Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a stackable distributed communication and control hub (DCCH) configured to provide a wide viewing angle for instantly inspecting multiple connections when multiple DCCHs are stacked. In an illustrative example, a DCCH may include multiple connection ports distributed on one or more edge surfaces. An offset bracket, for example, may couple two DCCHs, each at a coupling surface of the corresponding DCCH. Upon coupling, the DCCHs are held at substantially parallel planes. For example, a first DCCH is offset from a second DCCH in two directions. In a first direction, respective planes are offset along a vertical axis by a predetermined first offset. In a second direction, the DCCHs are offset by a predetermined second offset, orthogonal to the first direction. Various embodiments may advantageously allow visual status of the connection ports visible in at least one viewing angle along the vertical axis.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an electric motor includes a rotor core, a plurality of magnets, and a rotor core mold member. The rotor core defines a rotor bore and a plurality of cavities distributed about the rotor bore and extending through the rotor core. The plurality of magnets are disposed in the plurality of cavities. The rotor core mold member extends through the plurality of cavities to retain the plurality of magnets therein and, from the cavities, extends to a first end of the rotor core forming a containment ring at the first end. The containment ring forms a rim above a surface of the first end to restrict flow of a fluid to an outer side surface of the rotor core.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a stackable distributed communication and control hub (DCCH) configured to provide a wide viewing angle for instantly inspecting multiple connections when multiple DCCHs are stacked. In an illustrative example, a DCCH may include multiple connection ports distributed on one or more edge surfaces. An offset bracket, for example, may couple two DCCHs, each at a coupling surface of the corresponding DCCH. Upon coupling, the DCCHs are held at substantially parallel planes. For example, a first DCCH is offset from a second DCCH in two directions. In a first direction, respective planes are offset along a vertical axis by a predetermined first offset. In a second direction, the DCCHs are offset by a predetermined second offset, orthogonal to the first direction. Various embodiments may advantageously allow visual status of the connection ports visible in at least one viewing angle along the vertical axis.

Abstract: An electric machine rotor includes a core, magnets, and a resin. The core defines pockets. The core defines notches extending from outer ends of each pocket. The core defines cavities each extending between inner ends of and connecting two of the pockets. The magnets are disposed within each of the pockets. The resin is disposed within each pocket and each cavity. The resin encases each magnet and secures each magnet to at least one of the plates. The gaskets are each disposed along an outer end of each pocket. The gaskets are configured to retain the resin within the pockets and the cavities. The gaskets are also configured to isolate the resin from the notches.

Abstract: A personal-hygiene fluid is dispensed from a system including a wall-mountable support bracket, a replaceable dispenser assembly, and a cover shell. The dispenser assembly includes a container holding the fluid and a dispensing pump attached to the container, with the dispenser assembly removably positionable on the bracket. And the shell removably fits onto the bracket and over the container to obscure the container from view. In some embodiments, the dispenser assembly includes a collar attached between the container and the dispensing pump, and the bracket includes a recess that receives the collar to removably mount the dispenser assembly to the bracket. In some embodiments, the shell and the bracket include engaging slide surfaces the enable the shell to vertically slide on and off of the bracket. Also disclosed are a method of replacing the containers of the system, and replacement containers for use in the system and method.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a stackable distributed communication and control hub (DCCH) configured to provide a wide viewing angle for instantly inspecting multiple connections when multiple DCCHs are stacked. In an illustrative example, a DCCH may include multiple connection ports distributed on one or more edge surfaces. An offset bracket, for example, may couple two DCCHs, each at a coupling surface of the corresponding DCCH. Upon coupling, the DCCHs are held at substantially parallel planes. For example, a first DCCH is offset from a second DCCH in two directions. In a first direction, respective planes are offset along a vertical axis by a predetermined first offset. In a second direction, the DCCHs are offset by a predetermined second offset, orthogonal to the first direction. Various embodiments may advantageously allow visual status of the connection ports visible in at least one viewing angle along the vertical axis.

Abstract: An electric motor may be provided having a rotor shaft having an internal oil channel therein and a plurality of radial feed oil channels positioned about a middle and center of the rotor shaft, a rotor core, the rotor core having a plurality of axial channels therein, and a pair of end plates coupled to the rotor shaft, where each end plate has alternating inclined channels and drain holes so as to alternate a flow direction of the oil in each adjacent pole.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a rotor core that defines a plurality of cavities and includes a plurality of laminations having annular bodies and stackably arranged to form the rotor core. The plurality of laminations includes a plurality of notch laminations and at least one tab lamination. Each notch lamination defines a plurality of first apertures. Each first aperture has a notch at a portion of the first aperture. The tab lamination defines a plurality of second apertures and includes flexible tabs extending toward the second apertures. The plurality of first apertures and the plurality of second apertures define at least a portion of the plurality of the cavities. A set of notch laminations are stacked with the tab lamination, where the notches of the set of notch laminations align with the flexible tabs of the tab lamination.

Abstract: A personal-hygiene fluid is dispensed from a system including a wall-mountable support bracket, a replaceable dispenser assembly, and a cover shell. The dispenser assembly includes a container holding the fluid and a dispensing pump attached to the container, with the dispenser assembly removably positionable on the bracket. And the shell removably fits onto the bracket and over the container to obscure the container from view. In some embodiments, the dispenser assembly includes a collar attached between the container and the dispensing pump, and the bracket includes a recess that receives the collar to removably mount the dispenser assembly to the bracket. In some embodiments, the shell and the bracket include engaging slide surfaces the enable the shell to vertically slide on and off of the bracket. Also disclosed are a method of replacing the containers of the system, and replacement containers for use in the system and method.

Abstract: A personal-hygiene fluid is dispensed from a system including a wall-mountable support bracket, a replaceable dispenser assembly, and a cover shell. The dispenser assembly includes a container holding the fluid and a dispensing pump attached to the container, with the dispenser assembly removably positionable on the bracket. And the shell removably fits onto the bracket and over the container to obscure the container from view. In some embodiments, the dispenser assembly includes a collar attached between the container and the dispensing pump, and the bracket includes a recess that receives the collar to removably mount the dispenser assembly to the bracket. In some embodiments, the shell and the bracket include engaging slide surfaces the enable the shell to vertically slide on and off of the bracket. Also disclosed are a method of replacing the containers of the system, and replacement containers for use in the system and method.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a dynamically reconfigurable distributed communication and control hub (DCCH) configured to identify and configure its multiple connection ports independently and automatically. In an illustrative example, the DCCH may include a controller circuit and multiple independent reconfigurable connection ports (IRCPs). For example, the DCCH may be connected to multiple edge devices and controllers at the IRCPs. The edge devices and controllers may use different communication protocols. Upon receiving a signal at a IRCP, for example, the control circuit may retrieve a first predetermined set of rules to determine whether the IRCP is to be operated as a master port, a slave port, or a pass-through port. Based on a second set of rules, for example, the control circuit may determine a communication protocol of the IRCP. Various embodiments may advantageously avoid human intervention in setting up each of the multiple IRCPs of the DCCH.

Abstract: Point-of-use water heating systems, systems including such heating systems, and methods of operating such systems are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, a point-of-use water heating system includes a thermostatic mixing valve and a hot water tank configured to heat a portion of input water received from the mixing valve to become heated water having an elevated temperature. The heating system includes an actuatable valve and a buffering chamber having an outlet configured to provide, at least indirectly, output water having an output temperature less than the elevated temperature. The mixing valve is configured to output mixed water, and buffering chamber is configured to retain a residual portion of the mixed water when the actuatable valve is switched to a closed status. When the actuatable valve is subsequently switched to an open status, an amount of water communicated from the mixing valve undergoes a mixing with the residual portion.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a plurality of laminations stacked to form a rotor core that defines a plurality of pockets and coolant passageways, a plurality of magnets disposed within the pockets, and a molded cage. The molded cage includes a plurality of columns securing the magnets within the pockets, and a pair of endcaps covering portions of the pockets on opposite ends of the rotor core such that the endcaps are connected with the columns. The endcaps define a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the coolant passageways.

Abstract: A rotor is disclosed for an eMachine of an electric vehicle. The rotor includes a plurality of laminations stacked together to form a motor core. The laminations define a plurality of shaft segment openings and a plurality of magnet retaining openings that are axially aligned, and extend parallel to an axis of rotation of the motor core. A plurality of shaft segments are received in the shaft segment openings that extend through the plurality of laminations. A first end and a second end of the shaft segments extend to opposite axial ends of the plurality of laminations that are stacked together to form the motor core. A first end cap and a second end cap are secured with fasteners to the first ends and the second ends of the shaft segments, respectively.

Abstract: An optical network communication system utilizes a passive optical network (PON) and includes an optical line terminal (OLT) having a downstream transmitter and an upstream receiver, and an optical network unit (ONU) having a downstream receiver and an upstream transmitter. The downstream transmitter is configured to provide a coherent downlink transmission, and the downstream receiver is configured to obtain one or more downstream parameters from the coherent downlink transmission. The system further includes a long fiber configured to carry the coherent downlink transmission between the OLT and the ONU. The ONU is configured to communicate to the OLT a first upstream ranging request message, the OLT is configured to communicate to the ONU a first downstream acknowledgement in response to the upstream first ranging request message, and the ONU is configured to communicate to the OLT a second upstream ranging request message based on the first downstream acknowledgement.

Abstract: Personal use articles such as dispensers are inconspicuously locked and unlocked to a base unit with a mechanical or magnetic key. A projection extends downwardly from the bottom surface of each article, such that when the projection is received by the base unit, the lower surface of the article is seen to be resting upon the upper surface of the base unit, visually obscuring the opening into the base unit. A mechanism captures the projection(s), thereby locking the article to the base unit. The projection may include a peripheral groove, and the mechanism may include a structure that engages with the groove to lock the article to the base unit. The structure may comprise a plunger, a hinged panel with cut-out that engages with the groove, or a panel with a shaped opening that slides within the base unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an electronic computing device is provided that includes a cooling pad. The cooling pad includes a housing and a top which has openings. A cooling object is positioned within the housing and an electronic computing device is positioned on the cooling pad top. Air within the housing flows through the openings in the cooling pad top to cool the electronic computing device.

Abstract: An optical network communication system utilizes a passive optical network (PON) and includes an optical line terminal (OLT) having a downstream transmitter and an upstream receiver, and an optical network unit (ONU) having a downstream receiver and an upstream transmitter. The downstream transmitter is configured to provide a coherent downlink transmission, and the downstream receiver is configured to obtain one or more downstream parameters from the coherent downlink transmission. The system further includes a long fiber configured to carry the coherent downlink transmission between the OLT and the ONU. The ONU is configured to communicate to the OLT a first upstream ranging request message, the OLT is configured to communicate to the ONU a first downstream acknowledgement in response to the upstream first ranging request message, and the ONU is configured to communicate to the OLT a second upstream ranging request message based on the first downstream acknowledgement.

Abstract: A patient transport system comprising a patient support apparatus and a wheeled accessory. The wheeled accessory comprises an accessory base and at least two legs radially extending outwardly from the accessory base. The legs are spaced apart from one another to define an accommodation space between two legs. The patient support apparatus comprises a patient support base, and wheels coupled to the patient support base. The patient support apparatus further comprises an accessory coupler capable of releasably securing the wheeled accessory to the patient support apparatus, the accessory coupler movable relative to the patient support base into first and second positions. The accessory base and the patient support apparatus are configured such that at least one of the wheels is at least partially nested within the accommodation space when the wheeled accessory is secured to the accessory coupler and the accessory coupler is in the first position.