Abstract: A vehicle system includes a sensor programmed to output an occupant or object detection signal indicating a presence of an unauthorized occupant or unauthorized object in a host vehicle. An autonomous mode controller is programmed to determine, from the occupant or object detection signal, whether to operate the host vehicle in an autonomous mode.

Abstract: A key-less entry system for motor vehicle uses actuations of one or more pre-existing vehicle components accessible from outside the vehicle, such as door handles, to generate an unlock an unlock code that is stored in a control unit. The code represents a sequence of actuations of component(s). Upon leaving the vehicle, the user locks the vehicle and sets the code by actuating the components in the desired sequence. To later unlock the vehicle, the user repeats the sequence of actuations, and the control unit sends an unlock signal to one or more door latches.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a sensor programmed to output an occupant or object detection signal indicating a presence of an unauthorized occupant or unauthorized object in a host vehicle. An autonomous mode controller is programmed to determine, from the occupant or object detection signal, whether to operate the host vehicle in an autonomous mode.

Abstract: A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge has a tubular polymer container that receives a chromatographic packing material. The container has an outlet port located at its downstream end and container threads formed on its upstream end. A polymer cap, with an inlet port on an upstream end, screws onto the container threads. A flange depending from the cap mates with the lip of the container to form a fluid tight seal between the polymer cap and container suitable for use in low pressure liquid chromatography.

Abstract: A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge has a tubular polymer container that receives a chromatographic packing material. The container has an outlet port located at its downstream end and container threads formed on its upstream end. A polymer cap, with an inlet port on an upstream end, screws onto the container threads. A flange depending from the cap mates with the lip of the container to form a fluid tight seal between the polymer cap and container suitable for use in low pressure liquid chromatography.

Abstract: A filter vial and piston are provided where the vial has a cylindrical wall with a closed bottom and open top and with the hollow, tubular piston therein. The piston has a distal end covered by a cup having a proximal cup seal extending outward to engage the walls of the vial to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. The distal end of the piston has a piston flange extending outwardly and located adjacent a recess in the piston so the cup forms a snap fit over the piston flange and extends into the recess. The piston flange causes the cup to bulge sufficiently outward to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. A filter is placed in the bottom of the cup and abuts an inwardly extending lip on the cup. The filter is held against the lip by a piston support at the distal end of the piston. A cup support at a distal end of the cup also helps support the filter.

Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame, a front steering assembly rotatably coupled to the frame, a front wheel rotatably coupled to the front steering assembly, and a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the frame. The frame includes an inflatable segment and a valve in communication with the inflatable segment for selectively inflating and deflating the inflatable segment.

Abstract: A cap has recess containing a porous frit and a graded porosity filter located so fluid from a container to which the cap is connected passes through the filter and out a spout on the cap. The filter porosity is selected to pass product expressed from cellular organisms grown in growth media inside the container while filtering out debris. A cap vent allows positive pressure in the container ullage to expedite filtering and reduce agitation of the container contents. This is not just a cap with a filter but an enabling tool. This tool enables total design change in many processes from previous thinking, allowing for the maximization of purified material, and reduction of multiple steps.

Abstract: An electronic parking brake system having selectable modes and varying parking brake actuation dependent on the selected mode and amount of parking brake application being requested. The system provides for varying interfaces with varying programmed outputs to control a vehicle's parking brake. One such mode being a boat launch mode in which an electronic parking brake is initially actuated to 100%, the amount of parking brake application is displayed, and the driver is allowed to modulate the parking brake application through + and ? buttons in combination with the visual display to allow the vehicle to back down a boat ramp using gravity.

Abstract: A self-propelled unicycle is selectively engaged with a vehicle for use with the vehicle and is selectively disengaged with the vehicle for independent use. The self-propelled unicycle includes a hub and a wheel rotatably coupled to the hub. A motor is supported on the hub and is coupled to the wheel for rotating the wheel relative to the hub. The hub including an engagement feature for selectively engaging and disengaging the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-propelled unicycle is selectively engaged with a vehicle for use with the vehicle and is selectively disengaged with the vehicle for independent use. The self-propelled unicycle includes a hub and a wheel rotatably coupled to the hub. A motor is supported on the hub and is coupled to the wheel for rotating the wheel relative to the hub. The hub including an engagement feature for selectively engaging and disengaging the vehicle.

Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame, a front steering assembly rotatably coupled to the frame, a front wheel rotatably coupled to the front steering assembly, and a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the frame. The frame includes an inflatable segment and a valve in communication with the inflatable segment for selectively inflating and deflating the inflatable segment.

Abstract: An electronic parking brake system having selectable modes and varying parking brake actuation dependent on the selected mode and amount of parking brake application being requested. The system provides for varying interfaces with varying programmed outputs to control a vehicle's parking brake. One such mode being a boat launch mode in which an electronic parking brake is initially actuated to 100%, the amount of parking brake application is displayed, and the driver is allowed to modulate the parking brake application through + and ? buttons in combination with the visual display to allow the vehicle to back down a boat ramp using gravity.

Abstract: A filter vial and piston are provided where the vial has a cylindrical wall with a closed bottom and open top and with the hollow, tubular piston therein. The piston has a distal end covered by a cup having a proximal cup seal extending outward to engage the walls of the vial to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. The distal end of the piston has a piston flange extending outwardly and located adjacent a recess in the piston so the cup forms a snap fit over the piston flange and extends into the recess. The piston flange causes the cup to bulge sufficiently outward to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. A filter is placed in the bottom of the cup and abuts an inwardly extending lip on the cup. The filter is held against the lip by a piston support at the distal end of the piston. A cup support at a distal end of the cup also helps support the filter.

Abstract: A key-less entry system for motor vehicle uses actuations of one or more pre-existing vehicle components accessible from outside the vehicle, such as door handles, to generate an unlock an unlock code that is stored in a control unit. The code represents a sequence of actuations of component(s). Upon leaving the vehicle, the user locks the vehicle and sets the code by actuating the components in the desired sequence. To later unlock the vehicle, the user repeats the sequence of actuations, and the control unit sends an unlock signal to one or more door latches.

Abstract: A filter vial and piston are provided where the vial has a cylindrical wall with a closed bottom and open top and with the hollow, tubular piston therein. The piston has a position stop located and configured to abut a mating position stop on the vial to limit relative movement of the piston and vial. The position stops are located to stop the distal end of the piston away from the bottom of the vial a distance of about 10-30% the height of the vial. That a material to be dissolved in a liquid in the vial and to remove unwanted molecules from the liquid with the piston forcing the liquid through the filter but not squeezing the slurry of material so as to force it into the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus filters particles from small volumes of liquid in a tubular vial having an open top and closed bottom with a tubular plunger sliding in the vial to force liquid through a filter at the end of the plunger and into a cavity in the plunger. The filter is held by a cap placed over the end of the plunger. The vial's bottom has an upward extending protrusion mating with a conforming recess in the cap to direct liquid to the protraction and filter as the cap abuts the bottom of the vial. Channels in the bottom help direct liquid flow.

Abstract: A filter vial and piston are provided where the vial has a cylindrical wall with a closed bottom and open top and with the hollow, tubular piston therein. The piston has a distal end covered by a cup having a proximal cup seal extending outward to engage the walls of the vial to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. The distal end of the piston has a piston flange extending outwardly and located adjacent a recess in the piston so the cup forms a snap fit over the piston flange and extends into the recess. The piston flange causes the cup to bulge sufficiently outward to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. A filter is placed in the bottom of the cup and abuts an inwardly extending lip on the cup. The filter is held against the lip by a piston support at the distal end of the piston. A cup support at a distal end of the cup also helps support the filter.

Abstract: A cap has recess containing a porous frit and a graded porosity filter located so fluid from a container to which the cap is connected passes through the filter and out a spout on the cap. The filter porosity is selected to pass product expressed from cellular organisms grown in growth media inside the container while filtering out debris. A cap vent allows positive pressure in the container ullage to expedite filtering and reduce agitation of the container contents. This is not just a cap with a filter but an enabling tool. This tool enables total design change in many processes from previous thinking, allowing for the maximization of purified material, and reduction of multiple steps.