Abstract: A catheter having a distal assembly with multiple spines with proximal ends affixed to the catheter and free distal ends. The spines have different lengths so distal ends of the spines trace different circumferences along an inner tissue surface of a tubular region to minimize risk of vein stenosis. The spine lengths can be configured so that the distal ends trace a helical pattern. The distal assembly may have a plunger which deflects the spines when moved longitudinally relative to the distal assembly. The catheter may include a second distal assembly distal of a first distal assembly wherein the first and second distal assemblies are separated by a fixed distanced or an adjustable distance.

Abstract: An approach to arrange sensors needed for automated driving, especially where semitrailer trucks are operating in an autonomous convoy with one automated or semi-automated truck following another. The sensors are fitted to a location adjacent to or within the exterior rearview mirrors, on each of the left- and right-hand side of the tractor. The sensors provide overlapping fields of view looking forward of the vehicle and to both the left and right hand sides at the same time.

Abstract: This description is related to an adapter that can be coupled to a stroller frame (e.g., to one side of the stroller frame) or other child product and that is changeable between a first configuration for supporting a first type of accessory (e.g., stroller accessory) and a second configuration for supporting a second type of accessory. The adapter can include a hub that is rotatable relative to the stroller frame or child product and can include a first connector and a second connector positioned at different locations relative to the hub. In examples, when the hub is rotated to a first position, the first connector can be in position to support the first type of accessory, and when the hub is rotated to the second position, the second connector can be in position to support the second type of accessory.

Abstract: The operation has a plurality of points, each associated with a slave device, the devices being part of a SCADA network that includes a computer. The apparatus comprises: modules each including a sensor having a thermal imager and a transceiver coupled to the sensor to receive data and adapted for cellular communication; and functionality adapted to receive information via cellular network and to communicate with the SCADA. The functionality is couplable to the SCADA as a device and configured such that data delivered from the sensor to the transceiver is delivered as if from multiple points. The system comprises: a repository; a computer adaptation configured to permit conditions to be set which trigger alerts including a DNP point and a time stamp; and a further adaptation which, responsive to an alert, fetches from the repository an image file associated with the point and the stamp, and displays the image.

Abstract: A thermal plant treatment (TPT) machine is configured to apply heated air to crops to induce commercially beneficial effects in the target plants. The TPT machine includes a thermal assembly with interchangeable vents for applying the heat treatment. The thermal assembly includes a heater duct, blowers mounted on the heater duct, a heater supported by the blowers, and a vent assembly mounted to the heater duct. The blower is configured to generate and provide an airstream to the heater duct. The heater is configured to increase a temperature of the heater duct at a location downstream of the blower to generate a heated airstream. The vent assembly is configured to receive the heated airstream from the heater duct and eject the heated airstream onto a target. The vent assembly includes interchangeable vents configured to alter the flow of the airstream exiting the vent assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concept include a manufactured pressure vessel including pressure cells having an impermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate, and a big mass layer disposed atop the pressure vessel to pressurize the air within the pressure vessel. The impermeable layer can include rubber from recycled vehicle tires. The big mass layer can have a total weight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more. The big mass layer can include a remediated upper surface. The pressure vessel can include an interface section through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel. Pressure lines can be coupled to the interface section. A turbine center can be coupled to the pressure lines to generate electricity in response to pressurized air received through the pressure lines, or to pump air through the pressure lines into the pressure vessel to pressurize the pressure vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system to electrically ignite small explosive cartridges in boulders, bedrock, concrete etc. to split or shape them. A propellant or explosive charge is electrically ignited directly by an inert electrical igniter inserted therein that melts at high temperature a bridge wire(s) or ribbon(s) with AC or DC electrical current. The bridge melts normally at over 2,000 degrees F. which will ignite the propellant or explosive. With sufficient voltage and amperage such as 110 volt AC wall current ionization takes place along the pathway of the melting bridge, which melts at approximately 2,000 degrees F., and a large electrical arc forms at approximately 5,000 degrees F. that more reliably ignites the propellant or explosive with increased blast power. A reusable blasting rod includes an external groove for a blasting wire, a counterweight for better tamping, which has a cradle for heavy objects to utilize the Newton Kinetic effect.

Abstract: Methods and systems of synchronizing events using a plurality of sequencing controllers are provided. For each sequencing controller, a serial communication bus (SCB) is monitored for a first reference level. Upon identifying that the SCB is at the first reference level for a predetermined period, a bit sequence indicative of an event position is broadcast to be arbitrated on the SCB. The SCB is monitored for the arbitrated bit sequence. Upon determining that the arbitrated bit sequence corresponds to the bit sequence of the event position, an event corresponding to the event position is enabled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concept include a manufactured pressure vessel including pressure cells having an impermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate, and a big mass layer disposed atop the pressure vessel to pressurize the air within the pressure vessel. The impermeable layer can include rubber from recycled vehicle tires. The big mass layer can have a total weight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more. The big mass layer can include a remediated upper surface. The pressure vessel can include an interface section through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel. Pressure lines can be coupled to the interface section. A turbine center can be coupled to the pressure lines to generate electricity in response to pressurized air received through the pressure lines, or to pump air through the pressure lines into the pressure vessel to pressurize the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems of synchronizing events using a plurality of sequencing controllers are provided. For each sequencing controller, a serial communication bus (SCB) is monitored for a first reference level. Upon identifying that the SCB is at the first reference level for a predetermined period, a bit sequence indicative of an event position is broadcast to be arbitrated on the SCB. The SCB is monitored for the arbitrated bit sequence. Upon determining that the arbitrated bit sequence corresponds to the bit sequence of the event position, an event corresponding to the event position is enabled.

Abstract: Optical fiber-based wireless systems and related components and methods support radio frequency (RF) communications with clients over optical fiber, including Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communications. The systems may be provided as part of an indoor distributed antenna system (IDAS) to provide wireless communication services to clients inside a building or other facility. The communications can be distributed between a head end unit (HEU) that receives carrier signals from one or more service or carrier providers and converts the signals to RoF signals for distribution over optical fibers to end points, which may be remote antenna units (RAUs). A microprocessor-based control system or systems may also be employed. The control systems may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers in one or more of the components of the system that execute software instructions to control the various components and provide various features for the optical fiber-based distributed antenna systems.

Abstract: An image sensor with an array of pixels is provided. In order to determine failure of transient signal generation circuitry within the image sensor, monitoring circuitry may be used to capture and adjust transient signals as the signals are being transmitted. The transient signals may be voltage booster signals that are generated by booster circuitry to adjust row control signal levels to be below the ground reference voltage or above the supply reference voltage before providing them to the array of image sensor pixels. The captured and adjusted transient signals may be multiplexed and transmitted through a common buffer circuit. The method of shifting/adjusting the captured voltages may also apply to static signals. The multiplexed adjusted signals may be converted from digital signals to analog signals with digital-to-analog conversion circuitry. The digitized signals may be transmitted to host circuitry for processing which may include pass/fail testing.

Abstract: An imaging system with real-time digital testing capabilities verifies the functionality of image processing circuitry used to process pixel data signals read out from a pixel array during imaging operations. Image processing circuitry may process a data frame read from an imaging array that includes multiple regions of imaging and non-imaging data. Digital test patterns may be generated to test the functionality of specific image processing blocks. Test patterns may correspond to or represent imaging data or non-imaging data from regions of the output readout frame. A checksum generator generates a test pattern checksum for output of a subset of the image processing blocks that were provided with a given test pattern. The test pattern checksum may be compared to a predetermined checksum of the output of properly functioning image processing blocks provided with test patterns equivalent to the given test pattern.

Abstract: A power control system includes an event data bus configured to carry event information. Several power supply managers are coupled to the same event bus. Each power supply manager has one or more point of load (POL) regulators assigned to it. Each power supply manager communicates event information with other POL power supply managers over the event data bus.

Abstract: An imaging system with real-time digital testing capabilities verifies the functionality of image processing circuitry used to process pixel data signals read out from a pixel array during imaging operations. Image processing circuitry may process a data frame read from an imaging array that includes multiple regions of imaging and non-imaging data. Digital test patterns may be generated to test the functionality of specific image processing blocks. Test patterns may correspond to or represent imaging data or non-imaging data from regions of the output readout frame. A checksum generator generates a test pattern checksum for output of a subset of the image processing blocks that were provided with a given test pattern. The test pattern checksum may be compared to a predetermined checksum of the output of properly functioning image processing blocks provided with test patterns equivalent to the given test pattern.

Abstract: An image sensor with an array of pixels is provided. In order to determine failure of transient signal generation circuitry within the image sensor, monitoring circuitry may be used to capture and adjust transient signals as the signals are being transmitted. The transient signals may be voltage booster signals that are generated by booster circuitry to adjust row control signal levels to be below the ground reference voltage or above the supply reference voltage before providing them to the array of image sensor pixels. The captured and adjusted transient signals may be multiplexed and transmitted through a common buffer circuit. The method of shifting/adjusting the captured voltages may also apply to static signals. The multiplexed adjusted signals may be converted from digital signals to analog signals with digital-to-analog conversion circuitry. The digitized signals may be transmitted to host circuitry for processing which may include pass/fail testing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concept include a manufactured pressure vessel including pressure cells having an impermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate, and a big mass layer disposed atop the pressure vessel to pressurize the air within the pressure vessel. The impermeable layer can include rubber from recycled vehicle tires. The big mass layer can have a total weight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more. The big mass layer can include a remediated upper surface. The pressure vessel can include an interface section through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel. Pressure lines can be coupled to the interface section. A turbine center can be coupled to the pressure lines to generate electricity in response to pressurized air received through the pressure lines, or to pump air through the pressure lines into the pressure vessel to pressurize the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A apparatus, method and system to electrically ignite small explosive cartridges in boulders, bedrock, concrete and other materials so as to split the material into smaller pieces or to shape it. To ignite the propellant or other explosive charge electrically by melting at high temperature a bridge wire(s) or bridge ribbon(s) with electrical current which can be AC or DC. The bridge melts normally at over 2,000 degrees F. which will ignite the propellant or explosive. With sufficient voltage and amperage such as standard 110 volt AC wall current ionization takes place along the pathway of the melted bridge and a large electrical arc forms that ignites the propellant or explosive with even higher certainty as electrical arc temperatures are often over 5,000 degrees F. When the propellant or explosive is ignited at higher temperature there are known beneficial effects for increased blast power.

Abstract: A power control system includes an event data bus configured to carry event information. Several power supply managers are coupled to the same event bus. Each power supply manager has one or more point of load (POL) regulators assigned to it. Each power supply manager communicates event information with other POL power supply managers over the event data bus.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of an element of interest in a solid of interest based on the ratio of the measured relative abundances of two isotopes in the solid of interest, one isotope of the element of interest and the second isotope from an element represented in the chemical formula of the solid of interest, and comparing this ratio to the ratio of the measured relative abundances of the same two isotopes for a reference solid for which the concentration of the element of interest is known. A method of calculating the concentration of the element of interest in the solid of interest. A method of executing a computer software program with instructions for calculating the concentration of the element of interest in the solid of interest.