Abstract: A smart fill system includes one or more modules in connection with one or more water lines for regulating the temperature and flow rate of water into a vessel. The modules include a solenoid configured to regulate water flow through the module. A display is used to inform a user of information such as temperature of the water, flow rate, and fill level. A sensor is in electrical communication with the modules and is configured to detect the combined temperature of the water released from the modules. The sensor is configured to detect the water level and the module may automatically shut off the water at a predetermined water fill depth. A remote electronic device may be used to permit wireless control of the module.

Abstract: A lift assembly for use with automobiles includes a tire lift and a detachable lift. The tire lift is configured to grasp and selectively lift a tire while the detachable lift is selectively configured to locate and lift up the automobile using a jack. The tire lift and the detachable lift transfer data between them and include a battery supply and motor controller. The motor controller operates motors used to selectively locate the detachable lift relative to the tire lift. A sliding body adapter is coupled to the tire lift and is configured to translate along a plane relative to the tire lift. A body extender is coupled to the detachable lift and configured to translate so as to locate the jack. The body extender is configured to move the jack in a direction perpendicular to that of the movement of the sliding body adapter.

Abstract: A smart fill system includes one or more modules in connection with one or more water lines for regulating the temperature and flow rate of water into a vessel. The modules include a solenoid configured to regulate water flow through the module. A display is used to inform a user of information such as temperature of the water, flow rate, and fill level. A sensor is in electrical communication with the modules and is configured to detect the combined temperature of the water released from the modules. The sensor is configured to detect the water level and the module may automatically shut off the water at a predetermined water fill depth. A remote electronic device may be used to permit wireless control of the module.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for vehicle brake management. A vehicle brake test is performed in order to output a measure of brake performance under one or more test condition. The measure of brake performance is used to generate a value of current vehicle brake effectiveness for a predetermined usage condition. A mathematical model is applied to said value of current vehicle brake effectiveness so as to predict a decline in braking effectiveness with vehicle usage. The mathematical model is used to determine a point at which said predicted decline crosses a threshold value of vehicle brake effectiveness and an indication of the extent of vehicle usage corresponding to said crossing point is output. The method and system may be used to monitor brake performance compliance with regulations and/or to generate brake test/maintenance schedules.

Abstract: A system and method for managing crisis communication are disclosed. A contact database holds information used to deliver broadcast messages to selected contacts. Messages are prepared in advance for delivery via different channels, including voice, fax, pager, and e-mail. Contact groups are defined by selecting specific contacts, or as “criteria groups” defined by search criteria. Notification tasks are created by determining the contact groups to receive the broadcast, then adding others if desired. Messages are selected for broadcast transmission in various channels. Administrators view a table of status codes for each attempted transmission. They filter the table based on each contact's status. Contacts or filtered sets can be added to and removed from a “renotification” list using the interactively filtered table. When contacts fail to confirm or update their contact information for longer than a certain period, the system automatically sends that contact a message reminding them to do so.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicles (20) to provide transportation services without need for human intervention. A database (10) stores records each documenting needed transportation services. Processing circuitry (which may be one or several networked computers) performs a dispatching process (26) which reviews these records, locates records indicating a need for immediate transportation service, and instructs vehicles to provide the service. The processing circuitry also performs a monitoring process (28) which monitors vehicle activities by reviewing the records, and automatically obtained vehicle activity information, to identify transportation services which are not being adequately provided, and refer these to human dispatchers (16) for special attention. A variety of methods for obtaining and updating vehicle activity information are disclosed, as are various applications for the system.

Abstract: A self-piercing tubular fastener (13) is applied to a workpiece (9, 11) by means of a setting die (1) which is formed with a radially inner cavity (17) and a radially outer cavity (5) surrounding the radially inner cavity such that a first part of the material displaced as the fastener (13) penetrates the workpiece flows into the radially inner cavity in the setting die whilst a second part of the displaced material flows into the radially outer cavity.

Abstract: A self-piercing tubular fastener (13) is applied to a workpiece (9, 11) by means of a setting die (1) which is formed with a radially inner cavity (17) and a radially outer cavity (5) surrounding the radially inner cavity such that a first part of the material displaced as the fastener (13) penetrates the workpiece flows into the radially inner cavity in the setting die whilst a second part of the displaced material flows into the radially outer cavity.

Abstract: Multiple fasteners are fed to a workpiece from a flexible carrier tape (2) in which the fasteners are mounted. The carrier tape passes through a guide and indexing means to bring a fastener into axial alignment with a plunger and, optionally, a die. The fasteners are pre-loaded in the carrier tape in a pattern which simultaneously brings a fastener into axial alignment with a plunger and a die at each of a plurality of fastening positions relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: A fastening incorporates a tubular rivet (11) passing through an aperture in a workpiece (17, 19). The rivet has a tubular shank (15) which is deformed outwardly to retain the rivet in the aperture, the extent of the deformation being such that the tubular shank is rolled outwardly, for example through an angle greater than 180.degree., forming a toroid in which material which was originally on an inner surface of the tubular shank prior to deformation is on an outer surface of the toroid and able to contact the workpiece (19) and also that material which was originally on an outer surface of the tubular shank prior to deformation is on an inner surface of the toroid and is distant from the workpiece. The deformation is referred to as a "full-roll".