Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer. A transducer driver has a switch network that is operable to selectively connect a driver output to any of a first set of at least three different switching voltages which are, in use, maintained throughout a switching cycle of the driver apparatus. The switch network is also operable to selectively connect the driver output to flying capacitor driver. A controller is configured to control the switch network and flying capacitor driver to generate a drive signal at the driver output based on an input signal, wherein in one mode of operation the driver output is switched between two of the first set of switching voltages with a controlled duty cycle and in another mode of operation the driver output is connected to the flying capacitor driver which is switched between first and second states with a controlled duty cycle.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and algorithms are described for identifying the back of a particular vehicle (e.g., a platoon partner) in a set of distance measurement scenes and/or for tracking the back of such a vehicle. The described techniques can be used in conjunction with a variety of different distance measuring technologies including radar, LIDAR, camera based distance measuring units and others. The described approaches are well suited for use in vehicle platooning and/or vehicle convoying systems including tractor-trailer truck platooning applications. In another aspect, technique are described for fusing sensor data obtained from different vehicles for use in the at least partial automatic control of a particular vehicle. The described techniques are well suited for use in conjunction with a variety of different vehicle control applications including platooning, convoying and other connected driving applications including tractor-trailer truck platooning applications.

Abstract: A system for enhancing diesel fuel combustion; including: a liquid diesel fuel source; a hydrogen gas source; an oxygen source; and either (a) a mixer configured with inputs to receive each of the liquid diesel fuel, hydrogen gas and oxygen gas therein, wherein the mixer is a cylindrical container having an entrance funnel and an exit funnel, or (b) tube infuser having a liquid-gas mixing chamber with a volume up to 10 Gal, and a dwell time from gas additive/fuel mixing in the range of 15 minutes. Passive and active agitation structures are also included to facilitate mixing.

Abstract: A battery charging system prevents or reduces deterioration of battery health due to fast-charging. The battery charging system includes a battery composed of one or more re-chargeable cells, a battery charging circuit that controls a charging waveform supplied to the battery, and a detection circuit that detects a decrease in resistance of the battery at an AC signal frequency greater than or equal to 200 Hz. The battery charging circuit controls the charging waveform responsive to an output of the detection circuit. In another battery charging system, the battery has multiple re-chargeable cells. The charging circuit apportions charging waveforms at the cells, and the detection circuit that detects a decrease in resistance of a cell at the AC signal frequency. The battery charging circuit and balancing circuit controls apportioning of the individual charging waveforms responsive to an output of the detection circuit.

Abstract: A walk-behind mower has a mower deck, a plurality of wheels, a head, and a plurality of light sources. The wheels are rotatably coupled to the mower deck. The wheels move the walk-behind mower over a support surface in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The head is coupled to the mower deck. The head can store at least one battery pack. The light sources are coupled to at least one of the mower deck and the head. The light sources project light through a continuous illumination angle about the walk-behind mower. The illumination angle extends along an arc from the forward direction toward the rearward direction and is at least 90 degrees.

Abstract: A mulch plug accessory for a lawnmower includes a curvilinear plug wall having a convex side, and a plurality of alignment legs extending in a direction away from the convex side of the curvilinear plug wall. Each alignment leg has a distal end including a stop flange. The mulch plug accessory further includes a post extending in a direction away from the convex side of the curvilinear plug wall. A lawnmower including a main body having an ejection port also includes a mulch plug accessory configured to be selectively disposed within the ejection port.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems related to serving gateway extensions for inter-system mobility in integrated small Cell and WiFi networks. An SGW may be extended into a common intermediate gateway for both LTE and WiFi access. A GTP-based “SI a” interface between a TWAN and an SGW is introduced. The STa interface between TWAN and 3 GPP AAA server/proxy is extended to enable selection of an SGW for establishment of the disclosed Sla interface. The extended SGW and protocols may be used to optimize inter-system mobility between LTE small cells and trusted WiFi. SGW and PDN Gateway (PGW) functionality is disclosed to support GTP-based IP Flow mobility via multi-access (LTE and WiFi) connectivity to the same packet data network (PDN). Non-access stratum (NAS), EAP, and GTP-C protocols may also be extended to include a “multi-connection” indication in addition to existing “handover” indication.

Abstract: A hydro-diesel engine system, including: (a) a hydrogen gas supply and a liquid diesel fuel supply; (b) a bubbilizer configured to agitatedly mix some of the hydrogen gas into diesel fuel to form a mixture of small bubbles of hydrogen gas in the liquid diesel fuel which is then sent into a hydro-diesel engine; together with (c) a system for chemically mixing some of the hydrogen gas with the diesel fuel prior to the diesel fuel entering the bubbilizer.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon tetrachloride includes providing a chloromethanes stream, combining the chloromethanes stream with chlorine and additional carbon tetrachloride to form a reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture includes at least stoichiometric levels of chlorine, introducing electromagnetic radiation to the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture to suitable reaction conditions to form product carbon tetrachloride, and collecting a product stream including the product carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract: A quick change oil filter incudes a filter canister and filter base that may be installed and removed manually from an engine adapter on an internal combustion engine. The filter canister and filter base may hold at least about one third of the required engine oil supply when removed from the engine adapter. The engine adapter includes an oil inlet passage, an oil outlet passage, and a filter base mounting cavity. A check valve is biased to close an oil outlet opening from the filter canister, trapping oil inside the filter canister when it is removed from the engine adapter.

Abstract: An ADC may include an analog front end (AFE) configured to receive an analog input signal and sample the input signal to generate an analog sampled signal comprising a plurality of analog samples and conversion circuitry configured to convert each analog sample to a respective digital sample during a conversion phase. The AFE may include an amplifier configured to receive and buffer the input signal to generate an analog output signal and sampling circuitry configured to sample each of the plurality of analog output samples onto a sampling capacitor during a sampling phase. The AFE may also include precharging circuitry configured to, during the conversion phase, track the analog input signal and store a charge on a precharging capacitor, the charge based on the analog input signal, and during a precharging transfer phase, transfer at least a portion of the charge stored on the precharging capacitor to the sampling capacitor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a deflection member is disclosed. The method may include the steps of: providing an additive manufacturing apparatus that comprises at least one radiation source and a vat comprising a photopolymer resin, providing a reinforcing member comprising a first surface and a second surface that is opposite the first surface, contacting at least the second surface of the reinforcing member with the photopolymer resin, and directing radiation from a first radiation source and a second radiation source toward the first surface of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue.

Abstract: An agricultural planting machine includes a frame and a planting system supported on the frame and configured to plant seeds in a row. The planting system includes a ground-engaging element movable relative to the frame and configured to engage a ground surface of a field. A field contour detection system is configured to receive in-situ sensor data representing a location of the ground-engaging element, generate field contour data representing a contour of the ground surface based on the in-situ sensor data, and generate a control signal based on the field contour data.

Abstract: A cascaded switched power converter provides a wide voltage conversion ratio and improved efficiency ins systems such as power supplies and amplifiers. A switched-capacitor charge pump circuit is operated by one or more first clock signals and is coupled in cascade with an inductor-based power supply circuit according to one or more second clock signals. A control circuit that generates clock signals so that the one or more second clock signals have a phase offset with respect to the one or more first clock signals that is set to adjust a conversion ratio of the cascaded combination of the switched-capacitor charge pump circuit and the inductor-based power supply circuit. The inductor of the inductor-based power supply circuit may be an inductive load, such as a speaker, and the phase offset may be modulated according to an audio signal to provide audio amplification.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage control system and storage device assembly are provided. The cryogenic storage control system may utilize a dual fill level measurement arrangement in which a differential pressure-based fill level determination is compared to a fill level determined from an array of thermistors positioned at varying depths within the cryogenic storage container. Significant disagreement between fill level determinations may result in an alert being generated by a control system. Additionally, various operational processes may be implemented to ensure proper operation including calibration processes, monitoring processes, and maintenance processes.

Abstract: Additively manufactured articles of footwear comprising a sole portion and an upper portion 3D printed as a single piece. In some embodiments, the article of footwear can comprise an outer skin comprising a plurality of continuous beams extending adjacent to each other and defining at least part of an outer contour of the upper portion, at least part of an outer contour of the sole portion, or both. In some embodiments, the article of footwear can comprise an inner skin comprising a network of beams defining at least part of an inner contour of the upper portion. In some embodiments, the article of footwear can comprise a core structure that connects beams of the outer skin to beams of the inner skin.

Abstract: An axial blower includes a fan, housing, and intake grate. The fan has a rotational axis. The housing surrounds the fan. The housing includes an inlet, fluid intake volume, outlet, and battery interface. The inlet is disposed at a position along the rotational axis upstream of the fan. The fluid intake volume is upstream of the inlet. The outlet is disposed at a position along the rotational axis downstream of the fan. The distal projection extends away from the inlet in an upstream direction. The battery interface is coupled to the distal projection, upstream of the inlet, and suspends a battery pack in the fluid intake volume. The intake grate is positioned between the fluid intake volume and the inlet. The intake grate permits fluid flow between the fluid intake volume and the inlet. The fluid intake volume is unobstructed between the battery interface and the intake grate.