Abstract: This invention uses a hybrid of latticed steel and tapered tubular steel technologies. Namely, latticed steel and tapered tubular steel pole technology, to provide a more economical structural support with the advantages of each. It utilizes latticed steel hot-rolled angles for bracing elements and cold formed steel plate for main leg elements. The tapered geometry of the leg elements provides a more optimum utilization of material by the use of a non-prismatic (tapered) element profile. This element consists of a bent plate shape profile that varies in structural section modulus vertically along the height of the structure which optimizes the use of steel material to resist the applied structural loads. The arms include an invention that allows for post-tensioning and thereby provides deflection control and/or the ability to modify the natural frequencies of vibration to mitigate vortex induced vibrations caused by wind.

Abstract: An improved system and method for detecting smoke using a sensor is disclosed. The method can comprise the steps of storing in memory a plurality of smoke signatures, wherein each of the smoke signatures relates to how the sensor senses one of a plurality of particulates, each of the plurality of particulates indicative or non-indicative of a fire, and receiving current data from the sensor. Moreover, the method can comprise the steps of comparing the current data with the plurality of smoke signatures to determine if the current data matches any of the plurality of smoke signatures, and initiating an alarm sequence based at least in part on a determination as to whether the current data matches a smoke signature related to a fire-indicative particulate of the plurality of particulates.

Abstract: A process and a system for continuously depolymerizing plastic is disclosed. The system may comprise a mixer for producing a heterogeneous reaction mixture comprising plastic particles and a solvent, a pump for transmitting the reaction mixture at a particle speed sufficient to maintain the plastic particles in suspension in the solvent, a heating apparatus for heating the reaction mixture to its reaction temperature, a hold tube for maintaining the reaction mixture at or above the reaction temperature to facilitate conversion into a homogeneous reaction solution, and a settling tank to allow a solid reaction product to precipitate from the homogeneous reaction solution once cooled.

Abstract: A system for use in a well includes a completion system having a screen assembly and an alternate path system disclosed along the screen assembly, the alternate path system including a transport tube and a packing tube placed in fluid communication at a manifold via a contoured crossover port within the manifold, the manifold being disposed along the screen assembly.

Abstract: Knee prostheses that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or accommodating internal tibial rotation, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a natural way. Such prostheses may include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component featuring, among other things, a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can be shaped using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.

Abstract: Photovoltaics and an MPPT DC/DC converter powers a DC bus of a controller. It uses an electric heat pump to heat a mass like water, and also has a resistive heating element to heat the mass. A microcontroller controls a variable frequency (VFD) motor drive to power the electric heat pump when sufficient solar power is available to run the heat pump and uses the resistive element to heat the thermal mass when insufficient solar power exists for the heat pump or when excess solar power is available. A controller has an MPPT input for solar power and a VFD to provide power through an output to a heat pump-based water heater and an output to power a resistive water heating element. A microcontroller determines solar power available and runs the heat pump when possible and the resistive element when insufficient power is available or when excess power is available.

Abstract: Hemostasis valve devices and methods of use are disclosed. The hemostasis valve devices include a body member, a slide member, an introducer member, a valve cap, and a valve member. The body member and slide member can be gripped by a user's finger and thumb, respectively. The slide member can be distally displaced by the user's thumb to distally displace the introducer member through the valve member to open the valve member to allow passage of a medical appliance through the valve member. The introducer member can be selectively locked in a distal position to keep the valve open.

Abstract: A mobility augmentation system monitors a user's motor intent data and augments the user's mobility based on the monitored motor intent data. A machine-learned model is trained to identify an intended movement based on the monitored motor intent data. The machine-learned model may be trained based on generalized or specific motor intent data (e.g., user-specific motor intent data). A machine-learned model initially trained on generalized motor intent data may be re-trained on user-specific motor intent data such that the machine-learned model is optimized to the movements of the user. The system uses the machine-learned model to identify a difference between the user's monitored movement and target movement signals. Based on the identified difference, the system determines actuation signals to augment the user's movement. The actuation signals determined can be an adjustment to a currently applied actuation such that the system optimizes the actuation strategy during application.

Abstract: Devices and materials are disclosed for collecting breath samples and for testing such samples for the presence of a pathogen, for example the pathogen(s) associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In some embodiments, a collection device can include a tube into which a subject can exhale or cough, and that provides for use of a filter to capture expired sample material. In some embodiments, a sample liquid can be created from the breath sample by addition of an indicator to render a pathogen in the sample readily detectable. In some embodiments, materials are provided for an assay to detect a pathogen in the sample liquid.

Abstract: A mobility augmentation system monitors data representative of a user's motor intent and augments the user's mobility based on the monitored motor intent data. A machine-learned model is trained to identify an intended movement based on the monitored motor intent data. The machine-learned model may be trained based on generalized or specific motor intent data (e.g., user-specific motor intent data). A machine-learned model initially trained on generalized motor intent data may be re-trained on user-specific motor intent data such that the machine-learned model is optimized to the movements of the user. The system uses the machine-learned model to identify a difference between the user's monitored movement and target movement signals. Based on the identified difference, the system determines actuation signals to augment the user's movement. The actuation signals determined can be an adjustment to a currently applied actuation such that the system optimizes the actuation strategy during application.

Abstract: A system and method for automated laser ablation includes an end effector for performing laser ablation at a location with restricted access. The systems and methods of the present disclosure specifically provide for a miniature laser end effector which may be inserted through a port or bore in order to ablate the surface of an internal component of a complex assembly. In several embodiments of the present subject matter, the end effector is mounted on a machine and coupled to a laser system.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are disclosed for creating a 3D model of a patient's affected area using an imaging device, using the model to determine an implant orientation and position, creating patient-matched instrumentation, placing the patient-matched instrumentation on the patient's anatomy, registering a computer-assisted surgical tool, and acquiring registration information. The methods and systems also include associating the surgical tool with a computer to perform a computer assisted surgery. Also disclosed are embodiments of patient-matched instrumentation to acquire registration information.

Abstract: An engine valve actuation system includes a hydro-mechanical valve actuation module having a first hydro-mechanical linkage and a second hydro-mechanical linkage, each within a different housing block of a housing. Each of the first hydro-mechanical linkage and the second hydro-mechanical linkage includes a cam-follower piston in contact with a cam of a camshaft, and a valve-actuation piston hydraulically co-acting with the respective cam-follower piston. The hydro-mechanical valve actuation module may include hydro-mechanical linkages for an intake valve, for an exhaust valve, and for engine braking.

Abstract: An anti-aircraft system is described and includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a body; a wing connected to the body; and propulsion systems associated with the wing, wherein the propulsion systems comprise pylons releasably connected to opposite ends of the wing such that the propulsion systems may be selectively released from the wing during flight of the UAV.

Abstract: A technique facilitates dehydration of gravel slurry around blank pipe sections of a completion having filters for receiving carrier fluid returns. A sand screen filter system may be assembled with a first filter, a second filter, and a blank pipe section extending between the first filter and the second filter. A fixed leak off tube is mounted to the sand screen filter system such that at least a portion of the fixed leak off tube overlaps the first filter. Additionally, a slidable leak off tube is slidably mounted to the sand screen filter system. The slidable leak off tube is oriented to enable the slidable leak off tube to be slid along the blank pipe section until secured in fluid communication with the fixed leak off tube.

Abstract: Techniques are described for correlating entity identification information with refuse containers being serviced by a refuse collection vehicle (RCV). Location data can be collected by location sensor(s) on the RCV at a time when a triggering condition is present, such as a time when a lift arm is operating to empty a refuse container into the hopper of the RCV. The location data can be provided as input to an algorithm that estimates a container location through a vector offset to account for the distance and direction of the RCV lift arm relative to the location sensor in the RCV. The container location can be correlated with parcel data to determine the parcel that the container was on or near to when it was serviced, and the customer or other entity associated with the parcel can be correlated to the particular container based on the analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods to rotate security assets used to for secure communications are disclosed. The system includes initiating a communication session between two servers. Additionally, a server provides a first version of a first certificate to another server. The first version of the first certificate has identifying information including a first public key. The server receives a second certificate. The server determines that the second certificate is trusted by determining that the second certificate has identifying information matching the identifying information of the first version of the first certificate. In response to determining that the second certificate is trusted, the server encrypts the first public key. The server provides the encrypted first public key to the other server. The server then receives a verification of decryption of the encrypted first public key.

Abstract: Devices and methods used collect and transport a biological specimen are disclosed. The devices include a vial defining a specimen chamber to retain a specimen, a collection member to collect a specimen, and a cap containing a liquid medium to treat the specimen for transport. The cap includes a puncture member to puncture a seal to release the liquid medium from the cap.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods used to drain a body cavity under a vacuum are disclosed. The devices include a vacuum container and a cap. The container includes an ergonomic gripping portion to allow a user to easily handle the container in use. The cap includes a sealing member configured to selectively seal an inlet to control the flow of drainage fluid into the vacuum container.

Abstract: A system and method for automated laser ablation includes an end effector for performing laser ablation at a location with restricted access. The systems and methods of the present disclosure specifically provide for a miniature laser end effector which may be inserted through a port or bore in order to ablate the surface of an internal component of a complex assembly. In several embodiments of the present subject matter, the end effector is mounted on an automated machine and coupled to a laser system.