Abstract: A strain sensor having an active area that includes a magnetoelastic resonator and spring configured so that the spring undergoes a greater amount of strain than the resonator when the sensor is under load. The sensor is anchored at opposite ends of the active area to a substrate for which strain is to be measured. An interrogating coil is used for wireless sensor readout. A biasing magnet may be included to provide a desired sensor response for the particular application of the sensor. The strain sensor may be implemented as a differential strain sensor that includes a second, strain-independent reference resonator.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) configured to autonomously deliver items of inventory to various destinations. The UAV may receive inventory information and a destination location and autonomously retrieve the inventory from a location within a materials handling facility, compute a route from the materials handling facility to a destination and travel to the destination to deliver the inventory.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting objects, such as firearm cartridge cases is provided. The apparatus may include a motor, such as an electrically powered motor. The apparatus may also include a tray assembly having a first plurality of slots, a box assembly, a base assembly having a bottom member, and a first bin lying beneath the first plurality of slots. The tray assembly may be fixed to the box assembly so that the tray assembly is angled with respect to a flat ground surface when the bottom member lies on the flat ground surface. The motor may be connected to the tray assembly so that when the motor is electrically powered on, the motor vibrates the tray assembly. Each of the first plurality of slots may be sized so that a first type of object will fall through each of the first plurality of slots and into the first bin.

Abstract: A troffer door assembly has a frame assembly, a lens member and a light emitting diode (LED) assembly. The rigid brace member is affixed to the frame assembly such that the rigidity of the frame assembly is increased. Hinge members and latch members are positioned in exterior slots on the frame assembly such that the location of the hinge members and latch members can be adjusted. In this manner installed troffer light fixtures can be retrofitted by replacing the installed troffer door with the troffer door assembly as described.

Abstract: A troffer door assembly having a heat conductive frame assembly, a lens member and a light emitting diode (LED) assembly having a rigid heat conductive brace member, wherein the rigid brace member is affixed to the frame assembly such that the rigidity of the frame assembly is increased and such that heat is passed from the rigid brace member to the frame assembly. Hinge members and latch members are positioned in exterior slots on the frame assembly such that the location of the hinge members and latch members can be adjusted. In this manner installed troffer light fixtures can be retrofitted by replacing the installed troffer door with the troffer door assembly as described.

Abstract: A system and method for processing payment transactions via payment devices are provided. Issuer application selection criteria associated with a payment device, merchant application selection criteria associated with an acceptance device, and/or payment network card program file(s) may be evaluated to determine the payment application to be used for processing a payment transaction.

Abstract: Transferring data between devices utilizing state data. The devices may include a writer device and a reader device, each coupled to a common bus. A host device may create a transfer session between the devices. Each of the host device, the writer device, and the reader device may maintain state data of the transfer session. The host device may notify at least one of the reader device or the writer device of a state change from a disabled state to an enabled state. After enabling, data may be transferred directly between the writer device and the reader device without involving the host device. Finally, the host device may notify at least one of the reader device or the writer device of a state change from the enabled state to the disabled state. After disabling, the direct transfer of data between the writer device and the reader device may be stopped.

Abstract: A troffer door assembly having a heat conductive frame assembly, a lens member and a light emitting diode (LED) assembly having a rigid heat conductive brace member, wherein the rigid brace member is affixed to the frame assembly such that the rigidity of the frame assembly is increased and such that heat is passed from the rigid brace member to the frame assembly. Hinge members and latch members are positioned in exterior slots on the frame assembly such that the location of the hinge members and latch members can be adjusted. In this manner installed troffer light fixtures can be retrofitted by replacing the installed troffer door with the troffer door assembly as described.

Abstract: A stent and a magnetoelastic resonant sensor are provided for sensor a physical characteristic in a bodily vessel or cavity. External coils interact with the sensor to induce a resonance that is responsive to the physical characteristic, such that the device may wirelessly measure physical characteristics such as mass loading effects and viscosity changes due to progression of pathology in implanted stents and stent grafts. The sensor may be fashioned from a magnetoelastic material and may be integrated near the inner sidewall of the stent. The sensor may take on a complex patterned shape to enhance the sensitivity and flexibility of the sensor structure. When the sensor is interrogated with a time-varying magnetic field, the sensor will mechanically vibrate and generate a magnetic flux which is maximum at a resonant characteristic determined by the mass load on the sensor and the viscosity of the fluid surrounding the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting objects, such as firearm cartridge cases is provided. The apparatus may include a motor, such as an electrically powered motor. The apparatus may also include a tray assembly having a first plurality of slots, a box assembly, a base assembly having a bottom member, and a first bin lying beneath the first plurality of slots. The tray assembly may be fixed to the box assembly so that the tray assembly is angled with respect to a flat ground surface when the bottom member lies on the flat ground surface. The motor may be connected to the tray assembly so that when the motor is electrically powered on, the motor vibrates the tray assembly. Each of the first plurality of slots may be sized so that a first type of object will fall through each of the first plurality of slots and into the first bin.

Abstract: Transferring data between devices utilizing state data. The devices may include a writer device and a reader device, each coupled to a common bus. A host device may create a transfer session between the devices. Each of the host device, the writer device, and the reader device may maintain state data of the transfer session. The host device may notify at least one of the reader device or the writer device of a state change from a disabled state to an enabled state. After enabling, data may be transferred directly between the writer device and the reader device without involving the host device. Finally, the host device may notify at least one of the reader device or the writer device of a state change from the enabled state to the disabled state. After disabling, the direct transfer of data between the writer device and the reader device may be stopped.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (29) for accessing a remote anatomical site is provided. The medical apparatus (29) includes a handle assembly (33) for releasably retaining a cannula (31). The handle assembly (33) includes a collar (40) slidable along a body portion (37) between a lock position for holding catches (36) on flexible detent arms (34) in an inward position and in engagement with a recess (30) in the cannula (31) to retain the cannula (31), and a release position for allowing the catches (36) to move radially outwardly to release the cannula (31). A channel (28) defined in the body portion (37) contains keys (68) that allow for insertion of the cannula (31) when aligned with grooves (64) defined in an outer surface of the cannula (31).

Abstract: A stent and a magnetoelastic resonant sensor are provided for sensor a physical characteristic in a bodily vessel or cavity. External coils interact with the sensor to induce a resonance that is responsive to the physical characteristic, such that the device may wirelessly measure physical characteristics such as mass loading effects and viscosity changes due to progression of pathology in implanted stents and stent grafts. The sensor may be fashioned from a magnetoelastic material and may be integrated near the inner sidewall of the stent. The sensor may take on a complex patterned shape to enhance the sensitivity and flexibility of the sensor structure. When the sensor is interrogated with a time-varying magnetic field, the sensor will mechanically vibrate and generate a magnetic flux which is maximum at a resonant characteristic determined by the mass load on the sensor and the viscosity of the fluid surrounding the sensor.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (29) for accessing a remote anatomical site is provided. The medical apparatus (29) includes a handle assembly (33) for releasably retaining a cannula (31). The handle assembly (33) includes a collar (40) slidable along a body portion (37) between a lock position for holding catches (36) on flexible detent arms (34) in an inward position and in engagement with a recess (30) in the cannula (31) to retain the cannula (31), and a release position for allowing the catches (36) to move radially outwardly to release the cannula (31). A channel (28) defined in the body portion (37) contains keys (68) that allow for insertion of the cannula (31) when aligned with grooves (64) defined in an outer surface of the cannula (31).

Abstract: An air cleaner for a vehicular engine includes a pre-filter which receives air flow containing particulates and a primary filter which receives the air from the pre-filter. The pre-filter removes a first proportion of particulates from the air, and the primary filter removes a second proportion of particulates from the air. The pre-filter is separately serviceable from the primary filter.

Abstract: An intraoral apparatus for illuminating a patient's mouth includes a bite spacer having a pair of teeth engaging structures vertically spaced apart by a spacer structure that includes a side wall. At least one self-contained light emitting device is operably mounted in the side wall of the bite spacer. The bite spacer is positionable between the teeth on either side of the patient's mouth such that the light emitting devices illuminate the other side of the patient's mouth. In one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is positioned within the bite spacer to power the light emitting devices. An induction charging circuit recharges the rechargeable battery without connections external to the bite spacer. In another embodiment, the bite spacers are adapted to interface with a recharging and sterilizing base station.

Abstract: The present invention involves an air induction system having a hydrocarbon adsorbing feature for adsorbing backflow of hydrocarbons from a vehicle engine. The air induction system includes an air filter for filtering ambient air, a clean air duct in fluid communication with the air filter, sensor mounted adjacent the clean air duct, and a hydrocarbon adsorber mounted to the clean air duct for adsorbing backflow of hydrocarbons from the engine. The hydrocarbon adsorber includes an outer body having an air inlet end and an air outlet end. The body is comprised of hydrocarbon adsorbing material and has a configuration of connected inner walls disposed therein and spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An air induction system of an automotive internal combustion engine comprises an evaporative emission control device inserted into an air intake tube connecting an air cleaner canister and an intake manifold of the engine. The evaporative emission control device comprises a rigid tubular body that includes an upstream end and a downstream end. A hydrocarbon vapor absorbing element is disposed within the rigid tubular body such that the upstream face is recessed from the upstream end of the rigid tubular body, and the downstream face is recessed from the downstream end of the rigid tubular body. The extended ends of the rigid tubular body thereby protect the recessed faces from incidental contact. The air intake tube is formed of elastomeric material that provides flexible support for the evaporative emission control device to protect against damage due to vibration.

Abstract: The present invention involves an air induction system having a hydrocarbon adsorbing feature for adsorbing backflow of hydrocarbons from a vehicle engine. The air induction system includes an air filter for filtering ambient air, a clean air duct in fluid communication with the air filter, sensor mounted adjacent the clean air duct, and a hydrocarbon adsorber mounted to the clean air duct for adsorbing backflow of hydrocarbons from the engine. The hydrocarbon adsorber includes an outer body having an air inlet end and an air outlet end. The body is comprised of hydrocarbon adsorbing material and has a configuration of connected inner walls disposed therein and spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrocarbon trap positioned in the air intake system of a vehicle, upstream from the engine and wholly in the airflow. The hydrocarbon trap comprises a holder and a material for adsorbing the hydrocarbons, inserted inside the holder. The holder comprises a screen that is added at the end facing the engine. The screen is held in place with the help of a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a locking ramp on the holder and corresponding locking tab on a clamping ring surrounding the holder.