Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine or fuel cell includes a compressor having a liquid-cooled backplate through which a liquid coolant is circulated. The backplate reduces compressor outlet temperature, thereby reducing the cooling load on the intercooler for the engine, and enabling a reduction in charge air temperature entering the engine air inlet manifold. The compressor can include a serial two-stage compressor, in which case the backplate serves as a divider between the two impellers. In another variation, a turboexpander is combined on the same shaft with a single-stage compressor having the liquid-cooled backplate. Pressurized air from the compressor drives the turbine wheel of the turboexpander, expanding and reducing the temperature of the air before being fed to the engine.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine or fuel cell includes a compressor having a liquid-cooled backplate through which a liquid coolant is circulated. The backplate reduces compressor outlet temperature, thereby reducing the cooling load on the intercooler for the engine, and enabling a reduction in charge air temperature entering the engine air inlet manifold. The compressor can include a serial two-stage compressor, in which case the backplate serves as a divider between the two impellers. In another variation, a turboexpander is combined on the same shaft with a single-stage compressor having the liquid-cooled backplate. Pressurized air from the compressor drives the turbine wheel of the turboexpander, expanding and reducing the temperature of the air before being fed to the engine.

Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for automated software container rehydration and deployment include a server that updates a container image for a software application by modifying layers of the container image and deploying the updated container image as a first container in a passive production environment. For a plurality of traffic volumes, the server: a) increases application traffic directed to the first container to a first traffic volume, b) monitors service level indicators associated with performance of the first container, c) increases the application traffic directed to the first container to a higher traffic volume upon determining that the service level indicators are within a performance threshold, and d) repeats steps b) and c) until the application traffic is increased to a highest traffic volume and the service level indicators are within the performance threshold. The server deploys the updated container image as a second container in an active production environment.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the status of an apparatus comprises processing in a processor a cyclic signal emitted and/or received by said apparatus, by sampling at least part of a plurality of cycles of the cyclic signal at n points to provide n measured values; comparing the n measured values to a predetermined distribution of values at said n points representing a first state of the apparatus; and if the n measured values fall outside predetermined criteria relating to the predetermined distribution, providing an indication that the apparatus is not in the first state.

Abstract: Computerized systems and methods are provided for identifying connection between at least one application in a set of client applications within a multi-tenant network and a service application hosted on a server. Audit logs are generated that track activities for respective ones of the client applications over a predetermined duration. Information from a first audit message of each client application is extracted that includes an audit identification and a connecting IP address associated with the corresponding client application. Information from a second audit message of each client application is extracted that includes an audit identification and a process identification of the corresponding client application. The extracted information is used to identify one or more client applications as being connected to and consuming the service application.

Abstract: A power plug for coupling an electrical appliance to an electrical power supply, comprising: a current sensor, configured to measure current supplied through the plug to the electrical appliance; a voltage sensor, configured to measure voltage supplied through the plug to the electrical appliance; a processor configured to determine power consumption data from data relating to the current and voltage measurements made by the current and voltage sensors and monitor the performance of the electrical appliance using the power consumption data; and a transmitter, configured to transmit information relating to the performance of the electrical appliance.

Abstract: An outdoor tool and a lubrication system for an outdoor tool are provided. The lubrication system includes a reservoir, a pump, and an output configured to deliver lubricant to a tool unit of the outdoor tool. The pump is adjustable between a plurality of flow rate settings. The lubrication system may include one or more anti-leak mechanisms. The lubrication system may include a dedicated pump motor distinct from a motor assembly of the tool. A display system to display operating parameters of the lubrication system may be included.

Abstract: A power plug for coupling an electrical appliance to an electrical power supply, comprising: a current sensor, configured to measure current supplied through the plug to the electrical appliance; a voltage sensor, configured to measure voltage supplied through the plug to the electrical appliance; a processor configured to determine power consumption data from data relating to the current and voltage measurements made by the current and voltage sensors and monitor the performance of the electrical appliance using the power consumption data; and a transmitter, configured to transmit information relating to the performance of the electrical appliance.

Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.

Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing food packaging comprising a receptacle 100 of a final shape and a coating 600. The method comprises fabricating the receptacle 100 from raw materials, the raw materials comprising a fibrous material and a biopolymer; applying at least one layer of the coating 600 to the receptacle 100, the coating 600 comprising a biopolymer coating; and drying the at least one layer of the coating 600.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance including an agitator rotatable about an axis; a housing having a front side, a rear side, and first and second sides which extend between the front and rear sides, said housing defining a chamber which at least partially surrounds the agitator, the chamber having a dirty air inlet and a dirty air outlet; and a spray nozzle device for spraying cleaning fluid onto the agitator in a direction towards the rear side of the housing, said spray nozzle device being fluidly connectable to a cleaning fluid supply tank of a cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, including an agitator rotatable about an axis; a housing having a front side, a rear side and first and second sides which extend between the front side and rear side, said housing at least partially defining a chamber. The chamber at least partially surrounds the agitator, the chamber having a dirty air inlet and a dirty air outlet. The chamber includes an opening for permitting access to and removal of the agitator from the chamber and a cover cooperatively associated with the housing for permitting access to the chamber through the opening. The cover is movable to an agitator access position to permit the agitator to be removed from the chamber through the opening in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the agitator and in a direction which is substantially parallel to a plane of the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance including an agitator rotatable about an axis; a housing having a front side, a rear side, and first and second sides which extend between the front side and rear side, said housing further including a floor facing surface. The housing defines a chamber which at least partially surrounds the agitator, the chamber having a dirty air inlet and a dirty air outlet. A wiper device which extends laterally between the first and second sides of the housing and is positioned on or adjacent the floor facing surface. A floor engaging device extends laterally between the first and second sides of the housing and is positioned on or adjacent the floor facing surface. The floor engaging device includes an absorbent portion. The wiper device and the floor engaging device are positioned rearwardly of the dirty air inlet.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance including a housing having a front side, a rear side, and first and second sides which extend between the front side and the rear side, the housing further including a floor facing surface which extends between the front side, rear side and first and second sides which, in use, faces a surface to be cleaned. A floor engaging device is connected to the floor facing surface of the housing and which extends laterally between the first and second sides of the housing, said floor engaging device including a first portion for absorbing liquid from a surface to be cleaned; and a second portion positioned closer to either a front side or a rear side of the housing, said second portion being relatively stiff compared to the first portion.

Abstract: A control and monitoring device integrated in an intermediary coupling unit, said intermediary coupling unit being configured to couple an electrical appliance to a power supply, said control and monitoring device comprising a control module configured to change a status of the electrical appliance; a sensor configured to monitor a condition of said electrical appliance and/or an environment thereof; and a processor configured to instruct the control module to change a status of the electrical appliance based on an output of the sensor. Complementary devices and methods of operating such devices are also presented herein.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the status of an apparatus comprises processing in a processor a cyclic signal emitted and/or received by said apparatus, by sampling at least part of a plurality of cycles of the cyclic signal at n points to provide n measured values; comparing the n measured values to a predetermined distribution of values at said n points representing a first state of the apparatus; and if the n measured values fall outside predetermined criteria relating to the predetermined distribution, providing an indication that the apparatus is not in the first state.