Abstract: A resettable torque limiter for installation between two rotary members, which can smoothly disengage upon application of predetermined torque acting between the members and smoothly reset upon decline of applied torque below the predetermined level. An undulating engagement surface formed on one member according to a function preferably an eighth power polynomial is engaged by a plurality of engagement elements on the other member which smoothly ride over lobes formed on the engagement surface when the torque limit is exceeded without causing any discontinuities in acceleration or jerk when the driving connection between the rotary members is interrupted until the applied torque declines below the preset limit.

Abstract: A method and semi-permanent system for applying various pesticides within an interior space of a building structure includes a pipeline having a plurality of solenoid valves, each valve controlled by a microcontroller so that a predetermined amount of pesticide is distributed according to a predetermined, sequential timed firing sequence. The pipeline is installed external to an interior wall surface and may extend to areas far removed from the wall. A second pipeline supplies air to the solenoid valves and the microcontroller controls the flow of air to the valves so that an effective wet spray-cold aerosol fogging may be achieved. One or more sensors may be used to monitor the interior space of the building for purposes of safety. The entire system may be controlled through a computer interface, a network interface controller, a web-based interface, or a wireless device interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directly estimating depleted ionosphere delay in a GPS receiver and using the estimate for improved navigation precision in satellite based augmentation systems.

Abstract: A modular tool for imparting profile characteristics into fluent cementitious material. The tool has an elongated base forming a permanently fixed blade, and at least one handle. The blade is configured to act as a dovetail to which any of several modular blades may frictionally fit in removable fashion. The fixed blade forms a deflector disposed to deflect removed cementitious material away from the handles. Other blades may fit by peg and socket engagement. The tool may have detachable rollers enabling the tool to advance at a controlled elevation along a wall being formed and shaped. A slide block may be arranged to engage the rollers so as to adjust their position on the tool. The tool may have integral bubble levels.

Abstract: A support system for use in an appliance includes at least one brace including a locking bar and at least one substantially vertical track configured to support the at least one brace. The at least one track includes a first side wall and a second side wall defining a channel therebetween, and a first series of teeth extending from the first side wall into the channel. The locking bar is configured to be supported at a first end on a tooth of the first series of teeth at a selected height within the appliance.

Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a leveling assembly for an appliance door is described. The leveling assembly causes vertical movement of a decorative door panel relative to an appliance door.

Abstract: A seal (200) of substantially wedge shaped cross section self adjusts and seals pivot joints (100) over a range of gap widths to be sealed.

Abstract: A manifold receives and distributes insulating foam to an interior of a consumer appliance case. The manifold includes an inlet attachable to a source of insulating foam exterior to the consumer appliance case, at least two outlets disposed at different locations within the consumer appliance case, an inlet passageway leading from the inlet further into the consumer appliance case interior, and at least two outlet passageways, each outlet passageway providing communication between the inlet passageway and a respective one of the outlets. Insulating foam received by the inlet is distributed to the interior of the consumer appliance case via the inlet passageway, outlet passageways and outlets. Related foamed-in case designs and methods of foaming-in a case are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus for a refrigerator includes a storage tank in fluid communication with a water inlet. The storage tank is configured to retain water flowing into the water inlet. An auxiliary tank is in fluid communication with the storage tank. The auxiliary tank includes a housing with a piston disposed therein. The piston is movable in a first direction to fill a portion of an interior volume of the housing with water and in a second direction to expel water from the interior volume of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure authentication for website access or other secure transaction. In one embodiment, when a user accesses a website, the web server identifies the user, and sends an authentication request to the user's mobile device. The mobile device receives the authentication requests and sends back authentication key to the web server. Upon verifying the authentication key, the web server grants access to the user.

Abstract: A method for linking together three or more powered systems to operate as a single distributed power system, the method includes identifying a first linking protocol between at least a first powered system and a second powered system, determining whether at least a third powered system is compatible with the first linking protocol, if not compatible, switching to at least a second linking protocol to find a common linking protocol between the first powered system, the second powered system, and at least the third powered system, and linking the first powered system, the second powered system, and at least the third power system to operate in a distributed power configuration when the common linking protocol is found. A system and a computer software code linking together two or more powered systems to operate as a single distributed power system are also disclosed.

Abstract: This system creates a virtual image of the user's entire operating environment using a combination of hub speed, crank speed, inclination, and acceleration measurements. With this information, the system is able to understand the output torque and speed, and through control of the transmission, change the “gear ratio” to achieve a more desired operating condition based on the individual user's preferences. In addition, this system is designed to also work with a continuously variable transmission to avoid the shortfall of the state of the art systems, which can only get within a wide range of the optimal cadence because of the fixed ratios of a derailleur system.

Abstract: A heater is provided for elevating the temperature of a surface of a refrigerator above the dew point of air surrounding the surface so as to avoid condensation. Heat energy is recovered from the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator by using a portion of the appliance's refrigeration loop to provide heat to the desired surface. A conductive element is connected with the desired surface and also placed into contact with a heated portion of the refrigeration loop to conduct heat energy therebetween. The surface and conductive element may be selectively removed and replaced from the refrigerator without the use of electric heating elements as conventionally required for removable surfaces.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, a data processing system and a computer program product for lock contention reduction. In one illustrative embodiment, the computer implemented method provides a lock to an active thread, increments a lock counter, receives a request to de-schedule the active thread, and determines whether the lock is held by the active thread. The computer implemented method, responsive to a determination that the lock is held by the active thread, adds a first pre-determined amount to a time slice of the active thread.

Abstract: A consumer appliance, such as a refrigerator, includes a door attached to the casing along a hinge side of the door. An elongated finger guard is pivotally mounted to a back surface of the door along the hinge side of the door. The finger guard has an extension portion with a floating edge and is pivotally biased to swing away from the appliance casing so that the floating edge of the extension portion engages against an item, such as a cabinet, adjacent to the appliance casing. The extension portion has a transverse width so as to slide along and remain engaged against the item adjacent to the appliance in all positions of the door.

Abstract: A power charging assembly and methods are provided to provide a pre-charge low-current state, a steady-state, high-current charging state, and an unconnect state for an electrical load of an electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV). The power charging assembly includes a positive contactor device, a negative contactor device, and a non-contactor device means. The rate at which that electrical load is pre-charged may be effectively controlled by using a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal received by the non-contactor device means. A current-only carrying positive or negative contactor may be configured with the non-contactor device means to further prevent electrical arcing of the contacts of the positive and the negative contactor during power charging assembly operation.

Abstract: A mercury ionic gas standard generator for use in the continuous emissions monitoring of exhaust flue gas streams is disclosed. More specifically, the mercury ionic gas standard generator uses a reservoir being coated with an inert silicon-based coating for transporting a volume of an aqueous ionic mercury solution to a liquid mass flow controller and vaporizer.

Abstract: A galley unit with a cart lift is provided for elevated storage of a food and beverage cart. The galley unit includes a mounting rack configured for mounting at least one first galley component thereon. The cart lift includes a platform for supporting a second galley component thereon. The platform is movable between a fully lowered, fully extended position and a fully raised, fully retracted position with the second galley component supported thereon. A support pillar is positioned to one side of the mounting rack and is operable to support and manipulate the platform in a fore-and-aft motion between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position, and in an up-and-down motion between a fully lowered position and a fully raised position. The support pillar may include an operator controlled passive lifting system for assisting manipulation of the platform.

Abstract: A pivotable guard includes a guard surface configured to be mounted to a bin such that the guard surface is pivotable about an axis; and the bin including at least one side wall and a rear wall. The guard surface is configured to pivot between a lowered position relative to the bin and a raised position relative to the bin higher than the lowered position.

Abstract: A process for check pointing in speculative execution frameworks, identifies calls to a set of setjmp/longjmp instructions to form identified calls to setjmp/longjmp, determines a control flow path between a call to a setjmp and a longjmp pair of instructions in the identified calls to setjmp/longjmp and replaces calls to the setjmp/longjmp pair of instructions with calls to an improved_setjmp and improved_longjmp instruction pair. The process creates a context data structure in memory, computes a non-volatile save/restore set and replaces the call to improved_setjmp of the setjmp/longjmp pair of instructions with instructions to save all required non-volatile and special purpose registers and replaces a call to improved_longjmp of the setjmp/longjmp pair of instructions with instructions to restore all required non-volatile and special purpose registers and to branch to an instruction immediately following a block of code containing the call to improved_setjmp.