Abstract: Provided are copolycarbonate compositions including a stabilizer package which comprise a phosphorous-containing acid, an ester of phosphorous-containing acid, and an organosulfonic stabilizer where the phosphorous-containing acid and the ester of a phosphorous-containing acid are present in a molar ratio of 1 to 2. The total stabilization package is for example, in the amount by weight of 4 to 32 ppm, 8 to 24 ppm, or 8 to 16 ppm and the organosulfonic stabilizer is, e.g., of 2 to 30 ppm, or 4 to 24 ppm, or 8 to 16 ppm.

Abstract: A depot for autonomous land-based refuse drones includes a chassis anchored to a ground surface, a container defining a storage volume for refuse, a collection implement, and refuse actuators. The collection implement is configured to selectively couple with at least one of (i) refuse within a drone storage volume or (ii) a portion of the one of the autonomous land-based refuse drones that defines the drone storage volume. The refuse actuators are operably coupled with the collection implement and configured to drive the collection implement to perform an unloading operation. The unloading operation includes selectively coupling, moving, and de-coupling from at least one of the refuse within the drone storage volume or the portion of the autonomous land-based refuse drone that defines the drone storage volume to unload the refuse from the drone storage volume into the storage volume of the container.

Abstract: A refuse collection system includes a refuse collection robot and a refuse depot. The refuse collection robot includes a chassis, a tractive element coupled to the chassis, a motor coupled to the chassis and the tractive element and configured to drive the tractive element to propel the refuse collection robot, a refuse container coupled to the chassis and defining a first storage volume, and a controller operatively coupled to the motor. The refuse depot includes a centralized storage defining a second storage volume and a refuse actuator configured to transfer refuse from the first storage volume to the second storage volume. The controller is configured to control the motor to propel the refuse collection to a pickup zone associated with a customer in response to receiving a request for refuse collection from a user device associated with the customer.

Abstract: A refuse collection includes one or more memory devices storing instructions thereon, that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to (a) receive a request for refuse collection from a customer, the request including a desired time of the refuse collection, (b) identify, based on the request, a location of a pickup zone associated with the customer, and (c) control, based on the request, the refuse collection robot to autonomously navigate to the location of the pickup zone at the desired time and perform the refuse collection.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an attachment for a firearm that communicates with remote device or person such as emergency services. One embodiment of the present invention is selectively interconnected to a picatinny rail, weaver rail, or other mounting means, and the embodiment includes a button that allows a user to initiate communication with emergency services without removing his or her hands from the firearm.

Abstract: A refuse collection drone includes a chassis, tractive elements rotatably coupled with and supporting the chassis, a propulsion system including a battery and an electric motor configured to consume electrical energy from the battery, and a bin removably coupled with the chassis and including a cover. The propulsion system is configured to drive one or more of the tractive elements to transport the refuse collection drone to a customer location. The bin defines a storage volume for refuse. The cover is configured to be driven by an actuator between an open position to allow access to the storage volume and a closed position to limit access to the storage volume. A lock is operable between a locked state to limit transition of the cover out of the closed position and an unlocked state to allow transition of the cover out of the closed position and into the open position.

Abstract: A refuse collection system includes one or more memory devices storing instructions thereon, that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to (a) receive a request for refuse collection from a customer, (b) identify, based on the request, a location of a pickup zone associated with the customer, (c) receive location data indicating a current location of the refuse collection robot, (d) generate a route for the refuse collection robot to travel from the current location of the refuse collection robot to the location of the pickup zone, and (e) control the refuse collection robot to follow the route and perform the refuse collection.

Abstract: A refuse collection system includes one or more memory devices storing instructions thereon, that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to (a) control a refuse collection robot containing a volume of refuse to navigate to a refuse depot, (b) control the refuse depot to remove the volume of refuse from the refuse collection robot, (c) receive a request from a customer for delivery of a package, (d) identify, based on the request, a location of a pickup zone associated with the customer, (e) control the refuse collection robot to receive the package, and (f) control the refuse collection robot to transport the package to the pickup zone.

Abstract: A polymer blend including 5 to 95 weight percent of a poly(ester-carbonate-carbonate) comprising 40 to 95 mole percent of ester units comprising low heat bisphenol groups and high heat bisphenol groups, wherein the ester units comprise 20 to 80 mole percent of the low heat bisphenol groups and 20 to 80 mole percent of the high heat bisphenol groups, based on the total moles of ester units in the poly(ester-carbonate-carbonate), and 5 to 60 mole percent of carbonate units comprising the low heat bisphenol groups and the high heat bisphenol groups, wherein the carbonate units comprise 20 to 80 mole percent of the low heat bisphenol groups and 20 to 80 mole percent of the high heat bisphenol groups, based on the total moles of carbonate units in the poly(ester-carbonate-carbonate); and 5 to 95 weight percent of a poly(etherimide), wherein the weight percent of each polymer is based on the total weight of the polymers in the blend, and a molded 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process and system for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from a feedstock comprising H2 and COx, wherein x=1-2. The process according to the invention comprises (a) subjecting the gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas originating from step (c) to DME synthesis by contacting it with a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to DME to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising DME; (b) subjecting a gaseous mixture comprising the gaseous mixture originating from step (a) to a separation-enhanced reverse water gas shift reaction; and (c) subjecting the gaseous mixture originating from step (b) to DME/synthesis gas separation to obtain DME and a gaseous mixture comprising synthesis gas, which is recycled to step (a). Herein, the feedstock is introduced in step (a) or step (b) and the molar ratio of H2 to COx in the gaseous mixture which is subjected to step (b) is at least (x+0.8). Also a system for performing the reaction according to the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: A barrel nut retainer for retaining a barrel nut in a bore of a component is disclosed having a body adapted to fit within a bore and extending between a first end and a second end, and wherein the body has an aperture between the first end and second end configured to receive a barrel nut, and a head portion at the first end of the body, the head portion adapted to sit over an open end of the bore.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the separation of a gas mixture containing CO2 and at least one inert gaseous species, comprising (a) feeding the gas mixture into an adsorption column via a first inlet located at a first side of the column, wherein the adsorption column contains a solid CO2 sorbent loaded with H2O molecules and thereby desorbing H2O molecules and adsorbing CO2 molecules, to obtain a sorbent loaded with CO2 and an inert product stream; and then (b) feeding a stripping gas comprising H2O into the adsorption column via a second inlet located at a second side which is opposite to the first inlet, thereby stripping the sorbent and desorbing CO2 molecules and adsorbing H2O molecules, to obtain a sorbent loaded with H2O and the CO2 product stream, wherein the adsorption column is re-used in step (a) after being stripped in step (b). The invention also concerns an apparatus for performing the process according to the invention.

Abstract: An aircraft wing structure (100) including a spar (101) and a systems module (200) that is releasably secured to brackets (300) on a first side of the spar (101) and the second, opposite side of the spar is configured to define a wall of a fuel tank of an aircraft wing.

Abstract: A copolycarbonate includes 0.005-0.1 mole percent of sulfur-containing carbonate units derived from a sulfur-containing bisphenol monomer, 2-95 mole percent of high heat carbonate units derived from a high heat aromatic dihydroxy monomer, and 5-98 mole percent of a low heat carbonate units derived from a low heat aromatic monomer, each based on the sum of the moles of the carbonate units; and optionally, thioether carbonyl endcaps of the formula —C(?O)-L-S—R, wherein L is a C1-12 aliphatic or aromatic linking group and R is a C1-20 alkyl, C6-18 aryl, or C7-24 arylalkylene; wherein the sulfur content of the high heat copolycarbonate in the absence of the thioether endcaps is from 5-20 parts per million by weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to a three degree of freedom motion generator for moving a payload above the surface, the motion generator comprising a rotatable platform arranged for rotation on a circular guide above the surface, at least three linear guides extending ray-wise above the surface from a centre, each linear guide having a linear guide carriage moveable thereon, a peripheral guide carriage pivotally mounted on each linear guide carriage about the periphery of the rotatable platform, and a plurality of actuators, whereby at least one actuator may be operated to exert a force between a peripheral guide carriage on the circular guide and the rotatable platform. Other aspects include a motion system, and vehicle driving simulators including such a motion generator.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition includes: 40 to 75 wt % of a poly(carbonate-siloxane-arylate); 5 to 45 wt % of a poly(carbonate-siloxane) present in an amount effective to provide 0.75 to 7 wt % of siloxane units; 10 to 40 wt % of a polycarbonate homopolymer; 5 to 15 wt % of an organophosphorus compound in an amount effective to provide 0.1 to 1 wt % of phosphorus; and optionally, 0.1 to 10 wt % of an additive composition. The thermoplastic composition has a melt volume flow rate of greater than 6 cm3/10 min. An article molded from the thermoplastic composition has a 2-minute integrated heat release rate of less than or equal to 65 kW-min/m2 and a peak heat release rate of less than 65 kW/m2 and a notched Izod impact resistance of greater than 30 kJ/m2 or greater than 700 J/m2.

Abstract: An air inflation system is provided for a vehicle including an axle that supports a wheel and an air supply structure. The air inflation system includes a rotary coupler having a tubular member for communicating with the air supply, a sleeve member connected to an end portion of the tubular member, a bearing receiving the sleeve member, a housing body having a passageway therethrough, wherein the tubular member is received in the passageway, and a housing cap attached to the housing body, wherein the housing cap is provided for communicating with at least one air connection element in communication with the wheel. A first seal for sealing an area between the tubular member and the housing body, and a second seal for sealing an area between the housing body and the housing cap are included. The rotary coupler is provided for supplying air from the air supply to the wheel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating range between a first device and a second device using at least one wireless communication channel defined between the first and second devices are disclosed. The method comprises: obtaining a set of range measurements, wherein the range measurements include measurements associated with multiple paths taken by signals between the first and second devices; discarding over-ranges caused by multiple signal paths using a variable threshold; and processing the remaining range measurements to obtain an estimated range.

Abstract: A process for increasing the productivity of equilibrium-restricted reactions and for increasing the productivity of a target compound includes the steps of (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising reactants; (b) subjecting the reaction mixture to the equilibrium reaction in a reactor or sequence of reactors, to obtain a reactor outlet mixture comprising the target compound and at least one of the reactants; (c) regenerating the loaded sorbent obtained in step (e), by flushing the loaded sorbent with the reactor outlet mixture originating from step (b), to obtain regenerated sorbent and an effluent comprising desorbed product; (d) separating the effluent originating from step (c) into a product stream and a reactant stream; and (e) a sorption step to obtain a loaded sorbent and a depleted mixture.

Abstract: An article includes at least two contiguous layers containing a composition that includes a branched polycarbonate, optionally a linear carbonate-containing polymer, and 0 to less than 5 weight percent filler. The composition is characterized by an average mole percent branching of 0.06 to 2.4 mole percent, which is calculated as 100 times moles of branched carbonate units in the branched polycarbonate divided by the sum of moles of linear carbonate units in the branched polycarbonate and the optional linear carbonate-containing polymer. The composition is further characterized by a melt flow rate of 1 to 20 grams per 10 minutes, determined according to ASTM D1238-13 at 300° C. and 1.2 kilogram load. Also described is a method of additive manufacturing utilizing the composition.