Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a pump and a headrest. The headrest has a support base, a flexible foam layer coupled with the support base, a flexible substrate overlying the foam layer and defining an outer surface, and an inflatable bladder assembly positioned between the base and the foam layer. The bladder assembly has a plurality of cells corresponding to respective regions of the outer surface that are independently operable between inflated and deflated conditions by the pump. The seating assembly further includes a control operably coupled to the pump.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of an optimal altitude controller for super pressure aerostatic balloon in connection with a balloon network. The aerostatic balloon includes a bladder containing a gas that is lighter than the air present in the environment of the balloon. Additionally, the aerostatic balloon includes an envelope filled with air. A mass-changing unit configured to selectively add or remove air may control the amount of air in the envelope. Further, the balloon has a communication module configured to transmit data relating to a current balloon state, and receives data relating to a desired balloon state. Additionally, the balloon includes a processor configured to control the mass-changing unit based on the desired balloon state. The mass-changing unit of the aerostatic balloon may be powered by a renewable energy source, such as solar power. The mass-changing unit adds or removes air with an impeller.

Abstract: A method of making an appliance door includes inserting a door pan into a fixture having first and second forming molds, which are pressed together. An inner door liner is placed over the door pan and secured thereto to form a base door. A mold cavity is formed between the door pan and the inner door liner. An insulative material is injected into the mold cavity defined by the space between the door pan and the inner door liner. A removable decorative exterior skin is extended over the base door. A support frame and a plurality of utility lines are provided. An insulative material contacts the support frame. A base door is formed by an inner door liner secured to the insulative material and the support frame.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for fluid catalytic cracking. The process can include withdrawing a catalyst from a reaction vessel to replace a catalyst inventory over a period of about 10- about 35 days for maximizing propylene yield.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes an electronic device. The dispensing system includes a thermoelectric generation device coupled to the electronic device. The thermoelectric generation device includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The thermoelectric generation device includes an output coupled to the third portion that provides electrical power to the electronic device. The electrical power provided to the electronic device is a function of current induced within the third portion. The current induced within the third portion is a function of a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining trajectories for vehicles of a fleet of vehicles are provided. In one example, a method comprises receiving an initial location of one or more vehicles, and receiving a sequence of coverage requirements for a region and an associated period of time. The region may be divided into a plurality of landmarks and the period of time may be divided into a plurality of phases. The method also comprises determining for each of one or more phases and at least one respective landmark, a set of starting landmarks from which a vehicle could reach the respective landmark during the phase. The method further comprises determining which respective landmark that the vehicle should travel to during the one or more phases based on the sequence of coverage requirements and the set of starting landmarks for the one or more phases and the at least one respective landmark.

Abstract: A wing with slipstream turbine comprising: a wing or airfoil and at least one turbine, wherein wing or airfoil has at least one partial cylindrical void in a surface and at least one turbine is partially encapsulated within partial cylindrical void. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise at least one slipstream outrigger to help focus the flow of the slipstream more directly on a turbine. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise at least one lateral outrigger to create a low-pressure area which functions to add additional energy transfer to turbine. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise two leading outriggers to help focus the flow of the slipstream more directly on a turbine. Optionally, wing or airfoil may further comprise a leading subcomponent, a left subcomponent, and a right subcomponent to create a super low-pressure area which functions add additional energy transfer to turbine.

Abstract: The inventive concept is a wristband or sweatband towel combination which is attached to the wrist of a user who is involved in sporting or working activities and who uses the towel for wiping perspiration from various parts of the body of the user. The wristband or sweatband surrounds the wrist and may have a way of separately attaching the towel to the wristband. This means that it can be separated at any time. The towel itself can be folded into half or completely into a fully retracted position to thereby be placed on top of the wristband. At this location the towel is usable to wipe perspiration in a limited fashion.

Abstract: An adjustable solar-power unit to power a dispenser includes a support housing maintaining a receiving aperture to rotatably retain a solar panel carrying holder therein. The adjustable solar-power unit is configured to be mounted remotely from the dispenser or may be configured to be integral with a housing that maintains the components of the dispenser. The holder may be rotated or pivoted so that the angle of incidence of the ambient light can be substantially perpendicular with that of the solar elements carried by the holder to generate an optimal amount of electrical power therefrom in order to power the dispenser.

Abstract: A method includes storing metadata associated with content from at least one content source, determining that the content is being presented, receiving data representing a biometric attribute associated with a content consumer, determining that the content consumer is consuming the content, and updating the metadata associated with the content in response to determining that the content consumer is consuming the content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reverse-iterating a backward planner determining trajectories for vehicles of a fleet of vehicles are provided. In one example an iterator configured for recursively determining the contingency tables at successive time steps in a computational iteration order from a target time to an initial time is caused to reverse-generate the contingency tables in an order from the initial time to the target time. Reverse-generation is caused by recursively: (i) subdividing a sequence of time steps by a factor of at least two into successively smaller sub-sequences, (ii) iterating in a computational iteration order over each recursively subdivided sub-sequence, and (iii) generating a contingency table closest in time to the initial time for the recursive iteration over each recursively subdivided sub-sequence.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for determining when to launch vehicles into a fleet of autonomous vehicles are described. A method comprises receiving a sequence of coverage requirements for a region over a period of time. The region may be characterized by landmarks and the period of time can be divided into time intervals. The method also includes defining a landmark as a launch site representative of a landmark at which a given vehicle can be added to a plurality of operating vehicles, and determining for a respective landmark, estimated landmarks that can be reached by a vehicle starting from the respective landmark by an end of a time interval. The method also includes based on the sequence of coverage requirements and the estimated landmarks, determining a given launch site and corresponding time interval at which to add the given vehicle to the plurality of operating vehicles.

Abstract: Formulations of solutions and processes are described to form a substrate including a dopant. In particular implementations, the dopant can include arsenic (As) or phosphorus (P). In an embodiment, a dopant solution is provided that includes a solvent and a dopant-containing molecule. In a particular embodiment, the solvent of the dopant solution can have a flashpoint that is at least 55° C. In some cases, the dopant-containing molecule can have a molecular weight that is no greater than about 300 g/mol. In other instances, a ratio of a concentration of a dopant-containing molecule relative to a concentration of a contaminant is no greater than about 1×1010.

Abstract: A disclosed heat exchanger device for a heat exchanging fluid comprises a continuous conduit arranged in an Nth pass plurality of descending rows and columns interconnected at at least one transitional point(s). The transitional point(s) are arranged in a pattern of parallel U-tubes which in any two adjacent rows slope in the same direction wherein an end view of the first transitional points resembles a herringbone pattern. A heat exchanger system disclosed comprises a continuous conduit or a plurality of fluid channeling conduits arranged in a lattice of rows and columns, wherein an outside cross section of the conduit is polygonal, especially square but having an inner circumference, a.k.a. Square Pipe™. An outside shell for the conduit is adapted to contain and to channel a fluid therein. A plurality of heat deflectors and flow channeling baffles are arranged adjacent the conduits in a free-floating relationship to the conduits.

Abstract: A test circuit for a static random access memory (SRAM) array includes a plurality of stages coupled in a ring. Each stage includes a plurality of bit cells to store information, a bit line and a complementary bit line coupled to the plurality of bit cells, and a plurality of word lines coupled to the plurality of bit cells. Subsets of the plurality of word lines of each of the plurality of stages are selectively enabled based on signals asserted on the complementary bit line of another one of the plurality of stages. The test circuit also includes inversion logic deployed between two of the plurality of stages.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of a method for determining communication timing of an aerial vehicle, such as a balloon. The method includes determining a trajectory of an aerial vehicle. Additionally, the method includes, based on the trajectory, determining a transmission trigger for a location-report message such that a location-report message transmission that is responsive to the transmission trigger has at least a predefined probability of occurring before the aerial vehicle contacts the ground. Further, the method also includes, responsive to the transmission trigger, transmitting the location-report message, where the location-report message comprises location data from the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A solar module has a plurality of solar panels framed within a frame member having side frame members connected to end frame members. Each side frame member and end frame member have a groove and a channel, and side frame members also have an elongated flange that raises up the solar panel a distance to allow cooling air to pass under the solar panel. Framed solar panels are connected to lengthwise support members having top, bottom and side channels, such as T-slots. These channels allow for easy adjustment and compensates for variability in the installation process. Each solar panel is connected to the lengthwise support members by way of legs. To connect adjacent solar panels to the lengthwise support members, a pair of legs, one long leg and one short leg, are stacked on top of one another and fastened to the lengthwise support member.

Abstract: A mezzanine connector assembly adapted to connecting a top PCB and a bottom PCB. The mezzanine connector assembly includes a floatable upper connector and a lower connector. The upper connector has an electrical connecting device and an optical connecting device. The electrical connecting device includes a conductor having a floatable upper end and a fixed lower end, the optical connecting device having an optical waveguide with one end connected to the upper PCB and a lower end fixed to the housing by a ferrule. The lower connector has a housing, a turning lens received in the housing, and an electrical contact connected to the bottom PCB for mating with the lower end of the conductor of the upper connector, the turning lens defining an upward opening to receive the ferrule of the upper connector, a forward opening for receiving an optical plug.

Abstract: A method of neutralizing pathogens includes covering a surface to be disinfected with a coating including one or more types of minutely configured particles having a generally high conductivity. The surface is exposed to electromagnetic waves for a duration of time up to three minutes thereby killing the pathogens.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining trajectories for vehicles of a fleet of vehicles are provided. In one example, a method comprises receiving an initial location of one or more vehicles, and receiving a sequence of coverage requirements for a region and an associated period of time. The region may be divided into a plurality of landmarks and the period of time may be divided into a plurality of phases. The method also comprises determining for each of one or more phases and at least one respective landmark, a set of starting landmarks from which a vehicle could reach the respective landmark during the phase. The method further comprises determining which respective landmark that the vehicle should travel to during the one or more phases based on the sequence of coverage requirements and the set of starting landmarks for the one or more phases and the at least one respective landmark.