Abstract: A self-contained illuminated sign for mounting on a vehicle is disclosed. The sign includes a front panel, a rear panel situated opposite and substantially parallel to the front panel in spaced relation therefrom to define a space therebetween, and a light source comprising a plurality of LEDs. The light source is positioned between the front and rear panels and is configured to emit light that emanates from the front panel. The front panel is thus backlit to display indicia. A system for supporting a self-contained illuminated sign on a vehicle is also disclosed. The system includes the sign and a separate mounting frame mountable on a vehicle. The mounting frame is configured to removably receive the sign and, when the sign is received in the mounting frame, to surround a perimeter of the sign while permitting visibility of the front display area. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for conducting a drop test of an article with one or more target parameters can include dropping the article and a drop carriage of a drop tower from an initial height with respect to a base of the drop tower for an initial drop test. The article can be coupled to the drop carriage. The method can include detecting accelerometer data with respect to the article for an initial impact between the drop carriage and the base of the drop tower; determining a constant energy balance curve; determining, based on the constant energy balance curve and a target pulse duration, a target complex stiffness and/or a target total weight; adjusting, based on the target complex stiffness or the target total weight, the complex stiffness and/or the total weight for a subsequent drop test; and conducting the subsequent drop test.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensor cleaning system that cleans one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle. Each sensor can have one or more corresponding sensor cleaning units that are configured to clean such sensor using a fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid). Thus, the sensor cleaning system can include both a gas cleaning system and a liquid cleaning system. According to one aspect, the sensor cleaning system can provide individualized cleaning of the autonomous vehicle sensors. According to another aspect, a liquid cleaning system can be pressurized or otherwise powered by the gas cleaning system or other gas system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a support pedestal that includes a support member including a resistive layer having at least two zones, a routing layer, and a plurality of conductive vias. The resistive layer and the routing layer are disposed in different planes of the support member and are connected by the plurality of vias. The number of zones of the resistive layer is greater than or equal to a number of wires coupled to the routing layer. The routing layer may include a plurality of arm portions that extend from a central region of the routing layer. The support pedestal may further include a second resistive layer disposed along the same plane as the routing layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for assigning classifications to signals and corresponding messages for prioritization and transmission across a vehicle CAN bus. The assigned classifications are used to prioritize messages, signals, and nodes of the vehicle CAN bus. The classifications are used to prioritize critical messages and high priority messages that control operations of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A support pedestal includes a substrate, a plurality of resistive heating elements disposed on the substrate and defining a plurality of heating zones, and electric terminals disposed at a central region of the substrate. At least one of the electric terminals is connected to at least two of the plurality of resistive heating elements.

Abstract: An inflator for generating inflation gases for a safety device includes a housing having an internal cavity including a combustion chamber and a filter chamber. A filter is disposed in the filter chamber. A separating member is disposed in the housing on a first axial side of the filter and separates the filter chamber from the combustion chamber. An insulating member is disposed in the filter chamber on a second axial side of the filter. The second axial side is opposite the first axial side. The separating member is coupled to the insulating member.

Abstract: A self-contained illuminated sign for mounting on a vehicle is disclosed. The sign includes a front panel, a rear panel situated opposite and substantially parallel to the front panel in spaced relation therefrom to define a space therebetween, and a light source comprising a plurality of LEDs. The light source is positioned between the front and rear panels and is configured to emit light that emanates from the front panel. The front panel is thus backlit to display indicia. A system for supporting a self-contained illuminated sign on a vehicle is also disclosed. The system includes the sign and a separate mounting frame mountable on a vehicle. The mounting frame is configured to removably receive the sign and, when the sign is received in the mounting frame, to surround a perimeter of the sign while permitting visibility of the front display area. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A support pedestal is provided that includes a substrate having a top resistive layer defining a first set of zones and a bottom resistive layer defining a second set of zones. Each zone of the first and second set of zones is coupled to at least two electric terminals from among a plurality of electric terminals, and a total number of electric terminals is less than or equal to a total of the first and second set of zones.

Abstract: Gas generator for a safety system, comprising: at least one pyrotechnic substance arranged to produce gases; a first part; a second part; a third part; and a fourth part separate from the previous parts, the first part and the second part being friction-welded to the third part. The gas generator is characterised in that the fourth part comprises: a first interface for positioning with the first part, and a second interface for positioning with the second part, such as to temporarily block at least one degree of freedom between the first and second parts in order to allow the first and second parts to be simultaneously friction-welded to the third part.

Abstract: Offline consumer behavior and interactions are observed using beacons positioned at venues where consumers spend time and interact with each other. The beacons communicate with mobile computing devices that are carried by the observed consumers. The observed consumer behavior provides actionable insights into how consumers influence each other. For example, the people that a particular consumer spends time with form a “circle of influence” associated with that consumer. If the consumer makes a purchase, members of the circle of influence are observed to understand the degree to which they were influenced by the purchase, if at all. Metrics that quantify a consumer's influence over other consumers allow marketers to more effectively target both the influencing and influenced consumers. Also, if relatively little information is known about a particular consumer, that consumer's digital marketing profile can be supplemented using information known about the consumers with whom he/she often spends time.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for assigning classifications to signals and corresponding messages for prioritization and transmission across a vehicle CAN bus. The assigned classifications are used to prioritize messages, signals, and nodes of the vehicle CAN bus. The classifications are used to prioritize critical messages and high priority messages that control operations of the vehicle system.

Abstract: An inflator for generating inflation gases for a safety device includes a filter having a main body portion constructed of metal and an opening passing through the main body portion in an axial direction. The opening has a first end with a first diameter at a first axial side of the main body portion and a second end with a greater, second diameter at a second axial side of the main body portion. A plate disposed in the housing axially separates a filter chamber containing the filter and a combustion chamber containing at least one gas generant material. The plate includes a weakened zone which opens in response to an increase in pressure within the combustion chamber with a plurality of petals axially extending into the filter chamber. A first axially extending portion of the filter is adjacent the plate and opposes radial movement of the plurality of petals upon opening of the weakened zone into the filter chamber.

Abstract: A dual stage inflator includes a housing defining an internal cavity including a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber includes a first portion having a first gas generant material separated from a second portion having a second gas generant material. A gas generant retaining wall is disposed in the housing. A first stage ignition device is disposed in the first portion of the combustion chamber. A second stage ignition device is disposed in the second portion of the combustion chamber. A lid normally closes the second portion of the combustion chamber and is spaced from the gas generant retaining wall. The lid is moveable to an open position opening the second portion of the internal cavity to release combustion gas and abutting the gas generant retaining wall in response to an increase of pressure within the second portion of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An inflator for generating inflation gases for a safety device includes a filter having a main body portion constructed of metal and an opening passing through the main body portion in an axial direction. The opening has a first end with a first diameter at a first axial side of the main body portion and a second end with a greater, second diameter at a second axial side of the main body portion. A plate disposed in the housing axially separates a filter chamber containing the filter and a combustion chamber containing at least one gas generant material. The plate includes a weakened zone which opens in response to an increase in pressure within the combustion chamber with a plurality of petals axially extending into the filter chamber. A first axially extending portion of the filter is adjacent the plate and opposes radial movement of the plurality of petals upon opening of the weakened zone into the filter chamber.

Abstract: A self-contained illuminated sign for mounting on a vehicle is disclosed. The sign includes a front panel, a rear panel situated opposite and substantially parallel to the front panel in spaced relation therefrom to define a space therebetween, and a light source comprising a plurality of LEDs. The light source is positioned between the front and rear panels and is configured to emit light that emanates from the front panel. The front panel is thus backlit to display indicia. A system for supporting a self-contained illuminated sign on a vehicle is also disclosed. The system includes the sign and a separate mounting frame mountable on a vehicle. The mounting frame is configured to removably receive the sign and, when the sign is received in the mounting frame, to surround a perimeter of the sign while permitting visibility of the front display area. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-contained illuminated sign for mounting on a vehicle is disclosed. The sign includes a front panel, a rear panel situated opposite and substantially parallel to the front panel in spaced relation therefrom to define a space therebetween, and a light source comprising a plurality of LEDs. The light source is positioned between the front and rear panels and is configured to emit light that emanates from the front panel. The front panel is thus backlit to display indicia. A system for supporting a self-contained illuminated sign on a vehicle is also disclosed. The system includes the sign and a separate mounting frame mountable on a vehicle. The mounting frame is configured to removably receive the sign and, when the sign is received in the mounting frame, to surround a perimeter of the sign while permitting visibility of the front display area. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a dosing unit comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to ?0.5 mg naloxone HCl dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of ?250 ?l. Furthermore, the present invention relates to such an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form for use in the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides RNA polymerase variants for high efficiency transcription.