waste digester, or to reclaim water. The toilet bowl includes a toilet bowl wall. Urine flows down the toilet bowl wall into a channel for collection. The channel surrounds an aperture into which feces may be deposited. Consequently, urine and feces are kept separate during collection. Both the channel and the aperture may be connected to conduits which may transmit material into analytical devices. The conduits may transmit material into digesters in appropriate amounts including controlling the amount of liquid added to solid material. Collected urine may be stored for water reclamation. Sensors may confirm the absence of fecal matter in collected urine or detect contamination. After separate analysis, feces and urine may be combined through connecting conduits then disposed of in the sewer system or sent to a composting device or waste digester.

Abstract: We disclose a toilet system which analyzes solid waste to detect tags which were associated with pharmaceutical or nutritional products and excreted in the solid waste of a user. The toilet system may include a receptacle for receiving solid waste, a liquid dispenser for providing a liquid to assist in dispersing the solid waste, a solid waste dispersing system which may mix the solid waste with the liquid thereby homogenizing the solid waste, and an electromagnetic signature detector which may analyze the tags in the solid waste. The electromagnetic signature detector may include a selective binding surface which may bind tags present in the solid waste and which may be connected to a transducer which senses the presence of bound tags.

Abstract: A piston flush toilet apparatus is disclosed. The piston flush toilet apparatus comprises one or more leaky piston seals which allow lubrication to leak in a predetermined direction. The leaky lubrication keeps waste from entering unwanted areas of the piston drive system while also lubricating the piston and macerated waste. An internal piston maceration system is also disclosed and claimed. Additionally, a microscope and light built into the piston is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a first battery in a device, in particular in a motor vehicle, a first magnetometer measuring a magnetic flux density in the battery and/or adjacent to the battery, a second magnetometer measuring a magnetic flux density remotely from the first battery in the device, and in a period, in which no power supply or power withdrawal is provided to or from the first battery, a measurement of the first and the second magnetometer being carried out, and an evaluation unit, for the case in which the magnetic flux density measured by the first magnetometer exceeds a background magnetic flux density measured with the aid of the second magnetometer beyond a predetermined amount, determining and outputting an error status of the first battery.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a first battery in a device, in particular in a motor vehicle, a first magnetometer measuring a magnetic flux density in the battery and/or adjacent to the battery, a second magnetometer measuring a magnetic flux density remotely from the first battery in the device, and in a period, in which no power supply or power withdrawal is provided to or from the first battery, a measurement of the first and the second magnetometer being carried out, and an evaluation unit, for the case in which the magnetic flux density measured by the first magnetometer exceeds a background magnetic flux density measured with the aid of the second magnetometer beyond a predetermined amount, determining and outputting an error status of the first battery.

Abstract: A composite rod that has subsequently been reduced to its tow or whose supporting matrix has been modified by any of various means, including heat, can easily be redirected around an arc to manufacture a longitudinal structural element having a termination or support.