Abstract: A slab gate valve assembly having a housing (12) with an inlet (22), an outlet (24), and a gated fluid passage between the inlet (22) and the outlet (24), at least one valve seat (42, 44) disposed in a seat pocket (70) of the housing (12), a gate-carrying shaft (30), and a slab gate plate arrangement (32, 34) in slidable engagement with the at least one valve seat (42, 44) and to be operated via the gate-carrying shaft (30) between an open condition and a shut condition, wherein at least one valve seat (42, 44) is threadedly disposed in its seat pocket (70). The threaded engagement allows a torque preload to be applied within a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A secure data transmission system and method for targeting specific receiver locations. The secure data transmission system includes a time multiplexer, a time delay unit, a receiver tacker, and a plurality of transmitters. Additionally, the secure data transmission system may include a multiplexing sequence, a digital switch, a plurality of empty vectors, a range calculator, a delay estimator, and a plurality of stream time delays. The method for targeting specific receiver location includes receiving an input data stream, multiplexing the input data steam, receiving at least one instantaneous receiver locations, calculating a plurality of transmission ranges for each of the plurality of output data streams, calculating a plurality of time delays for each of the plurality of output data streams, delaying each of the plurality of output data streams according its calculated time delay, and transmitting each of the plurality of output data streams.

Abstract: Method for active battery management to optimize battery performance. The method includes providing signal injections for charging and discharging of a battery. The signal injections include various charging and discharging profiles, rates, and endpoints. Response signals corresponding with the signal injections are received, and a utility of those signals is measured. Based upon the utility of the response signals, data relating to charging and discharging of the battery is modified to optimize battery performance and to determine when to discharge the battery into a power grid in order to return power to the grid in exchange for an economic benefit such as a payment or rebate from a utility company.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a biologic pharmaceutical. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a batch of a biologic pharmaceutical based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of batches of the biological pharmaceutical; ii) determining a measure of the quality of a batch of the biological pharmaceutical manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the batch of the biological pharmaceutical, the causal model.

Abstract: Method for active battery management to optimize battery performance. The method includes providing signal injections for charging and discharging of a battery. The signal injections include various charging and discharging profiles, rates, and endpoints. Response signals corresponding with the signal injections are received, and a utility of those signals is measured. Based upon the utility of the response signals, data relating to charging and discharging of the battery is modified to optimize battery performance and to determine when to discharge the battery into a power grid in order to return power to the grid in exchange for an economic benefit such as a payment or rebate from a utility company.

Abstract: A slab gate valve assembly having a housing (12) with an inlet (22), an outlet (24), and a gated fluid passage between the inlet (22) and the outlet (24), at least one valve seat (42, 44) disposed in the housing (12), a gate-carrying shaft (30), and a slab gate plate arrangement (32, 34) in slidable engagement with the at least one valve seat (42, 44) and to be operated via the gate-carrying shaft (30) between an open condition and a shut condition, wherein one or more plates (32, 34) of the gate plate arrangement (32, 34) are mounted at one plate end (33d) to the gate-carrying shaft (30), in a manner permitting gate plate articulation relative to the gate-carrying shaft (30), and comprise a free end (33c) not mounted to the gate-carrying shaft (30). By permitting plate articulation in a controlled manner, the assembly avoids a need for a cage, resulting in a reduced number of components and reduced space requirement.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly to precisely position large objects and align them to be joined with other objects with precision. The assembly does not require power to operate and can therefore be used in a variety of remote and harsh locations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments. One of the methods includes repeatedly selecting, by a control system for the environment, control settings for the environment based on internal parameters of the control system, wherein: at least some of the control settings for the environment are selected based on a causal model, and the internal parameters include a first set of internal parameters that define a number of previously received performance metric values that are used to generate the causal model for a particular controllable element; obtaining, for each selected control setting, a performance metric value; determining that generating the causal model for the at particular controllable element would result in higher system performance; and adjusting, based on the determining, the first set of internal parameters.

Abstract: A light control film includes a microstructured layer including a plurality of microstructures defining a plurality of grooves therebetween. The light control film further includes a light absorbing material disposed in each of the plurality of grooves. The light absorbing material includes a plurality of first particles. Each first particle includes a polymeric bead including an outer surface. Each first particle further includes an outer layer disposed on the outer surface of the polymeric bead. The outer layer of the first particle includes a metal compound.

Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface; alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions comprise a core having a first concentration, C1, of a light absorbing material sandwiched between cladding layers having a second concentration, C2, of the light absorbing material, wherein C2<C1, and wherein the cores have an aspect ratio of at least 20.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments. One of the methods includes repeatedly selecting control settings for the environment based on (i) a causal model that identifies causal relationships between possible settings for controllable elements in the environment and environment responses that reflect a performance of the control system in controlling the environment and (ii) current values of a set of internal parameters; and during the repeatedly selecting: monitoring environment responses to the selected control settings; determining, based on the environment responses, an indication that one or more properties of the environment have changed; and in response, modifying the current values of one or more of the internal parameters.

Abstract: Method for active data storage management to optimize use of an electronic memory. The method includes providing signal injections for data storage. The signal injections can include various types of data and sizes of data files. Response signals corresponding with the signal injections are received, and a utility of those signals is measured. Based upon the utility of the response signals, parameters relating to storage of the data is modified to optimize use of long-term high latency passive data storage and short-term low latency active data storage.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments. One of the methods includes repeatedly selecting, by a control system for the environment, control settings for the environment based on internal parameters of the control system, wherein: at least some of the control settings for the environment are selected based on a causal model, and the internal parameters include a first set of internal parameters that define a number of previously received performance metric values that are used to generate the causal model for a particular controllable element; obtaining, for each selected control setting, a performance metric value; determining that generating the causal model for the particular controllable element would result in higher system performance; and adjusting, based on the determining, the first set of internal parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display system. The display system includes a backlight configured to emit substantially collimated polarized light from an emission surface thereof. The emitted polarized light is polarized along a polarization direction. The display system further includes a display panel configured to receive an illumination light and form an image. The display system further includes a grating system substantially coextensive in length and width with the display panel and the emission surface. The grating system includes a plurality of substantially parallel elongated features extending along an in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction. The grating system is configured to receive and transmit an incident polarized light as a first transmitted light having different first and second polarization states in response to different respective first and second signals applied to the grating system.

Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface; alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions comprise a core having a first concentration, C1, of a light absorbing material sandwiched between cladding layers having a second concentration, C2, of the light absorbing material, wherein C2<C1, and wherein the cores have an aspect ratio of at least 20.