Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a motor, a cutter plate coupled to the motor for rotation therewith and a housing configured to encase the motor and the cutter plate. The housing may include an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The upper housing portion may define an inner surface at least partially forming a converging section of the upper housing portion. Additionally, waste disposal may include a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from the inner surface along the converging section of the upper housing portion.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission provides an increased transmission speed ratio with fewer parts. A kinematic arrangement can provide at least a squared kinematic arrangement of the variator for two or more modes, for example, and can provide an increased range transmission speed ratio with fewer moving parts. In many embodiments, the continuously variable transmission provides synchronous gear ratios and a continuously variable speed ratio.

Abstract: A collapsible utility cart (CUC) having a base, an axle and wheel assembly, a lower structure and an upper structure. The axle and wheel assembly is attached to the base, and the base extends forward from a lower end of the lower structure. The base can fold upward to a position interfacing with and parallel to the lower structure. The base is pivotally attached to the lower structure, and the lower structure is pivotally attached to the upper structure by right and left U-shaped connectors. Also attached to the upper structure are a handle assembly and a tray assembly. The CUC can be used to simultaneously transport a variety of multiple items, and when not in use, can be collapsed to a small size for transportation and storage of the CUC.

Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a motor defining a rotational axis, a cutter plate coupled to the motor for rotation therewith and a housing configured to encase the motor and the cutter plate. The housing may include an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The upper housing portion may define an inner surface at least partially forming a converging section of the upper housing portion. The upper housing portion may further define an inlet through the converging section. The inlet may be oriented relative to the housing such that water flowing through the inlet is directed into the housing at a non-radial flow angle. In addition, the inner surface may define a curved profile such that a grind chamber of the housing is substantially dome-shaped along the converging section.

Abstract: In one aspect, a cutter system for a waste disposal may generally include a cutter ring having an upper surface and a lower surface. In addition, the cutter ring may define a plurality of cutter slots. Each cutter slot may extend between a top end and a bottom end and may be defined by a first curved sidewall and a second curved sidewall. The first and second curved sidewalls may extend between the top and bottom ends such that each cutter slot defines a curved profile extending axially and circumferentially between the upper and lower surfaces of the cutter ring.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the position of a plunger member slidingly engaged with a main body of a syringe includes a housing structured to be selectively coupled to the main body in a readily removable manner and a monitoring system disposed at least partially on or in the housing. The monitoring system is structured to detect the absolute position of the plunger member with respect to the main body in a manner which does not require any mechanical linkage with the plunger member.

Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. The housing may define an inner sidewall surface extending around an inner perimeter of the housing and a discharge outlet. The motor may include a stator and a rotor at least partially surrounding the stator. The rotor may include a sidewall defining an outer surface. The motor may be disposed within the housing such that an annular gap is defined between the inner sidewall surface of the housing and the outer surface of the sidewall. When the rotor is rotated relative to the stator, water may be drawn through the annular gap towards the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A vessel with powered display portion, powered by heat differential from a liquid in the vessel, and a thermoelectric generator. Heat from the liquid is used to generate electricity using a thermoelectric generator in thermal contact with the liquid, and a heat sink or radiator. Cold liquid in the vessel can also be used to generate electricity, by the difference in temperature outside the vessel. The powered display may be made of flexible material and can include LEDs, OLEDS, LCD, luminous tubing, fiber optics, or other light emitting structures.

Abstract: A magnetic flux shield is described for employment within a hybrid permanent magnet/induction motor, allowing for both synchronous and asynchronous operation. A hybrid rotor comprises coaxially nested Halbach cylinders each with an attached induction rotor and a magnetic flux shield. This hybrid rotor rotates about an armature residing in the space between the induction rotors. The armature comprises independent field winding circuits that may be configured by a controller for either polyphase asynchronous or synchronous operation. At start up or where high torque is required, multiphase current urges rotation of the induction rotor. At a predetermined operational speed a magnetic flux shield releases and allows synchronous operation for greater energy efficiency.

Abstract: A vessel with powered display portion, powered by heat differential from a liquid in the vessel, and a thermoelectric generator. Heat from the liquid is used to generate electricity using a thermoelectric generator in thermal contact with the liquid, and a heat sink or radiator. Cold liquid in the vessel can also be used to generate electricity, by the difference in temperature outside the vessel. The powered display may be made of flexible material and can include LEDs, OLEDS, LCD, luminous tubing, fiber optics, or other light emitting structures.

Abstract: A motor includes two magnetically coupled, coaxially-nested Halbach cylinder rotors, one of which passes through a toroidal series of at least two stator coils while the other is attached to an axle or other means of transferring mechanical power. An embodiment is described comprising an additional third Halbach cylinder rotor in which a circumferential arrangement of permanent magnets is mounted rotatably and proximally outside the stator coils, coaxial with the stator coils. Adjacent stator coils are configured so as to produce opposing magnetic fields upon energizing of the motor. Alternating the current to the stator coils induces movement in the rotor. Commutation can occur brushlessly, or the motor can be configured to function without commutation by varying the frequency of the alternating current, and can be configured to operate by either DC or AC current. Alternatively, the rotor may be driven to generate an electric current in the stator.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and computer program product for using gathered system activity statistics to determine when to schedule a procedure. Selection is made of one of at least one lull window having a plurality of consecutive time slots each having an activity value lower than a threshold point comprising a low activity level among during time slots within a distribution of activity values of the time slots over recurring time periods. The procedure in the computer system is scheduled to be performed during the time slots in the lull window in a future time period.

Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal system for receiving waste discharged from a drain having a drain flange is disclosed. The system may generally include a waste disposal having a housing extending axially between a top and a bottom. In addition, the system may include a mounting bracket configured to couple the waste disposal to the drain. The mounting bracket may be configured to extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the top of the housing and may include a body and at least one tooth extending radially inwardly from the body. When the waste disposal is moved axially towards the drain, the at least one tooth is configured to move both radially outwardly as the at least one tooth contacts the drain flange and back radially inwardly when the at least one tooth is positioned axially above the drain flange so as to overlap the drain flange.

Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. The motor may include a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor may include a top wall disposed axially above the stator and a sidewall extending axially from the top wall. The sidewall may extend circumferentially around an outer perimeter of the stator such that the sidewall rotates relative to the stator when the rotor is rotated.

Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a motor defining a rotational axis, a cutter plate coupled to the motor for rotation therewith and a housing configured to encase the motor and the cutter plate. The housing may include an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The upper housing portion may define an inner surface at least partially forming a converging section of the upper housing portion. The upper housing portion may further define an inlet through the converging section. The inlet may be oriented relative to the housing such that water flowing through the inlet is directed into the housing at a non-radial flow angle. In addition, the inner surface may define a curved profile such that a grind chamber of the housing is substantially dome-shaped along the converging section.

Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. The housing may define an inner sidewall surface extending around an inner perimeter of the housing and a discharge outlet. The motor may include a stator and a rotor at least partially surrounding the stator. The rotor may include a sidewall defining an outer surface. The motor may be disposed within the housing such that an annular gap is defined between the inner sidewall surface of the housing and the outer surface of the sidewall. When the rotor is rotated relative to the stator, water may be drawn through the annular gap towards the discharge outlet.

Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. The housing may include an inlet defining an open area through the top of the housing. The motor may define a rotational axis. In addition, the waste disposal may include a cutter plate coupled to the motor. The cutter plate may include an upper surface, a side surface and an outer edge defined around an outer perimeter of the cutter plate. The upper surface may define a high point and may have a sloped portion angled downwardly from the high point towards the outer edge. The cutter plate may also define a cutter plate area directly below the open area defined by the inlet. The high point may be defined along the outer surface at a radial location between the cutter plate area and the outer edge.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing retains a rotatable shaft in a selected position by magnetic coupling between a circular magnet and one or more magnet arrays. Each magnetic coupling completes a magnetic circuit. The magnet arrays focus magnetic flux towards the circular magnet to facilitate magnetic coupling. Magnet arrays configured in Halbach series may be employed. Magnet arrays configured as electromagnets may also be employed. The shaft may be attached either to the circular magnet or the magnet arrays. Shaft rotation does not affect the magnetic circuit, but axial displacement of the shaft disrupts the magnetic circuit and increases magnetic reluctance. Increasing magnetic reluctance inhibits axial displacement. The shaft thereby supports a load while rotating freely, constrained to a selected position by forces of magnetic reluctance. A centering bearing may be employed to maintain gap distance between circular magnet and one or more magnet arrays.

Abstract: In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a motor, a cutter plate coupled to the motor for rotation therewith and a housing configured to encase the motor and the cutter plate. The housing may include an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The upper housing portion may define an inner surface at least partially forming a converging section of the upper housing portion. Additionally, waste disposal may include a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from the inner surface along the converging section of the upper housing portion.

Abstract: An appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chamber. A container is received within the chamber. A biasing member is configured for urging the container upwardly along a vertical direction. By urging the container upwardly, the biasing member can lift the container and facilitate access to the container.