Abstract: A delivery and assembly system includes a plurality of storage locations including assembly materials and one or more vehicle transports including a controller. The vehicle transports are configured to transport the assembly materials. A control server is communicatively coupled with the controller of the one or more vehicle transports. The control server is configured to identify an available vehicle transport from the one or more vehicle transports and is configured to determine a fitness of the available vehicle transport to receive the assembly materials. An assembly station is configured to receive the available vehicle transport including the assembly materials.

Abstract: Flat top gas grills including cooking engines configured for optimum heat distribution are disclosed. An example grill includes a cookbox, a griddle, and a plurality of burner tubes. The cookbox includes a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a right sidewall, and a left sidewall. The front wall, the rear wall, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall extend upwardly from the bottom wall. The cookbox further includes a plurality of air intake openings extending though the bottom wall. The griddle is disposed on or above the cookbox. The griddle includes a flat top cooking surface and an underside located opposite the flat top cooking surface. The burner tubes are disposed in the cookbox and located between the bottom wall of the cookbox and the underside of the griddle.

Abstract: A robotic joint has a first portion that includes a first actuator and a second actuator, a first spherical linkage having a first end mechanically coupled to the first actuator and a second end mechanically coupled to a second portion of the robotic joint, and a second spherical linkage having a third end mechanically coupled to the second actuator and a fourth end mechanically coupled to the second portion. The first and second spherical linkages are segments of a spherical shell. The first and second actuators are operable in combination to control movement of the second portion relative to the first portion with two degrees of freedom. Each actuator causes a first respective movement in the same direction as each other to control a flexion or an extension, and a second respective movement in opposite directions to each other to control an abduction or an adduction.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame that defines an opening, and a structural panel assembly coupled to the opening. The structural panel assembly includes a first material, a second material opposite the first material, and a third material positioned between the first material and the second material. The third material has an undulating shape that includes a peak and a valley, and the first material is coupled to the peak and the second material is coupled to the valley.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a structural panel assembly includes providing at least a first material, a second material and a third material positioned between the first material and the second material. The method includes forming the third material to have an undulating shape, and observing, by a sensor, the undulating shape of the third material. The method includes controlling, by a processor, a movement of a welder relative to the first material or the second material based on the observing to weld the first material and the second material to the third material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bending a material to a target resultant bending parameter using a bend forming tool are disclosed. The systems and methods receive values for parameters of properties of the material and of a bending process to be performed by the bend forming tool, creating or retrieving a calibration curve relating input bending parameter and resultant bending parameter based on the values from a database of calibration curves, determining a first springback compensated input bending parameter based on the target resultant bending parameter using the calibration curve, inputting the first springback compensated input bending parameter to the bend forming tool, and in a first step of bending the material, bending the material to the first springback compensated input bending parameter by applying the bending process using the bend forming tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of an image panel are provided. The image panel includes a transparent substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. A first image layer is disposed on the second major surface. A diffuser layer is disposed on the first image layer, and a second image layer is disposed on the diffuser layer. The second image layer includes mask regions and image regions. An optical density of the image panel is at least 3.0 in the mask regions and less than 3.0 in the image regions. The image regions are not visible from the first major surface when light is not incident upon the second major surface. The image regions are visible from the first major surface and form a composite image with the first image layer when light is incident upon the second major surface.

Abstract: This document describes cleaning tools, methods of manufacturing cleaning tools, and methods of using cleaning tools, for cleaning a media transport device. The cleaning tool may include a cleaning card comprising a first core layer, as well as a first cleaning layer attached to the first core layer. The first core layer and the first cleaning layer form (a) a cleaning element having a first thickness and in which the core layer is in a relaxed state, and (b) an intermediate area that has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness and in which the core layer is in a compressed state.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles implement active short circuit (ASC) or diode blocking ASC using a full bridge, alternating between halves (low side, high side) for implementing the ASC via strategic switching of the full bridge. Current is circulated through an inductor, low DC voltage rail with low side switches ON. Current then circulated through the inductor, low DC voltage rail via a diode across an OFF low side switch, with one low side switch ON and one OFF. Current is then passed through the inductor from high side to low side voltage rails via a high and a low side switch in ON states. Current is then circulated through the inductor, high DC voltage rail via a diode across an OFF high side switch, with one high side switch ON and one OFF. Current is the circulated through the inductor, high DC voltage rail with the high side switches ON.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for configuring a plant assembly station at a vehicle manufacturing plant. Plant sensor data generated by a plant sensor system is received at a plant assembly configuration system. The plant sensor data is associated with a configuration of a first plant assembly station at a vehicle manufacturing plant. A digital twin of the first plant assembly station is generated based in part on the plant sensor data. A determination is made regarding whether the configuration of the first plant assembly station is in accordance with operational regulations based on a simulation-based assessment of the digital twin of the first plant assembly station. An operability status of the configuration of the first plant assembly station is generated based on the determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that include one or more sensors configured to obtain biometric information as to one or more individuals who are to assist with manufacturing of a vehicle; a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store operational requirements for the manufacturing of the vehicle; and a processor that is configured to at least facilitate providing instructions for creating a swarm ramp on which the vehicle is to be placed in order to provide an ergonomic work envelope for the one or more individuals, based on the biometric information and the operational requirements.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system for a vehicle including a bottom shear plate and a side enclosure having a bottom end connected to the bottom shear plate. A top shear plate is connected to a top end of the side enclosure and a plurality of battery cells are suspended from a bottom of the top shear plate by corresponding mating features that secure the plurality of cells to the top shear plate.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for providing secure access to a digital asset subject to a promotional redemption by a user, comprising: a computing device configured to divide the digital asset into a plurality of portions and to encrypt each of the portions in the plurality using an asset key such that they may be stored on a decentralized peer-to-peer file sharing system; wherein the computing device is configured to create a manifest document based upon the division of the digital asset and storage of the portions thereof on the decentralized peer-to-peer file sharing system, such that given the access key, the manifest document, and a promotional code provided by the user, the digital asset may be securely reassembled by the user operating a client computing system.

Abstract: A system for joining a first part and a second part together with a weld structure. The system includes: a welding element configured to form the weld structure between the first part and the second part; and a control module configured to operate the welding element to form the weld structure. The weld structure includes: a first curved end; a second curved end; a connecting portion connecting the first curved end and the second curved end; a first curved crown spaced apart from the first curved end and concentric with the first curved end; and a second curved crown spaced apart from the second curved end and concentric with the second curved end. The first curved end, the second curved end, and the connecting portion are between the first curved crown and the second curved crown.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon reclamator consists of a closed chamber having an exhaust inlet port, a hydrogen inlet port, and a hydrocarbon outlet port. A magnetic flux is generated at the base of the closed chamber and a rotor is suspended by the magnetic flux within the closed chamber. The rotor is formed as a Tesla turbine having axially spaced discs concentrically mounted on a central shaft, a catalyst is formed on surfaces of the discs, and flow holes are formed through the discs. Venturi forces direct gas to release kinetic energy against the discs, so that hydrogen entering the chamber combines with carbon entering the chamber to form a hydrocarbon that exits the chamber via the hydrocarbon outlet port.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing vehicle manifest data at a vehicle. Vehicle manifest data is received from a plant operation system at a vehicle manifest data management system of the vehicle. The vehicle manifest data includes a plurality of component identifiers. Each of the component identifiers corresponds to a vehicle component for installation in the vehicle during a vehicle assembly process. The vehicle manifest data includes installation data associated with the installation of each of the vehicle components. A first component identifier associated with a first vehicle component and a first assembly station identifier associated with a first assembly station equipped to install the first vehicle component are received at the vehicle manifest data management system from the plant operation system. The installation data associated with the first vehicle component is transmitted from the vehicle manifest data management system to a station controller of the first assembly station.

Abstract: A robotic digit includes a digit base frame, a joint head coupled to the digit base frame, and an articulated digit body coupled to the joint head. A first actuator and a second actuator are mounted to the digit base frame. The first actuator includes a first actuator output coupled to the joint head by a first mechanical linkage. The first actuator output causes a first relative movement between the joint head and the digit base frame through the first mechanical linkage. The second actuator has second actuator output coupled to the joint head. The second output causes a second relative movement between the joint head and the digit base frame that is different from the first relative movement through the second mechanical linkage.

Abstract: A split grip sock device is disclosed that reduces slippage during lateral movements commonly performed during sports like basketball, tennis, soccer, and football. The device solves these problems by adding grip to the bottom of the sock and having a separate compartment for the big toe which allows for improved pivoting and change of direction. Further, the device also provides cushioning over the metatarsals to alleviate shoelace pressure and over the heel area to prevent blisters. Specifically, the split grip sock device comprises a thicker weave over the top of the foot and heel, with heat-pressed rubber pieces on the bottom of the sole.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to covalent protein dimers of MYC, MAX, and Omomyc; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the covalent protein dimers; methods of making the covalent protein dimers; and methods of treating disorders associated with MYC dysregulation (e.g., cancer) with the covalent protein dimers.