Abstract: A snowmobile may have an electric powertrain. The electric powertrain may include one or more electric motors to power movement of one or more endless tracks. The electric powertrain may include a plurality of battery assemblies. At least one of the plurality of battery assemblies may be part of a structural frame of the snowmobile. At least one of the plurality of battery assemblies may be supported by a tunnel of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A biodegradable aqueous dispersion is disclosed, which is made up of from about 35 to about 75 weight percent water and from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of polyhydroxyalkanoates. Also disclosed is a biodegradable food service item, which includes a biodegradable substrate having at least one food contact surface. A coating is applied over the at least one food contact surface, which is formed from the biodegradable aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to conduit fittings with internal grounding capability. One expansion fitting allows for lengthwise expansion of an inner conduit utilizing an interior cylinder. The interior cylinder has a grounding portion that is conductive, and the grounding portion is electrically connected with a ground screw, Earth ground, or neutral ground. Another deflection fitting allows for angular deflection of connected conduits. The angular deflection fitting has an outer sleeve that is folded over an inner tube, and the outer sleeve is electrically connected with a ground screw, Earth ground, or neutral ground. Another expansion-deflection fitting shares the properties of the expansion fitting and the deflection fitting.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed which includes at least a first biodegradable copolymer. This first biodegradable copolymer is itself made up of: (1) from about 55 to about 99.5 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, (2) monomer residues of a secondary monomer selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 4-hydroxyvalerate, and 5-hydroxyvalerate, and (3) monomer residues of a tertiary monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkanoate monomers having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A biodegradable aqueous dispersion is disclosed, which is made up of from about 35 to about 75 weight percent water and from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of polyhydroxyalkanoates. Also disclosed is a biodegradable food service item, which includes a biodegradable substrate having at least one food contact surface. A coating is applied over the at least one food contact surface, which is formed from the biodegradable aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a patch for emitting electromagnetic energy. The patch comprises: a first layer made of a material that is capable of storing and emitting electromagnetic energy, a second layer disposed above the first layer and made of a material that is capable of storing and emitting electromagnetic energy, an energy harvesting layer disposed above the second layer, a transparent dome may be disposed above the solar panel, and an adhesive layer disposed below the first layer. A method for manufacturing the patch is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing a patch which emits electromagnetic energy. The method for manufacturing the patch comprises forming a first layer that is capable of storing electromagnetic energy; forming, above the first layer, a second layer that is capable of storing electromagnetic energy; and applying a series of electromagnetic waves at predetermined frequencies to the first and second layers. The electromagnetic waves at the predetermined frequencies are applied under a vacuum condition. The method also forms a third layer that is capable of harvesting electromagnetic energy above the second layer.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a patch for emitting electromagnetic energy, The patch comprises: a first layer made of a materizil that is capable of storing and emitting electromagnetic energy, a second layer disposed above the first layer and made of a material that is capable of storing and emitting electromagnetic energy, an energy harvesting layer disposed above the second layer, a transparent dome may be disposed above the solar panel, and an adhesive layer disposed below the first layer. A method for manufacturing the patch is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to hose couplings useful for mining applications, more particularly to a fluid coupling capable of generally fully tightened by hand, including a visual lock for visual indication and safety when in a hand-tightened position. The coupling generally includes a male portion, a female portion, a retaining member and a locking member. The male portion passes through the retaining member, and the retaining member threadingly engages the female member. The locking member prevents unthreading of the retaining member from the female member.

Abstract: A carrier elevates a boat from water where it is floating to above an open box and roof of a pickup truck where it can be transported. The carrier also elevates a light vehicle that travels on land from the ground to above a truck for transport. The carrier has a frame which is mounted on the truck, a carriage adapted to carry the boat or light vehicle and a bed having a track on which the carriage slides. The bed is pivotal from a carrying position to a loading/unloading position. In the carrying position, the bed is above the truck and the track is in a generally horizontal position. In the loading/unloading position, the track is tilted downwardly toward the rear of the truck such that the carriage may slide downwardly on the track toward the rear of the truck to allow a boat or light vehicle to be loaded onto the carriage or discharged from it should the boat or light vehicle already be on the carriage.

Abstract: A computer system in which blocks of source code instructions are translated into blocks of target code instructions and executed. During execution, the system builds up dynamic behavior information about frequency of execution of, and relationships between, the blocks. On the basis of this information, a block coalition mechanism selects blocks, and combines them to form an optimized superblock of target code instructions that is functionally equivalent to the combination of the selected blocks. In this way, the system can start with relatively small, naively translated blocks, and build up larger, more optimized blocks, on the basis of the dynamic behavior of the code.

Abstract: A method of translating source code instructions into target code instructions is described. Prior to translate time, an existing interpreter is analyzed to identify sequences that implement individual source order code instructions. Sub-sequences within each template that implement predetermined sub-functions are identified and eliminated. The sequences are compiled and stored as templates. For each instruction in an input block of source code instructions, the appropriate template for that source code instruction is selected and appended to an output block of target code instructions. The source code block is then analyzed to determine the net effect of the non-implemented sub-functions, and code is planted in the output block to achieve this net effect.

Abstract: A data processing system comprises a number of processing nodes interconnected by a data transmission network. The network is "hairpin" shaped, having a first leg, a second leg, and a loopback connection connecting the first leg to the second leg. Each node sends public write messages on to the first leg, and receives messages from the second leg. All the messages flow through the loopback connection, which thus serves as a central chronology point for the system, defining a unique chronological order for the messages. The network can be reconfigured, to split it into a number of sub-networks, each with first and second legs interconnected by a loopback connection. The system may include a backup node, for disaster recovery, situated at a very long distance from the processing nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding two BCD numbers, avoids the need for special adders with detection of carries between BCD digits. First, a sum without carries is generated, by forming the binary sum of the two numbers and an all-sixes pattern, without any carries between BCD digits. Next, a sum with carries is generated, by forming the binary sum of the two numbers and an all-sixes pattern, with carries between BCD digits. A mask pattern is then generated, comprising a six in each BCD digit where the sum without carries is unequal to the sum with carries. A result is then generated by forming the binary sum of the two numbers and the mask pattern, with carries between BCD digits.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus, having a visible register map for associating physical registers with logical registers. Instructions involving register-to-register transfers are executed by altering the association between the physical registers and the logical registers, without actually transferring data between the registers, so as to avoid logically redundant operations and to take such instructions out of the critical path of execution.

Abstract: In a microprogram unit, an index store is provided to translate index addresses, derived from input instructions, into start addresses for microprogram routines. Thus, if microprogram routines have to be re-ordered within the microprogram store, it is only necessary to modify the contents of the index store, and further modifications to the microprogram unit, or to the input instructions, are not necessary. Start addresses may be derived in an overlapped manner, so as to increase processing speed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleia plant named ‘Stellar Pink’, characterized by its upright and relatively compact plant habit; freely flowering habit; intense dark pink-colored flowers; and good garden performance.