Abstract: A humidifier assembly (100, 100-1) includes a reservoir (120), an inlet structure (112, 112-1) leading into the reservoir and an outlet structure (114, 114-1) leading out of the reservoir, and a conduit element (130, 130-1) having a first end (131, 131-1), a body portion (132, 132-1), and a second end (133, 133-1). The first end is fluidly coupled to at least one of the inlet structure and the outlet structure The humidifier assembly additionally includes a float assembly (140, 140-1) coupled to the second end of the conduit element. The float assembly is structured to float on water held by the reservoir. The float assembly has a number of apertures (153, 153-1) structured to be in fluid communication with the outlet structure.

Abstract: An igniter assembly for a gas turbine combustor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulator. The first electrode, the second electrode, and the insulator form a cavity, the second electrode forms an outlet passage extending from the cavity, a maximum cross-sectional area of the cavity is greater than a cross-sectional area of the outlet passage, and the cross-sectional area of the outlet passage is substantially constant along a longitudinal extent of the outlet passage. In addition, the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to ionize gas within the cavity in response to an electrical current applied to the first electrode or to the second electrode.

Abstract: The speed of sound, attenuation, and reflection data obtained through quantitative Transmission ultrasound (QTUS) differs by body tissue type. Skin, fat, gland, duct and connective tissues can be classified based on the sound, attenuation, and reflection data. The system can assign coloration to breast images to provide a color-coded breast tissue volume based on the output of the classifier.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for subject matter experts (SME) to develop a computer-based Question and Answer (QA) system for their own instructional materials. The authoring system is made up of third party components that have been augmented with templates comprising content, component connections, and computer logic needed to develop a computer-based QA system for instructional materials. The invention employs a method to guide SMEs in using the authoring system to create a computer-based QA system. The resulting QA system uses learning resources to answer learner questions posed in natural language that relate to the learning objectives of the instructional materials, the type of knowledge the learner is seeking, and the type of learner to identify the intent behind learner questions. The authoring system and method greatly reduces the work of developing a computer-based QA system and improves its accuracy in answering questions about instructional materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for personalizing actionable energy management based on disambiguated energy use data includes receiving disambiguated energy use data associated with a user, receiving a user request from the user for energy use information associated with the disambiguated energy use data, based on the disambiguated energy use data and the user request, determining a personalized energy management action; and providing the personalized energy management action to the user. A task consistent with the personalized energy management action may be performed automatically, and a confirmation of the task completion is provided to the user.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine for a propeller-driven aircraft, including setting an initial maximum power limit, wherein the initial maximum power limit is associated with a maximum allowable thrust for an aircraft, receiving an indication that a predetermined aircraft condition is satisfied, and setting an updated maximum power limit.

Abstract: A method of closing a spatial gap between a first mating surface of a first snap locking feature defined by a first part and a second mating surface of a second snap locking feature defined by a second part. This method includes the steps of attaching the first and second parts to one another by sliding the first and second snap locking features over one another until the first mating surface is proximate the second mating surface and deforming a portion of the first part to fabricate a protrusion that contacts the second part and urges the second part in a direction effective to place the first and second mating surfaces into direct contact with one another.

Abstract: A cleaning system comprises a power plant, a regenerative blower having a power input shaft, a suction port, and a discharge port, an interface assembly configured for transmitting power from the power plant to the regenerative blower, a pump configured for generating pressurized water, and a heat exchanger system configured for heating the pressurized water.

Abstract: An ergonomic pet harness with an enhanced retractable leash is provided. The harness includes a harness assembly coupled to the pet, a leash mechanism with a housing coupled to the harness assembly and having an upper slot and a side opening, a rotatable spool disposed within the housing and having an upper face with a plurality of compartments disposed thereon, and a string member wound around the spool and extending out the housing's side opening, and a brake member detachably coupled to the housing's upper slot. The brake member has a protrusion designed to extend into one of the plurality of compartments in the spool to restrict rotation of the spool based on movement of the protrusion within the one of the plurality of compartments, thereby maintaining a desired length of the string member extended out the housing's side opening.

Abstract: An adapter apparatus (24, 80) for a respiratory therapy system (2) having a pressure generating device (4) and an electrical tube assembly (22) coupled to a patient interface device (8) includes a first end having a first port member (66, 94) structured to be fluidly coupled to the electrical tube assembly, a second end having a second port member (70, 88) structured to receive a flow of breathing gas generated by the pressure generating device, the adapter apparatus being structured to deliver the flow of breathing gas to the electrical tube assembly through the first port member, and a wire assembly having a first electrical connector (76, 104) structured to be electrically coupled to the electrical tube assembly and a second electrical connector structured to be electrically coupled to the pressure generating device in order to provide an electrical connection between the electrical tube assembly and the pressure generating device.

Abstract: Wireless networking methodologies and related apparatus are presented here. An embodiment of a wireless coordinator device is operated to monitor and control other wireless devices in a network. The coordinator device maintains a record that includes information related to a network topology and wireless connectivity of the wireless network. The coordinator device detects a change to the network topology or wireless connectivity of the wireless network, and analyzes the record to determine an event that caused the change to the network topology or wireless connectivity of the wireless network. Next, a diagnostic notification (that identifies the event) is communicated to a user or administrator of the wireless network.

Abstract: An airway pressure support system (2) includes a housing (4) having an air inlet opening (54), and a filter assembly (50) coupled to a plurality of receiving portions of the housing. The filter assembly is in fluid communication with the air inlet opening. The filter assembly includes a housing portion (62), a first filter media portion (64) attached to the housing portion, and first and second spring members (84, 86) attached to the housing portion, wherein the first and second spring members each have a floating portion and engage the plurality of receiving portions and cause a sealing force to be exerted against the filter assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a pillow system (40), in particular a pillow system that surrounds the subject's head. In some embodiments, the pillow system provides sound suppression. In some embodiments used with positive airways pressure (“PAP”) systems, the pillow system includes a tube that delivers breathable gas to a mask.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a pillow system, in particular a pillow system that surrounds the subject's head, and moves with the subject. In some embodiments, the pillow system provides sound suppression. In some embodiments used with positive airways pressure (“PAP”) systems, the pillow system includes a tube that delivers breathable gas to a mask.

Abstract: A cleaning system comprises a power plant, a regenerative blower having a power input shaft, a suction port, and a discharge port, an interface assembly configured for transmitting power from the power plant to the regenerative blower, a pump configured for generating pressurized water, and a heat exchanger system configured for heating the pressurized water.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system (10) configured to prevent damage from liquid spills in a humidified pressure support therapy device (50). The system is configured to decouple a humidification chamber (42) in a humidifier from a pressure generator (14) of the pressure support therapy device when a cover (48) of the humidifier is opened. This eliminates and/or reduces the possibility of liquid in an overfilled humidification chamber unintentionally and/or otherwise entering the pressure generator and damaging sensitive mechanical and/or electrical components. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more of the pressure generator, the humidifier, a subject interface (16), a sensor (18), a decoupler (100), a processor (20), electronic storage (22), a user interface (24), and/or other components.

Abstract: A decorative headgear simulating the appearance of a racing helmet is disclosed. It is in the form of a sheet of thin flexible material. The sheet is shaped and configured with a back panel (BP), a right panel (RP), a left panel (LP), a top panel (TP), a front panel (FP), and a chin cover (CC), all of which are adapted for inter-connection to form the helmet. The sheet has several pre-made lines in the sheet forming in whole or in part the headgear removable from the sheet, and wherein the sheet of thin flexible material has several pre-made fold lines in the sheet, said fold lines oriented to form said sheet into a container to hold other articles.

Abstract: A battery management system and a method for enhanced battery management of a battery containing a number of cells. The method and system measures the cell capacity of two or more of said cells, ranks the cells in order of their cell capacity values and calculates a value for a cell specific supporting current for the measured cell, for a given load, based upon the ranked cell capacity values. Calculated cell specific currents are then provided to the cells.

Abstract: A method of identifying bounded hydrocarbon formations of interest in a seismic data set includes obtaining a seismic data set, pre-processing the seismic data set, inputting the plurality of graphical model inputs and one or more rules to a graphical model, wherein the rules define a relationship between a plurality of attributes of a bounded hydrocarbon formation, running a graphical model on the graphical model inputs, post-processing the graphical model outputs, and displaying the ranked clusters in order of rank.