Abstract: A retainer for a padlock pin. The padlock pin is adapted to connect a padlock to a lug of a bucket of a rope shovel. The retainer comprises a pin attachment portion rotationally fixed to the padlock pin, and an arm, the arm comprising a bucket-facing surface. The bucket-facing surface sized to prevent rotation of the padlock pin.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric machine includes: energizing stator windings of a stator by a stator current, producing a stator magnetic field within the stator by the energized stator windings, modifying a corresponding rotor magnetic field within a ferromagnetic material within a rotor by the stator magnetic field, generating a force tangential to the rotor by a shift in the stator magnetic field, moving the rotor by the generated force tangential to the rotor, resisting a decay of a magnetic flux within the rotor by current within the rotor windings in response to the shift in the stator magnetic field, and achieving a target operational output of the electric machine. The stator magnetic field and the rotor maintain synchronicity with one another during operation of the electric machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for end-to-end automation of borrowing base calculations are disclosed. A method may include a borrowing basis computer program: (1) receiving documents for collateral, assets, and liabilities from a borrowing system for a borrower; (2) extracting information for the collateral, assets, and liabilities from the documents; (3) calculating, from the information, a borrowing base for the borrower; (4) sending the borrowing base to the borrower system; (5) receiving, by the borrowing basis computer program, acknowledgement from the borrower system; (6) setting a borrowing limit based on the borrowing base; (7) receiving updated documents for the borrower; (8) extracting updated information from the updated documents; (9) calculating, from the updated information, an updated borrowing base for the borrower; and (10) setting an updated borrowing limit based on the borrowing base.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing checks with machine-readable optical labels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing checks with machine-readable optical labels may include (1) receiving, by a presenting bank computer program executed by an electronic device, a check comprising a machine-readable optical label printed thereon, wherein the machine-readable optical label comprises a payor bank routing number that is encrypted with a private key for a payor bank; (2) reading, by the presenting bank computer program, the machine-readable optical label; (3) decrypting, by the presenting bank computer program, the machine-readable optical label using a public key corresponding to the private key; (4) identifying, by the presenting bank computer program, the payor bank routing number from the machine-readable optical label; and (5) routing, by the presenting bank computer program, the check to the payor bank associated with the payor bank routing number.

Abstract: A system for securing a passenger seat to a track can include a fitting coupled with or forming a portion of the passenger seat; a shear plunger coupled with the fitting including a shear plunger body defining a shear plunger locking surface; a guide pin assembly that may include a guide pin movable along a lift axis between a retracted state and an extended state and a locking member extending laterally from the guide pin that may travel in response to a movement of the guide pin from the retracted state to the extended state and may engage the shear plunger locking surface in response to a rotation of the guide pin in the extended state; and a quick install tool operable to raise and twist the guide pin assembly such that the locking member is held in tension against the shear plunger locking surface.

Abstract: Described is a passenger seat assembly that may include a seat back including a rearward surface, a seat shroud positioned proximate to the rearward surface of the seat back and fixedly coupled to a seat frame, wherein the seat shroud remains stationary as the seat back moves between a stowed position and a deployed position, and at least one moveable shroud member coupled to the seat shroud at an attachment point and positioned proximate a rearward surface of the seat shroud, wherein a location of the attachment point is adjustable.

Abstract: A hybrid shaft assembly for use in controlled atmosphere chambers, such as by way of example heated pedestals for semiconductor manufacturing, includes a substrate, a hub having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being secured to the substrate with an upper joining layer, and a shaft secured to the lower portion of the hub with a lower joining layer. The shaft comprises a material having a thermal conductivity lower than a material of the hub and a material of the substrate.

Abstract: Described is an adjustable friction slider assembly having a rail member and a carriage assembly moveably coupled to the rail member, the carriage assembly having a bracket member and a plurality of roller elements moveably coupled to the rail member and coupled to the bracket member using a plurality of attachment members, the plurality of roller elements comprising at least one adjustable roller element coupled to the bracket member using a moveable attachment member, wherein moving the moveable attachment member adjusts a friction between the plurality of roller elements and the rail member.

Abstract: A method for joining ceramic pieces includes placing a layer of titanium on each of a first ceramic piece and a second ceramic piece; placing a layer of nickel on each of the layers of titanium; assembling the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece with the layers of nickel and the layers of titanium between the ceramic pieces; pressing the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece with the layers of nickel and the layers of titanium together; heating the first ceramic piece, the second ceramic piece, the layers of nickel, and the layers of titanium to a joining temperature in a vacuum; and cooling the first ceramic piece, the second ceramic piece, the layers of nickel, and the layers of titanium to create a hermetic seal between the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece.

Abstract: Methods of making a composite material may include the steps of depositing a plurality of fullerenes on a first graphene sheet forming a bottom plate, placing a second graphene sheet forming a top plate on a top of the plurality of fullerenes, and fusing the plurality of fullerenes to the first graphene sheet forming the bottom plate and the second graphene sheet forming the top plate, wherein the plurality of fullerenes are converted to fullerene-derived carbon columns, and wherein the composite material comprises a tensile strength in an x-axis parallel to the plane of the graphene sheets of at least 20 GPa.

Abstract: Surgical kits for implanting a femoral fastener in a femoral bone may include the femoral fastener and at least one of: a targeting guide assembly, an anti-rotation assembly, and a plurality of tap tools. The targeting guide assembly may include a targeting guide base having a locating slot and a removal slot that are formed therethrough. The removal slot may extend from an inferior end of the targeting guide base into the locating slot. A guide pin may be placed through the locating slot and into the neck and head of the femoral bone to guide placement of the femoral fastener therein. The targeting guide base may be movable in a superior direction to release the guide pin inferiorly through the removal slot that extends from the locating slot to the inferior end of the targeting guide base.

Abstract: An imitation learning system may learn how to play a video game based on user interactions by a tester or other user of the video game. The imitation learning system may develop an imitation learning model based, at least in part, on the tester's interaction with the video game and the corresponding state of the video game to determine or predict actions that may be performed when interacting with the video game. The imitation learning system may use the imitation learning model to control automated agents that can play additional instances of the video game. Further, as the user continues to interact with the video game during testing, the imitation learning model may continue to be updated. Thus, the interactions by the automated agents with the video game may, over time, almost mimic the interaction by the user enabling multiple tests of the video game to be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor energizable by magnetic fields produced by the stator when receiving a stator current to produce relative motion between the rotor and the stator. A controller is configured to send the stator current through the stator at a current angle measured from the closest one of a pole of the rotor, determine a desired operational output of the electric machine, and determine a desired rotor motion corresponding to the desired operational output of the electric machine. The controller is further configured to calculate a vector control modulation applied to the stator that elicits the desired rotor motion, and adjust the current angle of the stator current based on the vector control modulation to cause the rotor to perform the desired rotor motion and achieve the desired operational output of the electric machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing checks with machine-readable optical labels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing checks with machine-readable optical labels may include (1) receiving, by a presenting bank computer program executed by an electronic device, a check comprising a machine-readable optical label printed thereon, wherein the machine-readable optical label comprises a payor bank routing number that is encrypted with a private key for a payor bank; (2) reading, by the presenting bank computer program, the machine-readable optical label; (3) decrypting, by the presenting bank computer program, the machine-readable optical label using a public key corresponding to the private key; (4) identifying, by the presenting bank computer program, the payor bank routing number from the machine-readable optical label; and (5) routing, by the presenting bank computer program, the check to the payor bank associated with the payor bank routing number.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an asset tracking device and, in particular, determining when an asset tracking device attached to a trailer is in close proximity to a truck. The device may enter a sleep mode when the trailer has been coupled to a truck with an electronic logging device (ELD). Thereafter, the device ceases obtaining a GPS location and transmitting the location to a central server. While the trailer and truck remain coupled, the device leverages the ELD by using it to send its GPS location to the central server and therefore, prolong its battery life.

Abstract: A layered assembly for use in a controlled atmosphere chamber includes a plurality of substrates and an electrically functioning layer embedded between two adjacent substrates of the plurality of substrates, the electrically functioning layer being a material configured to secure the two adjacent substrates together using a solid-state bonding process. An electrical termination area is integral with the electrically functioning layer, and a peripheral sealing band is embedded between and extends around a periphery of internal faces of the two adjacent substrates, the peripheral sealing band being a material configured to secure and seal the two adjacent substrates together using the solid-state bonding process. Dielectric regions are present between the two adjacent substrates and between edge boundaries of the electrically functioning layer, the dielectric regions being sealed between the two adjacent substrates by the peripheral sealing band.

Abstract: Described are passenger seat bottom assemblies that include a layered seat bottom assembly formed of a first face sheet, a lightweight core layer, and a second face sheet bonded together, preferably in a flat or substantially flat arrangement. The core layer can be a honeycomb structure, e.g. a metal or aluminum honeycomb, or a foam, that confers a high strength and stiffness to the seat bottom assembly with minimal forming and minimal weight.

Abstract: A method for the joining of ceramic pieces includes applying a layer of titanium on a first ceramic piece and applying a layer of titanium on a second ceramic piece; applying a layer of nickel on each of the layers of titanium on the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece; applying a layer of nickel phosphorous to each of the layers of nickel on the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece; assembling the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece with the layers of titanium, nickel, and nickel phosphorous therebetween; pressing the layer of nickel phosphorous of the first ceramic piece against the layer of nickel phosphorous of the second ceramic piece; heating the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece to a joining temperature in a vacuum; and cooling the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece. A hermetic seal is formed between the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece.

Abstract: A method includes: determining a mass of a golf shaft having a length; determining a center of mass of the golf shaft; determining one or more characteristics of an insert based on: the mass of the golf shaft; and a target mass for golf shafts having the length; determining a location of the insert between a first end of the golf shaft where a golf grip is to be attached and a second end of the golf shaft where a golf club head is to be attached based on: the center of mass of the golf shaft; and a target center of mass for golf shafts having the length; and inserting an insert having the determined one or more characteristics within an interior of the golf shaft at the determined location, thereby creating an interference fit between the insert and the interior of the golf shaft.