Abstract: A blind fastener is disclosed having a bolt part, a sleeve part, and a tubular insulating sheath. The bolt part is at least partially received within the sleeve part. A first end of the sheath is retained on the bolt part such that relative axial movement between the first end of the sheath and the bolt part is substantially prevented. The blind fastener is movable between: a pre-installation configuration in which the sleeve part has a first axial position relative to the bolt part and a predetermined section of the sheath is adjacent an outer surface of the sleeve part; and a post-installation configuration in which the sleeve part has a second, different axial position relative to the bolt part and the predetermined section of the sheath is adjacent an inner surface of the sleeve part.

Abstract: A method of joining a first workpiece to a second workpiece is disclosed including securing a spark containment cap to the first workpiece, the cap comprising an electrically insulating washer and a cap body defining an air cavity. Once the cap has been secured, a tail of a fastener is inserted into the air cavity through the second workpiece, the first workpiece and the washer. Upon tightening the fastener, the tail of the fastener urges the washer against the first workpiece and the first and second workpiece are thereby clamped between the washer and a head of the fastener so as to form a joint. Advantageously, it has been found that forming a joint in this manner can help to better protect the joint from the effects of electrical arcing.

Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) including a base (12) having a plurality of compartments (16) to hold product. The dispenser (10) further includes a lid (14) operatively associated with the base (12) and adapted to be pivotally secured to the base (12). The lid (14) includes a lid opening (24) which is adapted to be aligned with a single compartment (16) of the base (12) upon rotation of the lid (14) so that a user can access product held within the single compartment (16). The dispenser (10) includes aa sub-lid assembly (38) operatively adapted to control pivotal movement of the lid (14) relative to the base (12) thus controlling access to the compartments (16).

Abstract: An environment association system (“EAS”) comprising: a processor and a memory; an object recognition process configured to identify objects within images, the objects including one or more of a vehicle, a vehicle lift, a vehicle repair tool, and an alignment fixture; and an EAS interface configured to communicate with a user device, the user device comprising a camera and a display; wherein the processor is configured to: determine, for at least one object in the set of objects, create a virtual overlay for the image based on the position of the at least one object within the image and a virtual marking associated with the at least one object; and provide the virtual overlay to the user device, wherein the virtual overlay is configured to cause the user device to simultaneously display the image and the virtual overlay via the display. The system provides information about the alignment of lifting points of the object with lifting members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that reduces fault currents in a power grid, thereby reducing the risk of unintentionally igniting a fire when an object comes in proximity to a high voltage power line. The circuit comprises an isolation transformer, a neutral connection, a current compensating device, and an automatic recloser or other circuit interrupting type protection system. The isolation transformer may comprise a delta-delta or delta-zigzag transformer with a one-to-one ratio between the input and output voltages and phase angle. The current compensating device is connected to the neutral and configured to redirect a substantial portion of a fault current to ground through the isolation transformer neutral instead of the fault itself. The current compensating device may comprise an arc suppression coil tuned to match the capacitance of the three phase outputs, or an inverter.

Abstract: A method of joining a first workpiece to a second workpiece is disclosed including securing a spark containment cap to the first workpiece, the cap comprising an electrically insulating washer and a cap body defining an air cavity. Once the cap has been secured, a tail of a fastener is inserted into the air cavity through the second workpiece, the first workpiece and the washer. Upon tightening the fastener, the tail of the fastener urges the washer against the first workpiece and the first and second workpiece are thereby clamped between the washer and a head of the fastener so as to form a joint. Advantageously, it has been found that forming a joint in this manner can help to better protect the joint from the effects of electrical arcing.

Abstract: A blind fastener is disclosed having a bolt part, a sleeve part, and a tubular insulating sheath. The bolt part is at least partially received within the sleeve part. A first end of the sheath is retained on the bolt part such that relative axial movement between the first end of the sheath and the bolt part is substantially prevented. The blind fastener is movable between: a pre-installation configuration in which the sleeve part has a first axial position relative to the bolt part and a predetermined section of the sheath is adjacent an outer surface of the sleeve part; and a post-installation configuration in which the sleeve part has a second, different axial position relative to the bolt part and the predetermined section of the sheath is adjacent an inner surface of the sleeve part.

Abstract: A blind fastener is disclosed having a head, a shaft with a tail, a tail of the blind fastener including the tail of the shaft and a sleeve surrounding the tail of the shaft, and a barrier secured to the tail of the blind fastener. The sleeve is configured to expand away from the tail of the shaft to form an expanded sleeve which is forced against a face of a workpiece to clamp the workpiece between the head and the expanded sleeve. The barrier is configured to be forced against the face of the workpiece to form a sealed cover around the tail of the blind fastener.

Abstract: A blind fastener configured to be installed in a bore of a given length is disclosed and having a sleeve member configured to deform during installation of the blind fastener; a bolt member at least partially received within the sleeve member; and an insulating member fixedly disposed on the sleeve member. The sleeve member has a predefined outer surface region that is arranged to be disposed within the bore after installation of the blind fastener. The insulating member and the sleeve member are mutually configured such that the insulating member is present on a first sub-region of the predefined outer surface region and is not present on a second sub-region of the predefined outer surface region. Each of the first and second sub-regions comprises a complete circumference of the sleeve member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that reduces fault currents in a power grid, thereby reducing the risk of unintentionally igniting a fire when an object comes in proximity to a high voltage power line. The circuit comprises an isolation transformer, a neutral connection, a current compensating device, and an automatic recloser or other circuit interrupting type protection system. The isolation transformer may comprise a delta-delta or delta-zigzag transformer with a one-to-one ratio between the input and output voltages and phase angle. The current compensating device is connected to the neutral and configured to redirect a substantial portion of a fault current to ground through the isolation transformer neutral instead of the fault itself. The current compensating device may comprise an arc suppression coil tuned to match the capacitance of the three phase outputs, or an inverter.

Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.

Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.

Abstract: An environment association system (“EAS”) comprising: a processor and a memory; an object recognition process configured to identify objects within images, the objects including one or more of a vehicle, a vehicle lift, a vehicle repair tool, and an alignment fixture; and an EAS interface configured to communicate with a user device, the user device comprising a camera and a display; wherein the processor is configured to: determine, for at least one object in the set of objects, create a virtual overlay for the image based on the position of the at least one object within the image and a virtual marking associated with the at least one object; and provide the virtual overlay to the user device, wherein the virtual overlay is configured to cause the user device to simultaneously display the image and the virtual overlay via the display. The system provides information about the alignment of lifting points of the object with lifting members.

Abstract: A method for suppressing a non-periodic random event in a proximity system includes: receiving an output signal generated by a proximity sensor in the proximity system and monitoring at least a magnitude of the output signal; determining whether a spike having a magnitude exceeding a prescribed threshold value has occurred in the output signal; when a spike in the output signal is detected, setting an output of the proximity system to a prescribed level for a prescribed duration of time; when the prescribed duration of time has elapsed, determining whether the output signal meets one or more prescribed criteria indicative of a shutdown condition; when it is determined that the output signal meets the prescribed criteria, setting the output of the proximity system to a level exceeding an alarm threshold; and when it is determined that the output signal fails to meet at least one of the prescribed criteria, releasing suppression of the output of the proximity system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatic game generation are described. The method may include receiving, from a first video game console, a first game play result of a first user playing a video game; receiving, from a second video game console, a second game play result of a second user playing the video game; producing, by comparing the first game play result with the second game play results, a message comprising a recommendation for the first user to improve a future game play result over the first game play result, wherein the message further references the second game play result; and communicating the recommendation to the first user.

Abstract: A method for suppressing a non-periodic random event in a proximity system includes: receiving an output signal generated by a proximity sensor in the proximity system and monitoring at least a magnitude of the output signal; determining whether a spike having a magnitude exceeding a prescribed threshold value has occurred in the output signal; when a spike in the output signal is detected, setting an output of the proximity system to a prescribed level for a prescribed duration of time; when the prescribed duration of time has elapsed, determining whether the output signal meets one or more prescribed criteria indicative of a shutdown condition; when it is determined that the output signal meets the prescribed criteria, setting the output of the proximity system to a level exceeding an alarm threshold; and when it is determined that the output signal fails to meet at least one of the prescribed criteria, releasing suppression of the output of the proximity system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatic game generation are described. The method may include receiving, from a first video game console, a first game play result of a first user playing a video game; receiving, from a second video game console, a second game play result of a second user playing the video game; producing, by comparing the first game play result with the second game play results, a message comprising a recommendation for the first user to improve a future game play result over the first game play result, wherein the message further references the second game play result; and communicating the recommendation to the first user.

Abstract: Operating an online transaction processing system to perform an application including a first module call by performing the following steps (not necessarily in the following order): (i) assigning a dedicated search path to the application, where the search path specifies an ordered set of location(s) for searching for module code, the set of location(s) includes at least a first dynamic module library and the first dynamic module library is ahead of any other locations which may be included in the dedicated search path; (ii) running the application through the transaction processing system; (iii) receiving the first module call, from the running of the application, specifying a requested module using a requested module name; and (iv) in response to the module call, locating the requested module based on the requested module name and the dedicated search path.

Abstract: Operating an online transaction processing system to perform an application including a first module call by performing the following steps (not necessarily in the following order): (i) assigning a dedicated search path to the application, where the search path specifies an ordered set of location(s) for searching for module code, the set of location(s) includes at least a first dynamic module library and the first dynamic module library is ahead of any other locations which may be included in the dedicated search path; (ii) running the application through the transaction processing system; (iii) receiving the first module call, from the running of the application, specifying a requested module using a requested module name; and (iv) in response to the module call, locating the requested module based on the requested module name and the dedicated search path.