Abstract: A system for testing trainline communications includes a command test box, a remote test box, and a controller. The command test box is coupled to a first electric coupler at a first end of a consist including one or more cars of a railroad train. The command test box applies a test signal to the first electric coupler and wirelessly transmits an indication of the test signal. The remote test box is coupled to a second electric coupler at a second end of the consist, and determines whether the test signal is present at the second electric coupler and wirelessly transmits an indication of the test signal. The controller communicates wirelessly with the test boxes to determine whether the test signal has successfully traversed the consist.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for evaluating a product sampling event. The disclosed methods, systems and devices receive from a user a user identification specific to the user and compare the user identification to a user data set stored on a computer-readable medium. A sample is then delivered based on a predetermined condition, and a product value is changed after the step of causing delivery of the sample of the product. It can then be determined whether the user purchased the product after delivery of the sample of the product and, based on that determination, a sampling event value can be assigned. The user's preferences can also be used to provide a more custom sample with a user's order for example, with online or home delivery shopping.

Abstract: A synthetic jet pump and a method of pumping fluid using such a synthetic jet pump are disclosed. The synthetic jet pump includes a plurality of first stacks disposed in a series arrangement relative to each other, and a plurality of first valves. A first stack of the plurality of first stacks includes a plurality of first connector pairs coupled to a first support structure and a plurality of first bimorph pairs. The first connector pairs and the first bimorph pairs are disposed in a parallel arrangement relative to each other respectively. A bimorph of one of the first bimorph pairs is coupled to a corresponding first connector pair. The plurality of first valves is disposed at an upstream end of the plurality of first stacks. A valve of the plurality of first valves is movably coupled to a corresponding connector of the plurality of the first connector pairs.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed maintaining playback of content at a target or desired playback time. A playback device may be configured to compare a current playback time of a content asset to a target playback time of the content asset and to determine, for each comparison, whether a difference between the current playback time and the target playback time has reached a threshold. Based on determining that the difference between the current playback time and the target playback time has reached a threshold, the playback device may seek to the target playback time of the content asset. The playback device may be configured to repeatedly perform the comparing, determining and seeking operations in order to maintain the current playback time of the content within the threshold of the target playback time.

Abstract: A system for testing trainline communications includes a command test box, a remote test box, and a controller. The command test box is coupled to a first electric coupler at a first end of a consist including one or more cars of a railroad train. The command test box applies a test signal to the first electric coupler and wirelessly transmits an indication of the test signal. The remote test box is coupled to a second electric coupler at a second end of the consist, and determines whether the test signal is present at the second electric coupler and wirelessly transmits an indication of the test signal. The controller communicates wirelessly with the test boxes to determine whether the test signal has successfully traversed the consist.

Abstract: A flow control actuator includes at least one side wall, an upstream wall coupled to an upstream end of the side wall, a downstream cap coupled to a downstream end of the side wall, the downstream cap comprising at least one orifice disposed therein, at least one fuel injector disposed in at least one of the upstream wall, and the sidewall, the fuel injector dispersing fuel into the interior of the flow control actuator, and at least one oxidizer inlet disposed in at least one of the upstream wall and the sidewall, the at least one oxidizer inlet introducing an oxidizer into the interior of the flow control actuator. The flow control actuator includes at least one external fuel injector disposed adjacent to the side wall. The fuel from the fuel injector and oxidizer from the oxidizer inlet ignite in the interior of the flow control actuator.

Abstract: A compressor includes a plurality of synthetic jet assemblies. Each synthetic jet assembly of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies is in fluid communication with at least one other synthetic jet assembly of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies. Each synthetic jet assembly of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies includes a first side plate and a second side plate. The first side plate includes a first bimorph piezoelectric structure. The second side plate includes a second bimorph piezoelectric structure. The first side plate and the second side plate define a first fluid cavity extending between the first side plate and the second side plate.

Abstract: A mechanical-coupling device is described. The mechanical-coupling device includes a toggle bolt with a fixture in a bolt head that remateably mechanically couples to an attachment tool. The device may further include an anchor nut having an anchor wing or tab. During mechanical coupling of the anchor nut to the bolt with a mounting material, such as a wall, countertop or sink, between the bolt head and the anchor nut, the fixture may convey a pulling force, from the attachment tool, that results in fixing a position of the anchor nut with the anchor wing or tab in a deployed position. Moreover, the fixture may convey a rotational torque, from the attachment tool, about a symmetry axis of the bolt that rotates the bolt relative to the fixed position of the anchor nut so that a distance between the bolt head and the anchor nut decreases.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for evaluating a product sampling event. The disclosed methods, systems and devices receive from a user a user identification specific to the user and compare the user identification to a user data set stored on a computer-readable medium. A sample is then delivered based on a predetermined condition, and a product value is changed after the step of causing delivery of the sample of the product. It can then be determined whether the user purchased the product after delivery of the sample of the product and, based on that determination, a sampling event value can be assigned. The user's preferences can also be used to provide a more custom sample with a user's order for example, with online or home delivery shopping.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for evaluating a product sampling event. The disclosed methods, systems and devices receive from a user a user identification specific to the user and compare the user identification to a user data set stored on a computer-readable medium. A sample is then delivered based on a predetermined condition, and a product value is changed after the step of causing delivery of the sample of the product. It can then be determined whether the user purchased the product after delivery of the sample of the product and, based on that determination, a sampling event value can be assigned.

Abstract: A virtual aerodynamic component for a wind turbine including at least one rotor blade connected to a hub. The at least one rotor blade defines an inner portion and a profiled outer portion. The virtual aerodynamic component includes one or more air-blowing units configured to provide a flow of air substantially opposed to an incoming wind. The flow of air defines the virtual aerodynamic component in front of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade and provides for redirection of the incoming wind toward the profiled outer portion of the at least one rotor blade in an operational state and allows the incoming wind to flow toward the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade in a non-operational state. Further described is a wind turbine including the above-described virtual aerodynamic component and method for aerodynamic performance enhancement of an existing wind turbine.

Abstract: A body garment including sensors distributed throughout the garment, each sensor senses body state information from a local surface area of a body; and sensor nodes in proximity to the plurality of sensors, each sensor node including a processor to receive sensing body state information from at least one of the plurality of sensors. Each processor is configured to receive body state information locally from sensors, to utilize the information to determine a local surface shape of the surface of a portion of the body part; and to exchange local surface shape information with neighboring sensor nodes. At least one processor of utilizes the local surface shape information received from the sensor nodes to generate one overall model of a surface shape of the entire surface of the body part covered by the garment.

Abstract: A device and methods for measuring the tension applied to a suture are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a housing comprising at least one attachment point for attachment of the suture, for the device to hang from the suture when a tension is applied to the suture. The device may also comprise a force sensing unit, contained in the housing and configured to measure the amount of tension applied to the suture.

Abstract: Provided herein are analytical methods utilizing a self-limiting catalytic reaction, and compositions and kits useful therefore. In one aspect the method is used to quantify Pd, and in another, the method is a horseradish peroxidase assay.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a lock cylinder comprising: a plug assembly having a front portion and a back portion; a housing shell within which the plug assembly is rotatably disposed, wherein the housing shell includes a notch; wherein the back portion of the plug assembly comprises: a locking pin that is movably disposed, and wherein the locking pin is configured to prevent a rotation of the plug assembly when the locking pin is engaged in the notch and prevented from retracting by a multi-stable mechanism; and the multi-stable mechanism having at least two stable configurations corresponding to respectively to a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the multi-stable mechanism can maintain the stable configurations without consuming energy; wherein, at a first stable configuration, the multi-stable mechanism prevents the locking pin from retracting, and, at a second stable configuration, the multi-stable mechanism enables the locking pin to retract.

Abstract: A synthetic jet pump and a method of pumping fluid using such a synthetic jet pump are disclosed. The synthetic jet pump includes a plurality of first stacks disposed in a series arrangement relative to each other, and a plurality of first valves. A first stack of the plurality of first stacks includes a plurality of first connector pairs coupled to a first support structure and a plurality of first bimorph pairs. The first connector pairs and the first bimorph pairs are disposed in a parallel arrangement relative to each other respectively. A bimorph of one of the first bimorph pairs is coupled to a corresponding first connector pair. The plurality of first valves is disposed at an upstream end of the plurality of first stacks. A valve of the plurality of first valves is movably coupled to a corresponding connector of the plurality of the first connector pairs.

Abstract: A deployable aerodynamic component configured to be mounted to a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes at least one rotor blade. The deployable aerodynamic component configured to be positioned in front of an inner portion of the at least one rotor blade, and is structurally configured to cover a substantial portion of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade in a wind direction during deployment of the deployable aerodynamic component and to allow the passage therethrough of an incoming wind when non-deployed. Further described is a wind turbine including the above-described deployable aerodynamic component and method for aerodynamic performance enhancement of an existing wind turbine, wherein the method includes mounting the above-described deployable aerodynamic component to a wind turbine.

Abstract: A faucet assembly device which includes an adapter having a bolt with an axially extending internally threaded bore, and an anchor tab which extends axially from the bolt and includes a radially extending protrusion is disclosed. The adapter is configured to rotatably mechanically couple to an outer surface of a faucet fixture and mount the faucet fixture through a hole in a barrier such as a countertop or sink from a faucet side of the barrier so that the anchor tab may hold the faucet fixture securely on the barrier. The device may also include an alignment tool which allows measurement of a thickness of the barrier and provides alignment of the adapter on the faucet fixture at a position corresponding to the thickness of the barrier. Also disclosed are kits which include the adapter and alignment tool, and methods of use of the devices and kits.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention planting containers and associated trays for the production, distribution and display of plants where the planting containers have a channel in the base for engaging with a production or display tray for positioning plant pots in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the plant container is a flower pot which comprises an upper part; a middle part connected at one end to the upper part; and a bottom part connected to an opposite end of the middle part; the bottom part having a channel extending from one side of the bottom part to the other side of the bottom part; said channel having an apex perpendicular to an axis of the pot, first and second sides, and a plurality of slots at the apex for engaging with a rail system on the tray having teeth.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to generating an image of an acoustic field associated with an underwater region. A plurality of submersible sensing devices (SSDs) are disposed so as to be substantially separate from each other in an underwater region, wherein each respective SSD is configured to execute a sink/float mission. During at least a portion of the sink/float mission, within each SSD, an environmental sensor measures at least one environmental parameter, a position sensor detects position information, an acoustic detection sensor detects at least one underwater signal, and a data recording system records mission data. After the sink/float mission, a processor receives mission data from the SSDs and generates an acoustic field image. Advantageously, during the sink/float mission some SSDs can transmit an orthogonal high time-bandwidth signal to help prevent interference between SSD during acoustic detection.