Abstract: A heat spreader apparatus includes a first portion; a second portion; and a connecting portion between the first and second portions, with high-conductivity axes and a low-conductivity axis, the low-conductivity axis being directed between the first and second portions. In one or more embodiments, the first, second, and connecting portions are thermally anisotropic blocks, and the apparatus forms a rectangular prism.

Abstract: A system for detecting and engaging a refuse can includes at least one sensor positioned on a refuse collection vehicle and configured to detect objects on one or more sides of the refuse vehicle, an actuator assembly configured to actuate to engage the refuse can, and a controller configured to detect, using a single-stage object detector, the presence of the refuse can based on first data received from the at least one sensor, determine, based on the first data, a position of the refuse can with respect to the refuse collection vehicle, generate a first trajectory from the refuse collection vehicle to the position of the refuse can, generate a second trajectory for the actuator assembly, and initiate a control action to move at least one of the refuse collection vehicle along the first trajectory or the actuator assembly along the second trajectory to engage the refuse can.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device supported by the chassis and configured to provide electrical power to a prime mover, wherein activation of the prime mover selectively drives the refuse vehicle, a body for storing refuse therein supported by the chassis, a first hydraulic pump configured to convert electrical power into hydraulic power, a second first hydraulic pump configured to convert electrical power into hydraulic power, and a motor coupled to at least one of the body or the chassis and configured to drive the first hydraulic pump and drive the second hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes multiple systems, each system including a sensor. The refuse vehicle also includes an automated check system. The automated check system includes processing circuitry configured to obtain sensor data from the sensor of each of the multiple systems, determine which of the multiple systems require manual inspection based on the sensor data, and operate a display screen to prompt a technician to manually inspect one or more of the multiple systems.

Abstract: A hand-held portable modular spectrometer unit. The unit includes a detachable head containing a light source and optical components for detecting spectral information from light reflected from or transmitted through a target and a processor for converting the detected spectral information into digital information. The unit also includes a plug-in rechargeable power supply and a control module for controlling the components in the measurement head. The controller includes a computer processor for analyzing the digital information produced by the measurement head and a display monitor for displaying spectral information produced by the control unit. In preferred embodiments the plug-in rechargeable power supply is a 12-volt off-the-shelf power-tool rechargeable battery unit. In preferred embodiments several measuring heads are available.

Abstract: An interface for a high-performance graphics adapter is provided in a computer system which includes a host processor, a coprocessor in the form of a graphics system processor, and memory addressable by both host and co-processors. An application computer program running on the host processor utilizes a graphics operating system, such as a Video Graphics Array Basic Input/Output System (VGA BIOS) to write graphics data in VGA format to the memory. A tactical address controller translates memory addresses generated by the VGA BIOS (and hence the host processor) into memory addresses recognized by the coprocessor. One or more graphics controllers store the graphics data, expanded into VGA format, into a VGA video random-access memory (RAM) buffer. A Format Translator, under the direction of the graphics system processor, then translates the VGA graphics data in the video RAM buffer into a packed pixel form, and the graphics data is displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT).