Abstract: A liquid desiccant air conditioning system (LDAC). The LDAC has a plurality of modules including at least an initial module and a terminal module that may include one or more intermediate modules. The liquid desiccant is passed through each module and contacts an airstream in each module and subsequently collected in a basin. The liquid desiccant is supplied to a common heat exchanger where thermal energy is exchanged between the liquid desiccant and a refrigerant. The liquid desiccant is supplied from the common heat exchanger to a desiccant distributor for each of the plurality of modules such that the concentration and temperature of the liquid desiccant is essentially the same at each desiccant distributor.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system to facilitate hierarchical data exchange may include an aggregation platform data store containing electronic records. A data aggregation platform may collect, from a plurality of data source devices, information associated with a plurality of data sources and store the collected information into the aggregation platform data store. The data aggregation platform may also receive a data request from a data consumer device, and, responsive to the received data request, determine a precision tier associated with the data request. The data aggregation platform may then automatically calculate a resource value for the data request based on the precision tier. It may then be arranged for information from the aggregation platform data store to be modified and transmitted to the data consumer device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for restricted deployment of targeted processor firmware updates. During a patch enabling per-work flow, service entitlement license information comprising one of more service entitlements is generated and provisioned on one or more computing platforms. A restricted deployment microcode (uCode) update release (aka uCode patch) targeted for platforms having CPUs and/or XPUs with certain part identifier is sent to the one or more platforms. Run-time software and/or firmware on the platforms are executed to access the provisioned service entitlement license information, which is used to authentic and verify the restricted deployment uCode update release using a service entitlement having a part identifier associated with the platform's CPU. In one solution, authentication is performed using a hash-matching scheme and verification is used to verify the platform is properly licensed to load uCode included in the restricted deployment microcode (uCode) update release into the CPU.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes: a chassis; a plurality of arms that extend outwardly from the chassis; a plurality of propeller assemblies that are supported by the plurality of arms; a canopy that is connected to the chassis so as to provide an outer cover for the UAV that is configured to protect internal components thereof; a frame that is supported by the canopy such that the frame is isolated from the chassis; and a plurality of image capture assemblies that are supported by the frame such that the frame separates the plurality of image capture assemblies from the chassis and the canopy so as to inhibit relative movement between the plurality of image capture assemblies during operation of the UAV.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes: a chassis; a plurality of arms that extend outwardly from the chassis; a plurality of propeller assemblies that are supported by the plurality of arms; a canopy that is connected to the chassis so as to provide an outer cover for the UAV that is configured to protect internal components thereof; a frame that is supported by the canopy such that the frame is isolated from the chassis; and a plurality of image capture assemblies that are supported by the frame such that the frame separates the plurality of image capture assemblies from the chassis and the canopy so as to inhibit relative movement between the plurality of image capture assemblies during operation of the UAV.

Abstract: Systems and methods which allow for the integration of occupancy detection with traditional leak detection systems to further enhance the detection of dangerous leaks and allow them to be responded to in a more effective manner. The occupancy system will typically be integrated with flow detection systems, however, water presence detectors can also be integrated in another embodiment.

Abstract: An eye-mountable device is provided that includes a plurality of rigid polymer layers separated by liquid crystal layers. Certain eye-mountable devices includes a first rigid polymer layer, a second rigid polymer layer, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second rigid polymer layers. The liquid crystal layer has a refractive index that is electrically controllable between an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index, and the first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer include materials having a refractive index similar to the ordinary refractive index of the liquid crystal layer. The first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer may also include a combination of monomer-derived units that provide cast-moldable materials with high oxygen permeability. Methods for fabricating the eye-mountable device and for changing the focal length of the eye-mountable device are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a damping system, and in particular a clutch mechanism for an extended travel draft gear having components arranged such that movement of clutch mechanism components transforms kinetic energy into thermal energy via friction, while allowing for an extended length of travel. An arrangement of clutch component geometries, lengths, angles, etc. allows for motion along a longitudinal axis of the clutch mechanism to be damped via energy dissipation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hopper car gate assembly including a frame configured for attachment to a hopper car body. The frame defines an opening and includes a beam, wherein the beam has a slot formed therein. A stop plate is removably attached to the beam to selectively obstruct the slot. The assembly has a door supported by the frame. A stop block is attached to the door, wherein the stop block is located on the door such that when the door is inserted into the frame the stop block is aligned with the slot. With the stop plate attached to the beam, the stop block engages with the stop plate to define an open position and prevent further movement of the door in the open direction. With the stop plate detached from the beam, the stop block passes through the slot to allow removal of the door from the frame.

Abstract: A system (100) and device (300) for mounting and tracking a tracker array during a surgical procedure are described. For example, the system includes a surgical navigation system (700) including a position tracking system (702) configured to track one or more tracker arrays, and a device (300) for mounting a tracker array (306) onto a patient during the surgical procedure. The device includes an intramedullary (IM) canal component (304) configured to be inserted into an IM canal (310) within a bone (312). The device further includes a tracker pin (308) configured to penetrate at least a portion of the bone and engage an inserted end (411, 413) of the IM canal component, and a tracker array (306) affixed to the tracker pin. The IM canal component is configured to engage the IM canal of the bone to stabilize the tracker array during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Ophthalmic devices and ophthalmic systems including alignment sidewalls and blend zones disposed therethrough are described. An example ophthalmic device may include a first and a second optical element having alignment sidewalls shaped to cooperatively couple. The alignment sidewall may include blend zones disposed in the sidewall shaped to transition the sidewall from a ridge to a surface of an optic zone of the optical element. The alignment sidewalls may define a cavity disposed between two coupled optical elements when the alignment sidewalls are cooperatively coupled into which a liquid crystal may be disposed. A method of assembling an ophthalmic device is described. An example method may include aligning a blend zone of a first optical element with a mating blend zone of a second optical element. The example method may further include cooperatively coupling alignment sidewalls of the first optical element and the second optical element.

Abstract: Torque sensing devices, systems, and methods are capable of measuring and/or determining a torque being transmitted through a shaft by measuring the torsional deformation of the shaft over a short length thereof. Such devices, systems, and devices have a sensor positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft as it rotates, the sensor being positioned to maintain a substantially constant distance between the sensor and the outer surface of the shaft. The sensors may be variable reluctance (VR) sensors rigidly attached to a frame mounted on a bearing (e.g., a hanger bearing), which is mounted on the shaft, such that relative radial motion between the shaft and the VR sensor is minimized (e.g., so that they move in unison). Reducing this amount of motion results in a more accurate torque measurement.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a railcar damping system configured for placement in a railcar center sill having longitudinally spaced stops defining a center sill pocket. The system includes a damping assembly configured for receiving and dissipating external forces acting on a coupler connected to the damping system. Various embodiments of the damping system include a longitudinally moveable member, at least one stop and at least one follower block. Some embodiments include a housing. The shape, positioning, and configurations of these features allow for differentiated travel between buff and draft movements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing implants for surgical procedures. In some implementations, a model that has been trained using data indicating characteristics of other patients and items used in surgeries for the other patients is obtained. Using the model and patient characteristics for a patient, such as the height and weight of the patient, the items needed for a surgery for a particular patient can be identified. For example, the likelihoods that different sizes of an implant component will be needed can be identified and used to determine which sizes of components should be provided at a medical facility and in the operating room for the patient's surgery.

Abstract: Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and surgical computing devices are illustrated that improve surgical planning using machine learning. With this technology, a machine learning model is trained based on historical case log data sets associated with patients that have undergone a surgical procedure. The machine learning model is applied to current patient data for a current patient to generate a predictor equation. The current patient data comprises anatomy data for an anatomy of the current patient. The predictor equation is optimized to generate a size, position, and orientation of an implant, and resections required to achieve the position and orientation of the implant with respect to the anatomy of the current patient, as part of a surgical plan for the current patient.

Abstract: A patient-matched cutting block including a surface or point contact features adapted to at least partially conform to or reference a patient specific anatomy. The cutting block having guide slots configured for guiding the movement of cutting tools relative to the patient specific anatomy or features configured to mate to and guide standard cutting guides relative to patient specific anatomy in order to form plateau and eminence resections of the patient specific anatomy.

Abstract: An eye-mountable device is provided that includes a plurality of rigid polymer layers separated by liquid crystal layers. Certain eye-mountable devices includes a first rigid polymer layer, a second rigid polymer layer, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second rigid polymer layers. The liquid crystal layer has a refractive index that is electrically controllable between an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index, and the first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer include materials having a refractive index similar to the ordinary refractive index of the liquid crystal layer. The first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer may also include a combination of monomer-derived units that provide cast-moldable materials with high oxygen permeability. Methods for fabricating the eye-mountable device and for changing the focal length of the eye-mountable device are also provided.

Abstract: An eye-mountable device is provided that includes a plurality of rigid polymer layers separated by liquid crystal layers. Certain eye-mountable devices includes a first rigid polymer layer, a second rigid polymer layer, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second rigid polymer layers. The liquid crystal layer has a refractive index that is electrically controllable between an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index, and the first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer include materials having a refractive index similar to the ordinary refractive index of the liquid crystal layer. The first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer may also include a combination of monomer-derived units that provide cast-moldable materials with high oxygen permeability. Methods for fabricating the eye-mountable device and for changing the focal length of the eye-mountable device are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing implants for surgical procedures. In some implementations, a model that has been trained using data indicating characteristics of other patients and items used in surgeries for the other patients is obtained. Using the model and patient characteristics for a patient, such as the height and weight of the patient, the items needed for a surgery for a particular patient can be identified. For example, the likelihoods that different sizes of an implant component will be needed can be identified and used to determine which sizes of components should be provided at a medical facility and in the operating room for the patient's surgery.