Abstract: Provided is a wall grommet, which can be installed through the surfaces of walls to route wiring in the walls' interior spaces. In particular, the wall grommet is configured for running power cords inside walls and presenting the electrical connectors of a power cord in a manner such that power cords are hidden from view. The grommet may comprise a housing, which defines an interior space that is adapted to hold either the female connector or male connector of a power cord. The housing may be configured to enclose and secure the electrical connector of the power cord in the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermally conductive article including a pad having first and second opposed major surfaces and a thickness therebetween. The thickness is formed of entangled thermally conductive fibers and at least a portion of the entangled thermally conductive fibers have at least one terminal end at the first opposed major surface, the opposed second major surface, or both. The pad is at least partially impregnated with a polymer. Another thermally conductive article is provided including a) a pad having first and second opposed major surfaces and a thickness therebetween; b) a first thermally conductive skin layer; and c) a second thermally conductive skin layer. The thickness of the pad is formed of aligned thermally conductive fibers, and at least a portion of the thermally conductive fibers have a terminal end at the first opposed major surface and the opposed second major surface.

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: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for optimizing a query plan reuse in a database server system accessible by a plurality of client connections. An embodiment comprises determining if a query plan in a global cache storage is reserved by a client connection of a plurality of client connections, generating a cloned query plan from the query plan based on the determining, and associating the cloned query plan with a second client connection of the plurality of client connections.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for optimizing a query plan reuse in a database server system accessible by a plurality of client connections. An embodiment comprises determining if a query plan in a global cache storage is reserved by a client connection of a plurality of client connections, generating a cloned query plan from the query plan based on the determining, and associating the cloned query plan with a second client connection of the plurality of client connections.

Abstract: System, methods and articles of manufacture for optimizing a query plan reuse in a database server system accessible by a plurality of client connections. An embodiment comprises providing at least one global cache storage and a private cache storage to a plurality of client connections, and coordinating utilization of the at least one global cache storage and the private cache storage to share light weight stored procedures and query plans for prepared SQL statements across the plurality of client connections via the at least one global cache storage while avoiding a spinlock access for executing the prepared SQL statements.

Abstract: System, methods and articles of manufacture for joining data in the database tables comprising, performing an index scan on a global index of a first database table, determining rows in the first database table that may be joined with a second database table based on a needed partitioning, wherein the needed partitioning is determined using an index scan, determining a number of partitions in the second database table, and joining each of the corresponding partitions in the first database table with a corresponding partitions in the second database table.

Abstract: System, methods and articles of manufacture for joining data in the database tables comprising, performing an index scan on a global index of a first database table, determining rows in the first database table that may be joined with a second database table based on a needed partitioning, wherein the needed partitioning is determined using an index scan, determining a number of partitions in the second database table, and joining each of the corresponding partitions in the first database table with a corresponding partitions in the second database table.

Abstract: System, methods and articles of manufacture for optimizing a query plan reuse in a database server system accessible by a plurality of client connections. An embodiment comprises providing at least one global cache storage and a private cache storage to a plurality of client connections, and coordinating utilization of the at least one global cache storage and the private cache storage to share light weight stored procedures and query plans for prepared SQL statements across the plurality of client connections via the at least one global cache storage while avoiding a spinlock access for executing the prepared SQL statements.

Abstract: A charging and discharging strategy for a rechargeable battery pack is disclosed. The strategy involves monitoring and learning the battery pack's condition (a cycle life parameter) in terms of its progression through its life cycle. The life cycle parameter may be determined as a function of both time (i.e., the battery pack's age) as well as the number of discharge/recharge cycles. The strategy intentionally under-utilizes the battery during the initial stages of its life, based on the cycle life parameter, by charging it to a first level less then the maximum state of charge. This approach reduces charge voltages, reducing stress on the battery's active materials, thereby increasing its life.

Abstract: A charging and discharging strategy for a rechargeable battery pack is disclosed. The strategy involves monitoring and learning the battery pack's condition (a cycle life parameter) in terms of its progression through its life cycle. The life cycle parameter may be determined as a function of both time (i.e., the battery pack's age) as well as the number of discharge/recharge cycles. The strategy intentionally under-utilizes the battery during the initial stages of its life, based on the cycle life parameter, by charging it to a first level less then the maximum state of charge. This approach reduces charge voltages, reducing stress on the battery's active materials, thereby increasing its life.

Abstract: A tool for severing or crimping a workpiece includes a rigid mainframe having an elongate grooved channel running through most of its length. A wedge-shaped upright rigid head forms the front portion of the mainframe. The rear portion of the mainframe has an integral shaft guideway and a mount for mounting a hydraulic cylinder and components. The head and hydraulic mount form a U-shaped jaws area. The upright head has an elongate vertical slot. A cutting or crimping blade can reciprocate along the grooved channel of the mainframe and enter the head so that the blade can fully sever a workpiece placed in the gap between the blade and head. The blade can be a pointed V-shaped cutting blade or a flat crimping blade having a blunt leading edge. The base of the blade has a flange for cooperating with the grooved channel for guiding the blade. The blade is manipulated by a hydraulic piston which is positioned in a hydraulic cylinder mounted at the rear portion of the mainframe.

Abstract: A breakaway coupler is fabricated as a cylinder with a flow through bore for interconnecting the end of a fluid line to a tank. A frangible groove is radially cut into the exterior wall of the cylinder midway between the ends. A plastic seal tube having a diameter less than the bore of the cylinder but longer than the cylinder is slideably positioned in the bore. There is a ring at one end of the seal tube and larger than the bore for maintaining the tube stationary within the cylinder. The other end of the seal tube extends from the other end of the cylinder and has flow through ports for allowing fluid flow through the coupler. This port end is also capped off. The frangible groove can fracture, causing the coupler to break into two sections and separate from one another. During the separation process, the section with the ring projection will pull away with the seal tube attached to it.

Abstract: Environmentally heated and cooled pre-fabricated insulated concrete building is provided with a continuous layer of foamed insulation within all exterior walls. The building is constructed preferably of reinforced concrete having an outer and an inner wall connected together along the lower edge. Each section or unit of the wall is provided with an interlocking shape along the lateral edges for interlocking with adjacent panels or units. The walls are assembled at the job site and filled with a foam insulation. The outer concrete wall is provided with ducts therein and damper and blower controls which provide solar heating in cold weather and air circulation cooling in hot weather.