Abstract: A modular sensor system comprising a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules comprising one or more sensors, one or more energy harvesters, one or more energy storage devices, one or more wireless radios, and one or more electronics devices, wherein the one or more energy harvesters comprise a photovoltaic cell; and one or more blind-mate connectors contained within each of the plurality of modules, wherein the one or more blind-mate connectors comprise an electrical connector to transmit power and/or data and configured to connect two modules of the plurality of modules together.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for assembling an object having a stacked construction of a plurality of components.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system for monitoring and mitigating damage to electrical utility structures and the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the system includes fire boxes, arc sensors, angle switches, and disconnect switches configured to generate alert signals when a hazard is detected. In some embodiments, the system includes cameras configured to detect a hazard such as a fire or moving object. In some embodiments, the system includes light transmitters and light receivers positioned at a predetermined location away from power lines to detect objects that interrupt a line of site. In some embodiments, the system can electrically isolate a power line before a detected hazard impacts a power line.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system for monitoring and mitigating damage to electrical utility structures and the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the system includes fire boxes, arc sensors, angle switches, and disconnect switches configured to generate alert signals when a hazard is detected. In some embodiments, the system includes cameras configured to detect a hazard such as a fire or moving object. In some embodiments, the system includes light transmitters and light receivers positioned at a predetermined location away from power lines to detect objects that interrupt a line of site. In some embodiments, the system can electrically isolate a power line before a detected hazard impacts a power line.

Abstract: A photovoltaic powered flexible electronic device comprising a flexible photovoltaic module, electrodes (such as anode and cathode) incorporated into the flexible photovoltaic module, wherein the electrodes are at least partially exposed, and a flexible circuit board, wherein the flexible circuit board is attached to one of the following: (a) the flexible photovoltaic module, (b) a flexible substrate located on the flexible photovoltaic module, and (c) an adhesive located on the flexible photovoltaic module, the flexible circuit board comprising: a recharging circuit, wherein the recharging circuit is electrically connected to the cathode and anode electrodes; an energy storage unit; and a radio emitting device, wherein the photovoltaic powered flexible electronic device comprises a Young's Modulus of 150 GPa or less. The flexible electronic device can be a flexible organic electronic device.

Abstract: A sensing and/or beacon device comprising: a flexible substrate; a flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) module comprising a plurality of organic photovoltaic cells disposed on the flexible substrate; a top electrode and a bottom electrode incorporated into the flexible OPV module, wherein the top electrode and the bottom electrode are at least partially exposed; a first encapsulation covering the flexible substrate and the flexible OPV modules, a flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) device disposed on a side of the first encapsulation, wherein the FHE device comprises flexible electronics and die components, the flexible electronics comprising conductive traces, and wherein the FHE device completes an electrical contact with the fop electrode and the bottom electrode; a second encapsulation covering the flexible substrate, the flexible OPV module, the first encapsulation, and the FHE device; and an adhesive disposed on the second encapsulation.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system for monitoring and mitigating damage to electrical utility structures and the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the system includes fire boxes, arc sensors, angle switches, and disconnect switches configured to generate alert signals when a hazard is detected. In some embodiments, the system includes cameras configured to detect a hazard such as a fire or moving object. In some embodiments, the system includes light transmitters and light receivers positioned at a predetermined location away from power lines to detect objects that interrupt a line of site. In some embodiments, the system can electrically isolate a power line before a detected hazard impacts a power line.

Abstract: A modular sensor system comprising a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules comprising one or more sensors, one or more energy harvesters, one or more energy storage devices, one or more wireless radios, and one or more electronics devices, wherein the one or more energy harvesters comprise a photovoltaic cell; and one or more blind-mate connectors contained within each of the plurality of modules, wherein the one or more blind-mate connectors comprise an electrical connector to transmit power and/or data and configured to connect two modules of the plurality of modules together.

Abstract: A fluid power system comprises a pump with multiple independently variable outlets, each of which is capable of delivering fluid in individually controllable volume units and a plurality of hydraulic loads. A system of switching valves is configured to create fluid connections between the pump outlets and the loads. A control system commands both the pump and the switching valves, so as to create valve state combinations to satisfy load conditions as demanded by an operator. The number of pump outlets connected to one or more of the loads is changeable to satisfy the flow required of the load due to the operator demand, each pump outlet being commanded to produce a flow depending on the status of other outlets connected a load to which the outlet is connected and the operator demand for that load.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system for monitoring and mitigating damage to electrical utility structures and the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the system includes fire boxes, arc sensors, angle switches, and disconnect switches configured to generate alert signals when a hazard is detected. In some embodiments, the system includes cameras configured to detect a hazard such as a fire or moving object. In some embodiments, the system includes light transmitters and light receivers positioned at a predetermined location away from power lines to detect objects that interrupt a line of site. In some embodiments, the system can electrically isolate a power line before a detected hazard impacts a power line.

Abstract: A fluid power system comprises a pump with multiple independently variable outlets, each of which is capable of delivering fluid in individually controllable volume units and a plurality of hydraulic loads. A system of switching valves is configured to create fluid connections between the pump outlets and the loads. A control system commands both the pump and the switching valves, so as to create valve state combinations to satisfy load conditions as demanded by an operator. The number of pump outlets connected to one or more of the loads is changeable to satisfy the flow required of the load due to the operator demand, each pump outlet being commanded to produce a flow depending on the status of other outlets connected a load to which the outlet is connected and the operator demand for that load.

Abstract: A fluid power system comprises a pump with multiple independently variable outlets (11, 12, 13, 14), each of which is capable of delivering fluid in individually controllable volume units and a plurality of hydraulic loads (15, 16, 18, 20). A system of switching valves is configured to create fluid connections between the pump outlets and the loads. A control system commands both the pump and the switching valves, so as to create valve state combinations to satisfy load conditions as demanded by an operator. The number of pump outlets (11, 12, 13, 14) connected to one or more of the loads (15, 16, 18, 20) is changeable to satisfy the flow required of the load due to the operator demand, each pump outlet being commanded to produce a flow depending on the status of other outlets connected a load to which the outlet is connected and the operator demand for that load.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for sending social media messages without the need for keyboard inputs. A microphone captures live audio speech data and transmits the audio data to a processing unit. The processing unit converts the audio to speech data. The processing unit also removes censored words, emphasizes key words, and edits that data to include product and promotional messages where appropriate. The processing unit then uses code words contained in the speech data to send the speech data to the appropriate social media outlets for output.

Abstract: A fluid-working machine has a working chamber of cyclically varying volume, high and low pressure manifolds, and high and low pressure valves for regulating the flow of fluid between the working chamber and the high and low pressure manifolds respectively. A controller actively controls at least one said valve to determine the net displacement of working fluid of the working chamber on a cycle by cycle basis. At least one said valve is a variable timing valve and the controller causes the valve to open or close at a time determined taking into account one or more properties of the performance of the fluid working machine measured during an earlier cycle of working chamber volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a fluid-working machine wherein the volume of working fluid displaced each cycle is selectable and wherein the volume of working fluid displaced by a first working chamber takes into account the suitability of the working chamber to displace fluid. The invention extends in further aspects to power absorbing structures such as renewable energy devices comprising such fluid working machines. The invention allows the operation of fluid working machines and power absorbing structures which are more long lived.

Abstract: A floating dock is provided. The floating dock has a buoyant core. The sidewalls of the buoyant core have grooves. A reinforcing truss is embedded in and extends through the grooves. The grooves may be filled with concrete.

Abstract: A process for coating a cylinder or a liner of an internal combustion engine may involve a plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition (PACVD) technique. The process may include placing a component to be coated in a PACVD system; forming a negative pressure within the system in an inert atmosphere including argon, hydrogen, or a mixture thereof; activating a surface of the component at a bias voltage of 300 to 550 Vbias; performing an ionization of the component at a bias voltage of 800 to 1200 Vbias; depositing an adhesive layer having a precursor element on the surface of the component; depositing a transition layer having a gradient content of increasing amorphous carbon and decreasing precursor element; and depositing an upper layer composed of an amorphous carbon with the precursor element.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for sending social media messages without the need for keyboard inputs. A microphone captures live audio speech data and transmits the audio data to a processing unit. The processing unit converts the audio to speech data. The processing unit also removes censored words, emphasizes key words, and edits that data to include product and promotional messages where appropriate. The processing unit then uses code words contained in the speech data to send the speech data to the appropriate social media outlets for output.

Abstract: A floating dock is provided. The floating dock has a buoyant core. The sidewalls of the buoyant core have grooves. A reinforcing truss is embedded in and extends through the grooves. The grooves may be filled with concrete.

Abstract: In a method of detecting a fault in a fluid-working machine including a plurality of working chambers of cyclically varying volume, each working chamber is operable to displace a volume of working fluid which is selectable for each cycle of working chamber volume to carry out a working function responsive to a received demand signal. An output parameter of the fluid working machine, which is responsive to the displacement of working fluid by one or more of the working chambers to carry out the working function, is measured. It is determined whether the measured output parameter fulfils at least one acceptable function criterion, taking into account the previously selected net displacement of working fluid by a working chamber during a cycle of working chamber volume to carry out the working function.