Abstract: Vehicles and methods for controlling operation of a vehicle and/or reducing aerodynamic drag of a vehicle are provided. A method for controlling operation of an unoccupied vehicle includes determining that the vehicle is unoccupied. The method further includes identifying an energy savings resulting from a reduction of aerodynamic drag of the vehicle due to a controlled vibration of a component of the vehicle. Also, the method includes applying the controlled vibration to the component of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless field device for use in an industrial process control or monitoring system includes a controller configured to control operation of the wireless field device. Wireless communication circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote location. An internal power source powers the wireless field device. An image capture device is coupled to the controller and configured to capture an image of an environment of the wireless field device. The controller is adapted to receive image information from the image capture device and transmit compressed image information to the remote location.

Abstract: A bulk high performance permanent magnet comprising a neodymium-iron-boron core having an outer surface, and a coercivity-enhancing element residing on at least a portion of said outer surface, with an interior portion of said neodymium-iron-boron core not having said coercivity-enhancing element therein. Also described herein is a method for producing the high-coercivity bulk permanent magnet, the method comprising: (i) depositing a coercivity-enhancing element on at least a portion of an outer surface of a neodymium-iron-boron core substrate to form a coated permanent magnet; and (ii) subjecting the coated permanent magnet to a pulse thermal process that heats said outer surface to a substantially higher temperature than an interior portion of said neodymium-iron-boron core substrate, wherein said substantially higher temperature is at least 200° C.

Abstract: A device for protecting and retaining a decorative light strand. A gutter has a first channel and a second channel. The second channel is formed at a top edge of a front wall of the first channel. The second channel is inverted relative to the first channel. An outer vertical sidewall of the second channel has a plurality of apertures disposed therein. The second channel is configured to house the strand of a decorative light strand and each aperture is configured to frictionally secure a light bulb of the decorative light strand therein.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. A method of determining a driving mode includes receiving occupant preference information, the occupant preference information including a set of predefined vehicle modes and, for each of the predefined vehicle modes, a set of occupant state criteria and a set of vehicle parameters. The method further includes receiving a set of occupant state parameters indicative of the state of one or more occupants of the vehicle, determining whether the occupant state parameters satisfy first occupant state criteria associated with a first vehicle mode of the set of predefined vehicle modes, and engaging the vehicle tuning parameters associated with the first vehicle mode if the occupant state parameters satisfy the first occupant state criteria.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for controlling operation of a vehicle and/or reducing aerodynamic drag of a vehicle are provided. A method for controlling operation of an unoccupied vehicle includes determining that the vehicle is unoccupied. The method further includes identifying an energy savings resulting from a reduction of aerodynamic drag of the vehicle due to a controlled vibration of a component of the vehicle. Also, the method includes applying the controlled vibration to the component of the vehicle.

Abstract: A toilet seat adapter for use by infants and children who are unable to use conventional bathroom facilities. The invention includes a tubular inflatable plastic body, with a tubular seat portion having a front segment, side segments and rear segment that join to define a central opening. Connecting with a bottom side of seat portion side segments and seat portion rear segment is a downward extending tubular positioning ring. Sidewalls of the positioning ring are formed with respective sets of vertical, spaced apart stiffening ribs. Connecting respectively to the seat portion side segments is a pair of handles. Attached to the seat portion rear segment is an upstanding, tubular backrest while a flap covers the inflation device.

Abstract: A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of rapidly solidified alloys that comprise aluminum, a rare earth element, one or more additional alloying elements, such as aluminum, and an optional additive component. The alloy embodiments exhibit a unique microstructure as compared to microstructures obtained from other alloys that are not rapidly cooled. The disclosed aluminum-rare earth element alloys also exhibit improved mechanical properties without the need for post-processing heat treatments and further do not exhibit substantial coarsening.

Abstract: A device for protecting and retaining a decorative light strand. A gutter has a first channel and a second channel. The second channel is formed at a top edge of a front wall of the first channel. The second channel is inverted relative to the first channel. An outer vertical sidewall of the second channel has a plurality of apertures disposed therein. The second channel is configured to house the strand of a decorative light strand and each aperture is configured to frictionally secure a light bulb of the decorative light strand therein.

Abstract: A cast alloy includes aluminum and from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of at least one material selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The cast alloy has a strengthening Al11X3 intermetallic phase in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, wherein X is at least one of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The Al11X3 intermetallic phase has a microstructure that includes at least one of lath features and rod morphological features. The morphological features have an average thickness of no more than 700 um and an average spacing of no more than 10 um, the microstructure further comprising an eutectic microconstituent that comprises more than about 10 volume percent of the microstructure.

Abstract: An example apparatus can comprise an emitter to emit radio frequency radiation, an absorber that changes temperature based on emissions from the emitter, and one or more sensors to measure a temperature difference between a sample and a reference coupled to the absorber.

Abstract: A bulk high performance permanent magnet comprising a neodymium-iron-boron core having an outer surface, and a coercivity-enhancing element residing on at least a portion of said outer surface, with an interior portion of said neodymium-iron-boron core not having said coercivity-enhancing element therein. Also described herein is a method for producing the high-coercivity bulk permanent magnet, the method comprising: (i) depositing a coercivity-enhancing element on at least a portion of an outer surface of a neodymium-iron-boron core substrate to form a coated permanent magnet; and (ii) subjecting the coated permanent magnet to a pulse thermal process that heats said outer surface to a substantially higher temperature than an interior portion of said neodymium-iron-boron core substrate, wherein said substantially higher temperature is at least 200° C.

Abstract: A cast alloy includes aluminum and from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of at least one material selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The cast alloy has a strengthening Al11X3 intermetallic phase in an amount in the range of from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, wherein X is at least one of cerium, lanthanum, and mischmetal. The Al11X3 intermetallic phase has a microstructure that includes at least one of lath features and rod morphological features. The morphological features have an average thickness of no more than 700 um and an average spacing of no more than 10 um, the microstructure further comprising an eutectic microconstituent that comprises more than about 10 volume percent of the microstructure.

Abstract: A wireless field device assembly comprises a process sensor, a housing, a power module, and a processor. The process sensor is configured to monitor a process variable and produce a sensor signal. The housing encloses an interior space of the wireless field device. The power module comprises an energy storage device and a connection to a local power source, and is configured to be housed in the wireless field device. The processor is located within the interior space, and is powered by the power module. The processor produces a fault signal value used to differentiate between energy storage device faults, local power source faults, and no-fault states.

Abstract: A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body.