Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.

Abstract: A blister piercing element for puncturing the lid of a blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user. The piercing element has an outlet opening for the passage of medicament entrained in an airflow out of the blister and, a piercing head extending beyond and overhanging the opening that cuts a flap in a lid of a blister and pushes it away from the opening during insertion.

Abstract: A board is provided that includes a pattern to facilitate attachment of the board to a frame structure. The pattern comprises a first array of marks disposed along a first imaginary line; a second array of marks disposed along a second imaginary line, said first and second imaginary lines being spaced a first predetermined distance apart; and a third array of marks disposed along a third imaginary line, said first and third imaginary lines being spaced a second predetermined distance apart. The board may be used in a variety of construction applications, where the pattern facilitates the quick attachment of the board to an underlying frame.

Abstract: Arrangements are provided for assembling multiple substrates for coating within a fluidized bed coater so as to deposit a coating of uniform thickness across the entire exterior surface thereof. One embodiment includes a method for coating orthopedic implants having convex and concave surfaces with pyrocarbon by pyrolytic decomposition of a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical illuminator. The surgical illuminator includes: a cylindrical lens barrel, a base, a printed circuit board, a light emitting diode, an aspheric lens, and a double-convex lens. Methods of using the surgical illuminator are also provided.

Abstract: A skin interface device (“SID”) for a cardiac assist device, including a SID cap having a first housing, an annular sleeve, and a first annular winding disposed over said annular sleeve. The SID further includes a SID base having a second housing formed to include a tubular portion, a cylindrical member disposed in said tubular portion, and a second annular winding disposed around said cylindrical member. The SID cap is configured to be rotationally attached to said SID base. When the SID cap is attached to the SID base, the second annular winding is disposed within the first annular winding, and the relative positions of the first annular winding and the second annular winding are fixed both laterally and vertically.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may help to automatically create flight plans that incorporate information regarding a number of different societal considerations. An illustrative computer-implemented method may involve receiving societal-consideration data for a plurality of geographic areas over which unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are deployable. For a given geographic area from the plurality of geographic areas, the societal-consideration data may include one or more land-use indications for the geographic area that are indicative of a type of land use in the geographic area. The method may also involve, for each of one or more of the plurality of geographic areas: applying a cost function to the one or more land-use indications for the geographic area to determine a societal-consideration cost of UAV flight over the geographic area; and sending an indication of the determined societal-consideration cost to a computer-based flight planner.

Abstract: Cutting elements for earth-boring tools include one or more recesses and/or one or more protrusions in a cutting face of a volume of superabrasive material. The superabrasive material may be disposed on a substrate. The cutting face may be non-planar. The recesses and/or protrusions may include one or more linear segments. The recesses and/or protrusions may comprise discrete features that are laterally isolated from one another. The recesses and/or protrusions may have a helical configuration. The volume of superabrasive material may comprise a plurality of thin layers, at least two of which may differ in at least one characteristic. Methods of forming cutting elements include the formation of such recesses and/or protrusions in and/or on a cutting face of a volume of superabrasive material. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements, and methods of forming earth-boring tools include attaching such a cutting element to a tool body.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for aircraft storage containers includes a fire suppression unit removably located within each cargo container and a human to machine interface (HMI) located in the aircraft cockpit. Each fire suppression unit includes an identifier so that each unit is identified and correlated with its container. The HMI monitors each fire suppression unit including monitoring internal temperature, presence of chemical fumes, presence of smoke, presence of flammable gases, and presence of fire. Each fire suppression unit is programmed with specific thresholds of temperature, chemical fumes, smoke, and/or flammable gases, whereby when a threshold is reached activation of fire suppression means within the fire suppression unit is accomplished.

Abstract: A method of testing a one or more components of a data storage system introduces a first plurality of micro-transitions into a first data write pattern, which is then written to a magnetic media. A read-back signal is generated, and a frequency response of the read-back signal is analyzed to determine performance of the one or more components of the data storage system.

Abstract: A continuous process for making a pita chip or other similar products using a continuous pressing step that occurs shortly after a continuous oven initial cooking step. Applicants' invention produces a final product with characteristics of a traditionally cooked pita chip using equipment that provides for significant increases in manufacturing throughput. The use of a continuous oven with the relatively concurrent pressing step allows for the production of a flat chip piece on a continuous product line.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane surface immersed in a liquid medium with a fluid flow, including the steps of providing a randomly generated intermittent or pulsed fluid flow along the membrane surface to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. A membrane module is also disclosed comprising a plurality of porous membranes (6) or a set of membrane modules (5) and a device (11) for providing a generally randomly generated, pulsed fluid flow such that, in use, said fluid flow moves past the surfaces of said membranes (6) to dislodge fouling materials therefrom.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) heating apparatus and a microwave oven comprising an RF heating apparatus. The apparatus includes a cavity for receiving an object to be heated. The apparatus also includes a plurality of channels for generating RF radiation to be introduced into the cavity. Each channel includes a frequency synthesiser, a power amplifier and an antenna. Each channel is operable to use a common phase reference signal for generating the RF radiation. Each channel may be controllably operable to generate RF radiation having different, respective frequency spectra. Forward and reverse signal detection circuitry may be provided that is operable to determine amplitude, frequency and/or phase information relating to RF radiation in the cavity. This information may be used for adaptively controlling the RF radiation generated by each channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle having a braking system and a method of engaging the braking system. The braking system engages a brake mechanism as a waiting brake. The vehicle has a dual function device which is configured such that when the dual function device is activated when the vehicle transmission system is in a drive mode, the transmission system is maintained in that drive mode, and when the dual function device is activated when the transmission system is in the neutral mode, the brake mechanism is engaged.

Abstract: A method for determining a score for a research survey to be deployed in a mobile environment is disclosed. The method includes receiving survey data descriptive of a survey to be distributed to a plurality of respondents, and analyzing the survey data to identify one or more attributes of the survey. The method includes generating a survey score for the survey based on the one or more attributes of the survey. The survey score is representative of a suitability of the survey for presentation at a mobile device. The method may include determining distribution information for the survey based at least in part on the survey score. The distribution information identifies a set of respondents of the plurality of respondents to receive the survey.

Abstract: A board includes a pattern to facilitate attachment of the board to a frame structure using fasteners. The pattern comprises a first array of first marks disposed in rows spaced apart a first predetermined distance, and a second array of second marks disposed in rows spaced apart a second predetermined distance apart, with the first and second marks being different, and with the first and second distances being different. The board may be used in a variety of construction applications, with the pattern facilitating the quick attachment of the board to the underlying frame by placing the fasteners using the first markings of the first array or the second markings of the second array.

Abstract: A polycrystalline super hard construction comprises a body of PCD material and a plurality of interstitial regions between inter-bonded diamond grains forming the PCD material. The body also comprises a first region substantially free of a solvent/catalysing material which extends a depth from a working surface into the body of PCD material. A second region remote from the working surface includes solvent/catalysing material in a plurality of the interstitial regions. A chamfer extends between the working surface and a peripheral side surface of the body of PCD material. The chamfer has a height which is the length along a plane perpendicular to the plane along which the working surface extends between the point of intersection of the chamfer with the working surface and the point of intersection of the chamfer and the peripheral side surface of the body of PCD material. The depth of the first region is greater than the height of the chamfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining that a discharge lamp is properly inserted in a socket. The apparatus includes a gas discharge lamp, comprising a first end and a second end, a magnet positioned at the first end of the gas discharge lamp, a sensor configured to detect the presence of the magnet, and a control system configured to receive a signal from the sensor, and thereby delay or stop operation of the gas discharge lamp when the received sensor signal indicates the magnet is not detected.

Abstract: A method of making a cutter structure comprising super-hard material defining a rake face topology is provided.