Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Abstract: Improved algorithm techniques may be used for superior operation of haptic-based systems. An eigensystem may be used to determine for a given spatial distribution of control points with specified output the set of wave phases that are the most efficiently realizable. Reconstructing a modulated pressure field may use emitters firing at different frequencies. An acoustic phased-array device uses a comprehensive reflexive simulation technique. There may be an exchange of information between the users and the transducer control processors having the ability to use that information for optimal haptic generation shadows and the like. Applying mid-air haptic sensations to objects of arbitrary 3D geometry requires that sensation of the object on the users hand is as close as possible to a realistic depiction of that object. Ultrasonic haptics with multiple and/or large aperture arrays have high-frequency update rates required by the spatio-temporal modulation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for soil and groundwater remediation are contemplated as comprising a zero valent metal having a metal sulfide surface layer and an organic compound operative to degrade to produce molecular hydrogen. Such compositions may also include particulate activate carbon and anaerobic bacteria operative to perform reductive dechlorination. These compositions synergistically operate to remove chlorinated hydrocarbons from contaminated soil and groundwater.

Abstract: A system providing various improved processing techniques for haptic feedback is described. An acoustic field is defined by one or more control points in a space within which the acoustic field may exist. Each control point is assigned an amplitude value equating to a desired amplitude of the acoustic field at the control point. Transducers are then controlled to create an acoustic field exhibiting the desired amplitude at each of the control points. When human skin interacts with the acoustic field, vibrations of the skin are interpreted by mechanoreceptors being excited and sending signals to the brain via the nervous system. Improved processing techniques allow for more efficient real-world operation.

Abstract: A method of controlling a wind turbine blade anti-ice system comprising a power supply and a plurality of electrical blade heating devices. The method comprises—energising a selected one of the blade heating devices; measuring one or more electrical parameters associated with the selected one of the blade heating devices; determining the power of the selected one of the blade heating devices based on the one or more measured electrical parameters; and controlling the selected one of the blade heating devices based on the determined power draw. Beneficially the method of the invention provides for calibration of the electrical heating devices in situ during operation of the anti-ice system. Therefore, the performance of the heating devices may be assessed under a predetermined input electrical supply profile which enables the anti-ice system to be controlled more effectively.

Abstract: Fluid-dispensing systems and methods relating thereto are described. A method of dispensing fluid includes: (i) receiving, from a temperature encoder, a temperature signal; (ii) receiving, from a flow rate encoder, a flow rate signal; (iii) providing, based on the temperature signal and the flow rate signal, a first amount of power required by a first motor; (iv) providing, based on the temperature signal and the flow rate signal, a second amount of power required by a second motor; (v) opening, based on the first amount of power, the first valve by a first amount of valve opening; (vi) opening, based on the second amount of power, the second valve by a second amount of valve opening; and (vii) facilitating admixing of a first fluid flow at a first fluid flow rate, received from the first valve, and a second fluid flow at a second fluid flow rate, received from the second valve, to create an admixed fluid stream.

Abstract: A deck apparatus for assembly with a pair of opposing brace frames interconnected by a pair opposing connector bases and a deck board top frame having a plurality of deck boards disposed thereon, the connector bases having opposing posts for being received in openings in a lower end of the opposing brace frames ends and the deck board top frame having posts for being received in an upper end of the opposing brace frames, and optionally attaching a stairs riser having a plurality of spaced-apart treads or a ramp riser for extending from a deck surface at a height to a vertically lower support surface.

Abstract: A power distribution node, includes a power switch controllably operable to supply energy from an input to an output when the power switch is closed and to not supply energy from the input to the output when the power switch is open, a controller module, a supply power source connected with and energizing the controller module, and a control circuit configured to sense a power characteristic of the power distribution node.

Abstract: A power distribution system can include a power source, a power distribution unit, and at least one electrical load supplied by the power distribution unit. A detection circuit can be utilized in the power distribution system to sense or detect the occurrence of an electrical failure within the power or electrical unit.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining and extinguishing electrical faults includes a power supply, and electrical load, a controller module, and electrical sensors, and when the controller module does not extinguish the electrical fault, another switch blows a fuse.

Abstract: A fluid mover and method of operating includes a pair of spaced electrodes, a power supply electrically coupled to the pair of spaced electrodes, and at least one environment sensor. The fluid mover also includes a controller configured to controllably operate at least one of the power supply or the pair of spaced electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power distribution system includes a power converter adapted to receive a power supply and convert the power supply to a power output, a set of solid state switching elements connected with the power output, a set of sensors adapted to sense a power demand at the set of solid state switching elements, and a controller module communicatively connected with the set of sensors and the set of solid state switching elements.

Abstract: A method for specifying desired quantities of the energy flux of the combined waves of acoustic radiation pressure to apply producing a mid-air haptic pushing force, which has the effect of simultaneously reducing the harmonic distortion present is described. Further, a method for communicating only the summaries of acoustic field contributions at the required locations in the form of summed portions of the relatively small matrix whose row and column count depend only on the control point count is described. Further, phased arrays of ultrasonic speakers can produce a relatively large amount of acoustic energy which is usually directed in a specific direction or focused to a particular point depending on the application of the array. Further, to allow the system to be driven more strongly than usual, the complex-valued linear system that governs the drive signal to each control point is solved twice.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Abstract: A phased array of ultrasonic transducers may create arbitrary fields that can be utilized to manipulate fluids. This includes the translation of drops on smooth surfaces as well speeding the evaporation of fluids on wetted hands. Proposed herein is the use airborne ultrasound focused to the surface of the hand. The risk is that coupling directly into the bulk of the hand may cause damage to the cellular material through heating, mechanical stress, or cavitation. Using a phased array, the focus may be moved around, thus preventing acoustic energy from lingering too long on one particular position of the hand. While some signaling may penetrate into the hand, most of the energy (99.9%) is reflected. Also disclosed are methods to couple just to the wetted surface of the hand.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for radially aligning wheelsets of rail vehicles relative to a coordinate system of a wheelset diagnosis tool and/or wheelset machine tool, which method can be implemented quickly with sufficient precision and comprises the following steps: a) positioning the wheelset at a working position of the tool; b) defining a tool-side coordinate system in an assumed wheel centre point of each wheel, where an X-axis adopts a vertical extent, a Y-axis adopts a horizontal extent and a Z-axis describes the resulting depth extent of the wheel; c) measuring the distance of the wheel backs with respect to one another and defining the Z-position=0 on each wheel back; d) defining a unique Z-position for each measuring point; e) positioning each measuring sensor at the specified Z-position; f) measuring the X-position of each measuring point; g) aligning the wheelset by vertically displacing one of the wheels in order to match the X-positions of the measuring points of two wheels.

Abstract: Described is a system for producing an acoustic field from a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays, each of which has known relative positions and orientations. The acoustic field comprises a carrier wave and a modulated wave. The carrier wave has a plurality of modulated focal areas. A plurality of control points having a known spatial relationship relative to at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays is used. The plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays are calibrated by using the relative position of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays.

Abstract: In general, various aspects of techniques are described to enable application directed latency control for wireless audio streaming. A source device comprising a memory and a processor may perform the techniques. The memory may store at least a portion of audio data. The processor may execute an application that outputs the audio data, and a request for a quality of service concerning audio processing applied to the audio data. The processor may determine whether the source device is currently displaying the application, and configure, responsive to the determination that the source device is currently displaying the application, a wireless audio processing path to achieve the requested quality of service. The processor may next process, by the wireless audio processing path, the audio data to obtain a bitstream representative of the audio data.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining and extinguishing electrical faults includes a power supply, and electrical load, a controller module, and electrical sensors, and when the controller module does not extinguish the electrical fault, another switch blows a fuse.

Abstract: An acoustic field may be produced from a transducer array having known relative positions and orientations In this acoustic field, one or more control points may be defined. An amplitude may be assigned to the control point. Mid-air haptic effect for a virtual object on a human body part may be generated by moving the control point in a single closed curve comprising a plurality of curve segments. The single closed curve traverses at least one location where the human body part intersects with the virtual object. Additionally, a user may interact with virtual three-dimensional content using the user's hands while a tracking system monitoring the user's hands, a physics engine updates the properties of the virtual three-dimensional content and a haptic feedback system provides haptic information to the user.