Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing an average particle size of blackwater solids is disclosed. A vessel is configured to receive a blackwater stream through a one-way inlet. The one-way inlet is configured to allow the blackwater stream into the vessel and prevent backflow. The blackwater stream contains blackwater solids and water. A device in a bottom portion of the vessel is configured to receive the blackwater and comminute the blackwater solids. A recirculating pump is configured to recirculate the blackwater stream under pressure through the device until the average particle size of the blackwater solids is reduced below a size threshold, resulting in a sized blackwater stream.

Abstract: A trailer hitch is disclosed. A weight distribution hitch includes an attachment member with a forward end which attaches to a vehicle and a rearward end which pivotally connects to a trailer. The invention also includes a moment bar which attaches to the attachment member on one and tension mechanism on the other. The tension mechanism is mounted on a frame of the trailer and provides an upward force on the moment bar which imposes a moment on the attachment member. Center lines of the attachment member, moment bar, and the vehicle are all in a vertical plane. The invention may also include an aperture disposed in the moment bar through which the tension mechanism passes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of peptides, and the corresponding proteins, that can be used in methods for the detection of autologous blood doping. More specifically, the invention relates to methods comprising tryptic digestion of samples of isolated red blood cell (RBC), specifically isolated RBC cytosol, followed by peptide mapping using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). The methods according to the invention which enable detection of increased levels of certain peptides in samples from subjects that have been subjected to autologous blood doping, compared to samples from non-doped control subjects.

Abstract: A camera assembly for generating high dynamic range images. The camera assembly includes a sensor that images a portion of a local area, and a controller. The sensor includes a plurality of augmented pixels, each augmented pixel having a plurality of gates and at least some of the gates have a respective local storage location. An exposure interval of each augmented pixel is divided into intervals associated with the gates, and each local storage location stores image data during a respective interval. The controller reads out, after the exposure interval of each augmented pixel, the image data stored in the respective local storage locations of each augmented pixel to form intermediate images that each have a dynamic range. The controller then generates an image for the portion of the local area using the intermediate images, the image having a higher dynamic range than each of the intermediate images.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines distances between the DCA and objects in a local area within a field of view of the DCA. The DCA projects a series of sinusoidal patterns each having different wavelengths into the local area DCA and captures images of the sinusoidal patterns via a sensor. Optical filters configured to pass different wavelengths of light are positioned within the sensor to form regions including adjacent pixels. Hence, pixels in a region capture light having a wavelength passed by an optical filter corresponding to the region. If the DCA projects sinusoidal patterns having different wavelengths at different times, the sensor is gated with an illumination source so regions of the sensor capturing light having a specific wavelength capture light while the illumination source emits the specific wavelength and not while the illumination source emits other wavelengths.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines distances between the DCA and objects in a local area within a field of view of the DCA. The DCA projects a series of sinusoidal patterns into the local area DCA and captures images of the sinusoidal patterns via a sensor. The DCA determines a distance between the DCA and locations in the local area based on a phase shift each of the sinusoidal patterns captured by each pixel of the sensor. Initially, a calibration offset is determined for each pixel of the sensor by emitting the sinusoidal patterns onto a target at a predetermined distance from the DCA and using phase shifts for a pixel and the predetermined distance to determine the pixel's calibration offset.

Abstract: A camera assembly for determining depth information for a local area includes a light source assembly, a camera assembly, and a controller. The light source assembly projects pulses of light into the local area. The camera assembly images a portion of the local area illuminated with the pulses. The camera assembly includes augmented pixels, each augmented pixel having a plurality of gates and at least some of the gates have a respective local storage location. An exposure interval of each augmented pixel is divided into intervals associated with the gates, and each local storage location stores image data during a respective interval. The controller reads out, after the exposure interval of each augmented pixel, the image data stored in the respective local storage locations of each augmented pixel to generate image data frames. The controller determines depth information for the local area based in part on the image data frames.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for launching high-altitude balloons. In one aspect, a balloon launching system is provided. The balloon has a balloon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope and a launching projection. The launching system includes a releasable restraint attached to the balloon between an apex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is arranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope. The launching system also includes a payload positioning assembly. The payload positioning assembly is configured to position the payload during launch of the balloon and includes a member configured to attach to the launching projection. When attached, the member is also configured to maintain the position of the payload relative to the balloon while the releasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a direct time of flight system for determining depth information for a local area. The DCA includes an illumination source, a camera, and a controller. The illumination source projects light (e.g., pulse of light) into the local area. The camera detects reflections of the projected light from objects in the local area. Using an internal gating selection procedure, the controller selects a gate window that is likely to be associated with reflection of a pulse of light from an object. The selected gate may be used for depth determination. The internal gating selection procedures may be achieved through external target location and selection or through internal self-selection.

Abstract: A tool system for tightening a retrightenable wedge system in a slot of a generator stator core is presented. The tool system includes a carriage assembly and a wedge tool assembly that is pivotally coupled to the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes motorized drives that axially moves the tool system along the slot and holds the tool system on the slot at an axial position. The wedge tool assembly includes a torqueing socket to tighten the retightenable wedge assembly in the slot. The torqueing socket is driven by a worm gear arrangement.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a structured light generator, an imaging device and a controller. The structured light generator illuminates a local area with a structured light pattern in accordance with emission instructions from the controller. The structured light generator comprises an illumination source, an acousto-optic device, and a projection assembly. The acousto-optic device generates a structured light pattern from an optical beam emitted from the illumination source. The projection assembly modifies a general intensity envelope of the structured light pattern in order for the structured light pattern to illuminate a larger section of the local area, and projects the modified structured light pattern into the local area. The imaging device captures of portions of the structured light pattern scattered or reflected from the local area. The controller determines depth information for the local area based at least in part on the captured images.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for proactively re-routing vehicles based on an analysis of input component data obtained from the navigation-enabled devices. The navigation system scores the input component data to obtain a measure of frustration (e.g., a feeling of being upset or annoyed) of the user of the navigation-enabled device. The navigation system may provide a detour suggestion for display on the navigation-enabled device to persuade the user of the device to direct their vehicle to depart from its current location or route in an effort to remove the vehicle from traffic, and thereby reduce the frustration level of the user. The detour suggestion may include an alternative route to the original destination, or an alternative destination.

Abstract: A camera assembly for generating differential images for a local area. The camera assembly includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor images at least a portion of a local area and includes a plurality of augmented pixels. Each augmented pixel has at least a first gate with a first local storage location and a second gate with a second local storage location. An exposure interval of the sensor is divided into intervals. The first local storage location stores first image data during a first of the intervals, and the second local storage location stores second image data during a second of the intervals. The controller determines, for each augmented pixel, a difference between the first image data and the second image data. The controller then reads out the difference for each augmented pixel as a differential image of the portion of the local area.

Abstract: A camera assembly for generating high dynamic range images. The camera assembly includes a sensor that images a portion of a local area, and a controller. The sensor includes a plurality of augmented pixels, each augmented pixel having a plurality of gates and at least some of the gates have a respective local storage location. An exposure interval of each augmented pixel is divided into intervals associated with the gates, and each local storage location stores image data during a respective interval. The controller reads out, after the exposure interval of each augmented pixel, the image data stored in the respective local storage locations of each augmented pixel to form intermediate images that each have a dynamic range. The controller then generates an image for the portion of the local area using the intermediate images, the image having a higher dynamic range than each of the intermediate images.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for treating blackwater are disclosed. A storage tank and a tumbling kiln charged with a solid media are provided. Blackwater is passed into the storage tank. The blackwater contains a liquid component and a solid component. The solid media and the tumbling kiln are heated. The blackwater is passed from the storage tank to the tumbling kiln. A portion of the liquid component is vaporized as vapor. A portion of the solid component is combusted to produce combustion gases. Fresh air is circulated into the tumbling kiln. The vapor and the combustion gases are removed from the tumbling kiln.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for proactively re-routing vehicles based on an analysis of input component data obtained from the navigation-enabled devices. The navigation system scores the input component data to obtain a measure of frustration (e.g., a feeling of being upset or annoyed) of the user of the navigation-enabled device. The navigation system may provide a detour suggestion for display on the navigation-enabled device to persuade the user of the device to direct their vehicle to depart from its current location or route in an effort to remove the vehicle from traffic, and thereby reduce the frustration level of the user. The detour suggestion may include an alternative route to the original destination, or an alternative destination.

Abstract: A camera assembly for generating high dynamic range images. The camera assembly includes a sensor that images a portion of a local area, and a controller. The sensor includes a plurality of augmented pixels, each augmented pixel having a plurality of gates and at least some of the gates have a respective local storage location. An exposure interval of each augmented pixel is divided into intervals associated with the gates, and each local storage location stores image data during a respective interval. The controller reads out, after the exposure interval of each augmented pixel, the image data stored in the respective local storage locations of each augmented pixel to form intermediate images that each have a dynamic range. The controller then generates an image for the portion of the local area using the intermediate images, the image having a higher dynamic range than each of the intermediate images.

Abstract: A camera assembly for generating differential images for a local area. The camera assembly includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor images at least a portion of a local area and includes a plurality of augmented pixels. Each augmented pixel has at least a first gate with a first local storage location and a second gate with a second local storage location. An exposure interval of the sensor is divided into intervals. The first local storage location stores first image data during a first of the intervals, and the second local storage location stores second image data during a second of the intervals. The controller determines, for each augmented pixel, a difference between the first image data and the second image data. The controller then reads out the difference for each augmented pixel as a differential image of the portion of the local area.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) for depth sensing of a local area. The DCA includes a polarized light generator, an imaging device, and a controller. The polarized light generator modulates one or more optical beams emitted from an illumination source to generate modulated light, and projects the modulated light into the local area as polarized light having a first polarization. The imaging device receives light from the local area, the received light including ambient light and a portion of the polarized light reflected from the local area. The imaging device reduces an intensity of the received light having polarization different from a second polarization to generate filtered light substantially composed of light of the second polarization, and detects the portion of the polarized light having the second polarization using the filtered light. The controller determines depth information for the local area based on the detected portion of the polarized light.