Abstract: A system for sensing material within a container includes a container having a reservoir for storing material and an impact member configured to selectively impart an impulse force on the container to cause vibration of the container. A sensor is configured to sense the vibration of the container upon the impact member imparting the impulse force on the container. Processing circuitry in communication with the sensor is configured to determine an estimate of an amount of the material in the container based on the sensed vibration of the container.

Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a toner container having a reservoir for storing toner and an impact member configured to selectively impart an impulse force on the toner container to cause vibration of the toner container. A sensor is configured to sense the vibration of the toner container upon the impact member imparting the impulse force on the toner container. Processing circuitry in communication with the sensor is configured to determine an estimate of an amount of toner in the reservoir based on the sensed vibration of the toner container.

Abstract: A platen assembly for use with an extrusion-based 3D printer includes a grid assembly comprising at least a 4×2 framework of interlocked perpendicular x direction beams and y direction beams, providing a substantially planar upper surface and a bottom surface. The platen assembly includes a platen comprising a thin metal sheet supported on the upper surface of the grid assembly and secured to the grid assembly such that the top surface provides a substantially flat build surface. The x direction beams, the y direction beams and the platen are constructed of substantially a same thermal expansion properties, and wherein the build surface of the platen has a build surface area of at least 400 square inches and maintains its flatness to within a flatness tolerance of 0.020 inches over a temperature range of at least 20 C-300 C.

Abstract: The invention relates to mesodermal killer (MK) cells and their use in therapy, especially for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A z-lift and leveling assembly for leveling a platen in a heated chamber of a 3D printer includes first, second, third, and fourth z-actuators in a rectangular configuration. Each z-actuator includes a linear drive configured to supply motion in the z-direction and a mounting bracket secured to the linear drive and configured to move with the linear drive in the z-direction. The assembly includes a set of four pin couplings each associated with one of the first, second, third and fourth z-actuators. Each pin coupling includes a pivot block secured to the mounting bracket with a first pivot pin forming a first pin joint between the mounting bracket and the pivot block, where the pivot block is configured to move relative to the mounting bracket about a first pivot axis of the first pivot pin. The pivot block is secured to the platen or an arm of the platen with a second pivot pin forming a second pin joint such that the pivot block and the platen move relative to each other about a second pivot axis.

Abstract: A z-lift and leveling assembly for leveling a platen in a heated chamber of a 3D printer includes first, second, third, and fourth z-actuators in a rectangular configuration. Each z-actuator includes a linear drive configured to supply motion in the z-direction and a mounting bracket secured to the linear drive and configured to move with the linear drive in the z-direction. The assembly includes a set of four pin couplings each associated with one of the first, second, third and fourth z-actuators. Each pin coupling includes a pivot block secured to the mounting bracket with a first pivot pin forming a first pin joint between the mounting bracket and the pivot block, where the pivot block is configured to move relative to the mounting bracket about a first pivot axis of the first pivot pin. The pivot block is secured to the platen or an arm of the platen with a second pivot pin forming a second pin joint such that the pivot block and the platen move relative to each other about a second pivot axis.

Abstract: A platen assembly for use with an extrusion-based 3D printer includes a grid assembly comprising at least a 4×2 framework of interlocked perpendicular x direction beams and y direction beams, providing a substantially planar upper surface and a bottom surface. The platen assembly includes a platen comprising a thin metal sheet supported on the upper surface of the grid assembly and secured to the grid assembly such that the top surface provides a substantially flat build surface. The x direction beams, the y direction beams and the platen are constructed of substantially a same thermal expansion properties, and wherein the build surface of the platen has a build surface area of at least 400 square inches and maintains its flatness to within a flatness tolerance of 0.020 inches over a temperature range of at least 20 C-300 C.

Abstract: Controllable three-dimensional (3D) virtual dioramas in a rendered 3D environment such as a virtual reality or augmented reality environment including one or more rendered objects. 3D diorama is associated with a spatial computing content item such as a downloadable application executable by a computing device. 3D diorama assets may include visual and/or audio content and are presented with rendered 3D environment objects in a composite view, which is presented to a user through a display of computing device. 3D diorama is rotatable in composite view, and at least one 3D diorama asset at least partially occludes, or is at least partially occluded by, at least one rendered 3D environment object. 3D diorama may depict or provide a preview of a spatial computing user experience generated by the downloadable application.

Abstract: An airbag assembly for use within a vehicle includes an airbag, an inflator configured to provide gas to the airbag, and a housing configured to retain the inflator and the airbag in position. The housing includes first and second portions configured to be separably coupled together. The second housing portion includes a second snap mechanism for engaging with a first snap mechanism located on the first housing portion. The engaged housing portions surround and retain the inflator and the airbag in position.

Abstract: An airbag assembly for use within a vehicle includes an airbag, an inflator configured to provide gas to the airbag, and a housing configured to retain the inflator and the airbag in position. The housing includes first and second portions configured to be separably coupled together. The second housing portion includes a second snap mechanism for engaging with a first snap mechanism located on the first housing portion. The engaged housing portions surround and retain the inflator and the airbag in position.

Abstract: Can opener includes frame; rotating, toothed wheel cutting blade; and counterpoised drive wheel. A first, perforating relationship can provide the lid of a can with perforations about its outer boundary for draining liquids; and a second, lid boundary-releasing relationship, which is less than the first distance, can provide for the lid of the can being cut to completely sever it from the remainder of the can.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of determining the sky-view factor at a location. The method comprises the steps of receiving data from at least one global positioning satellite at the location, and comparing the data so obtained with a mathematical function. The function is derived from corresponding data obtained from reference locations at which the sky view factor is known, whereby to arrive at an approximation of the sky view factor at said location. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the variation in temperatures over time at locations along a survey route, particularly a road network. The method comprises the steps of establishing a database for the survey route containing location specific geographical parameters, obtaining actual and forecast meteorological data and separately predicting the temperature at each location using energy balance equations.

Abstract: A permanently attachable hose coupling for a pressurized conduit end having a generally tubular nipple and a generally cylindrical shell permanently attached to the nipple and generally surrounding the conduit end. The nipple has a longitudinal axis, first and second ends, a series of circumferential grooves located between the first and the second ends, a longitudinal through bore, and an insert portion adjacent the plurality of grooves for insertion in the conduit. Each of the series of circumferential grooves fixedly receive at least one of an inside surface, an end surface and an outside surface of the generally cylindrical shell and each of the grooves has a generally flat base portion parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first substantially vertically oriented sidewall adjacent the generally flat base portion and a second substantially vertically oriented sidewall.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of determining the sky-view factor at a location. The method comprises the steps of receiving data from at least one global positioning satellite at the location, and comparing the data so obtained with a mathematical function. The function is derived from corresponding data obtained from reference locations at which the sky view factor is known, whereby to arrive at an approximation of the sky view factor at said location. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the variation in temperatures over time at locations along a survey route, particularly a road network. The method comprises the steps of establishing a database for the survey route containing location specific geographical parameters, obtaining actual and forecast meteorological data and separately predicting the temperature at each location using energy balance equations.

Abstract: A permanently attachable hose coupling for a pressurized conduit end having a generally tubular nipple and a generally cylindrical shell permanently attached to the nipple and generally surrounding the conduit end. The nipple has a longitudinal axis, first and second ends, a series of circumferential grooves located between the first and the second ends, a longitudinal through bore, and an insert portion adjacent the plurality of grooves for insertion in the conduit. Each of the series of circumferential grooves fixedly receive at least one of an inside surface, an end surface and an outside surface of the generally cylindrical shell and each of the grooves has a generally flat base portion parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first substantially vertically oriented sidewall adjacent the generally flat base portion and a second substantially vertically oriented sidewall.

Abstract: A mat comprising shorter and longer lengths of tread portions cut from recycled tires and strung on cable is specially devised for protecting small-scale ground level ecosystems from destruction by crawler track propelled heavy equipment. To prevent earth and vegetation from being ripped up when the mat is removed after being pressed into the ground by equipment operated atop it, stiffened permanent airways, rectangular in plan view, are systematically distributed throughout the main central portion of the `hoe-chucking` mat, called such by virtue of boom-mounting excavators called `hoes`, which are forbidden (by regulations) entry to certain environmentally sensitive areas unless accompanied by mats to crawl on. The same mat can be swung through the air to knock branches off trees, but cannot be used as a blasting mat, though the service duty conditions endured in the company of hoes are comparably severe.