Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-stage method to extend the range of a vehicle. The method includes taking progressive actions on a vehicle as the state of charge (SOC) drops below defined levels. The method may include monitoring the SOC of the vehicle in relation to a SOC threshold or monitoring the SOC of the vehicle in relation to the distance remaining to a predetermined destination.

Abstract: A method and device for positively identifying that a dump event of a refuse container has occurred into a refuse hopper of a refuse vehicle are provided. When used with route software, alerts may be generated if a specific refuse container is missed or if an unexpected dump event occurs during the route.

Abstract: Methods and systems for power transfer and routing in a compartmentalized electric vehicle (EV) having detachable compartments, and for handing off a load from one EV to another EV for delivering the load to a destination are described herein. Each detachable compartment in the compartmentalized EV may have a separate power supply, motor, set of wheels, and/or autonomous operation features. The detachable compartments may attach to each other, such that each of the detachable compartments combine to form a compartmentalized EV that travels to a particular location.

Abstract: A multifunctional organosilicon compound is provided which has the general formula XSi([OSiR2]p-0-SiR2Y)a(R1)3-a— ln the formula, X is selected from H and ethylenically un saturated moieties; each Y independently comprises a functional moiety selected from alkoxysilyl moieties, acryloxy moieties, and epoxide moieties; each R is an independently selected hydrocarbyl group; each R1 is an independently selected hydrocarbyl group; subscript a is 1, 2, or 3; and each subscript b is independently 0, 1, or 2. A method of preparing the multifunctional organosilicon compound is also provided. The method comprises reacting (A) an organosilanol compound and (B) a silane compound having at least two hydrolysable groups. A functionalized siloxane compound prepared from the multifunctional organosilicon compound, a method of preparing the functionalized siloxane compound, and an adhesive comprising the functionalized siloxane compound are also provided.

Abstract: A scanner arrangement for a temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface is disclosed. The scanner arrangement includes a first temperature sensor and a reference assembly. The reference assembly includes an opening including a reference surface, a second temperature sensor in contact with and for measuring the temperature of the reference surface, and a heater for heating the reference surface in accordance with control signals from a controller. The first temperature sensor has a field of view covering a portion of the measured surface and the reference surface. In embodiments, the temperature measurement system is integrated into a photo-thermal treatment unit providing a cooling air stream and laser energy, controlled by the controller. The opening and reference surface cooperate such that the reference surface is protected from direct exposure to the cooling air stream and the laser energy.

Abstract: In an example, a vehicle tire includes a tread portion, a sidewall portion, and a sensor module for estimating one or more parameters of the tire. The sensor module includes a detector patch that includes one or more capacitors, each of which has an electrostatic capacity that is variable due to at least deformation of each capacitor. The sensor module also includes an electronics unit connected to each capacitor and configured to control the sensor module. The detector patch is adhered to an inside of at least one of the tread portion or the sidewall portion. At least one of the capacitors is located on the inside of the at least one of the tread portion or the sidewall portion. The electronics unit is configured to estimate at least one of the parameters based on the electrostatic capacity of each capacitor.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method is provided for responding to textual reviews. The method comprises: receiving harvested content comprising a text segment and associated with an entity; determining a primary intent of the text segment determined by reviewing a set of utterances in the text segment of the harvested content and comparing the set of utterances to example utterances associated with a set of pre-defined intents, the primary intent having a highest similarity to the set of utterances in the text segment as compared to other deduced intents and associated utterances. The method comprises assigning a confidence score associated with determining the primary intent. If the confidence score exceeds a first threshold, generating an automated response, based on the primary intent and automatically responding to the harvested content with the automated response having the customized sentence segment where the confidence score exceeds a second threshold score.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine combustor includes: selectively directing fuel and a first air supply through a fuel nozzle assembly in a head end section to produce a first fuel/air mixture, which is ignited within a liner to produce combustion gases; selectively directing a second fuel/air mixture through the liner from at least one first injector disposed at a first axial location; selectively directing a third fuel/air mixture through the liner from at least one second injector disposed at a downstream, second axial location. Each of the fuel nozzle assembly, the first injector(s), and the second injector(s) receives only a respective air supply from a compressor discharge plenum. The second injector(s) receive a respective air supply that is greater than each of the respective air supplies of the fuel nozzle assembly and the first injector(s).

Abstract: A portable, self-contained cooling device includes a base, a reservoir fixedly secured to the base and arranged to store a liquid usable for cooling. The device also includes a fan assembly fixedly secured to the reservoir at a location above the reservoir. The fan assembly includes a fan configured to generate an airflow, a motor configured to operate the fan, and a nozzle disposed to spray the liquid as a mist into the airflow. The device also includes a power source configured to power the fan, the power source being disposed at an elevation adjacent to or below the reservoir.

Abstract: A processor may determine, for each subdevice of a set of subdevices of a storage enclosure device, one or more reliability measures of the subdevice. A processor may determine, based at least on the one or more reliability measures for the subdevices and a spatial layout rule, a set of striping groups that maximizes a reliability of the set of subdevices of the storage enclosure device, each of the striping groups including a respective subset of the set of subdevices, wherein the spatial layout rule prescribes a geometric layout of the subdevices within striping groups across the storage enclosure device. A processor may store output data of a data striping operation to a particular subset of subdevices associated with a particular striping group of the set of striping groups.

Abstract: A system and method for dictation using a peripheral device includes a voice recognition mouse. The voice recognition mouse includes a microphone, a first button, a processor coupled to the microphone and the first button, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect actuation of the first button and in response to detecting actuation of the first button, invoke the microphone for capturing audio speech from a user. The captured audio speech is streamed to a first module. The first module is configured to invoke a second module for converting the captured audio speech into text and forward the text to the first module for providing to an application expecting the text, the application being configured to display the text on a display device.

Abstract: Structures for a through-silicon via and methods of forming a structure for a through-silicon via. The structure includes a substrate having a trench and surfaces that border the trench. The structure further includes a through-silicon via having a layer inside the trench. The layer is in direct contact with the surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: Bidirectional variable gain amplifiers (VGAs) for radio frequency (RF) communication systems are provided. In certain embodiments, a bidirectional VGA includes a first amplifier having an input coupled to a transmit/receive port, a second amplifier having an output coupled to a transmit port, a third amplifier having an input coupled to a receive port, a fourth amplifier having an output coupled to the transmit/receive port and to the input of the first amplifier, and a switch circuit that connects an output of the first amplifier to an input of the second amplifier in a transmit mode, and that connects an output of the third amplifier to an input of the fourth amplifier in a receive mode.

Abstract: A solid-state direct cavity combiner (DCC) transmitter system for providing megawatts of power is featured. The system includes a resonant cavity including at least one high-power output transmission line, hundreds of high-power transistors each generating an amount of RF power input directly into the resonant cavity, and a plurality of modules each including at least one pair of high-power transistors differentially driving a transmission line and a coupling loop. Each said transmission line and coupling loop extends into the resonant cavity to match an impedance of each said high-power transistors of each said module to an impedance of said resonant cavity to electromagnetically couple power into the resonant cavity to provide the megawatts of power to the high-power output transmission line.

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems, apparatus and kits for automated synthesis of a plurality of polynucleotides in an array of reaction chambers using a template-free polymerase. In some embodiments, adaptive elements and processes are provided to monitor and control disruption of the synthesis process and fluid movement by enzyme aggregation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a buoyant fishing caddy that includes an outer housing that includes a wall part detachable from the outer housing, and a bait net storage compartment that includes the detachable wall part. A preferred embodiment of the fishing caddy is generally rectangular and includes a buoyant upper compartment and a lower compartment. The lower compartment benefits use of the fishing caddy as carry-on luggage that can hold, for example, a telescoping or multipiece fishing rod when traveling to a fishing destination, and furthermore benefits use when fishing. In another preferred embodiment, the bait net storage compartment is generally cylindrical and is encircled by a ring that includes generally arcuate side compartments.

Abstract: A method for material detection is described. The method may include extracting, from a material database, a resonance frequency for the target material. The method may further include comparing an application type to entries in a scan database. The scan database may store pre-defined scanning patterns and corresponding application types. The method may include extracting, from the scan database, a scan sequence for the application type. Also, the method may include instructing a gimbal to follow positions in the scan sequence. The method may also include transmitting into an environment an RF signal when the gimbal is at the positions in the scan sequence. The method may further include receiving a response signal from the environment. The method may include analyzing the response signal for resonance characteristics that indicate a presence of the target material. Additionally, the method may include generating a haptic feedback when the target material is detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for sending a sound wave signal and measuring a body conduction characteristic of the sound wave signal. Additionally, a user authentication may be performed based at least in part on the body conduction characteristic. In one example, the body conduction characteristic includes one or more of a timing, a frequency or an amplitude of the sound wave signal after passing through one or more of bone or tissue.