Abstract: Disclosed is a 360° rotatable pet tether with the ability to remotely control a radius of freedom of travel for an attached pet. A rope can be retracted remotely in order to shorten the radius of freedom of travel for the pet, or extended to lengthen the radius of freedom of travel for the pet.

Abstract: A back pad assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided that includes a back pad, a framework, and a mounting frame. The back pad includes a center portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion. The first side portion defines a first curved profile, and the second side portion defines a second curved profile. The first curved profile and the second curved profile are arranged on laterally-opposing sides of the center portion. The framework includes a first mounting bar and a second mounting bar. The framework is coupled to the back pad. The first and second mounting bars are adjustably supported by the mounting frame to enable the back pad to be selectively mounted at varying heights along the mounting frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple device consumption of shared namespaces of ephemeral storage devices by a consumer of a virtual storage system are provided. In an example, multiple namespaces of respective ephemeral storage devices are shared among multiple of consumers of a virtual storage system by creating multiple partitions within each of the namespaces for use by respective consumers of the multiple consumers. Corresponding partitions of respective shared namespace may then be treated as a stripe set to facilitate multiple device consumption for a subsystem (e.g., operation log journaling) of the virtual storage system by striping data associated with input/output (I/O) requests of a consumer (e.g., a journaling driver) across one or more stripe units of one or more stripes within the stripe set.

Abstract: A fastener includes a bolt, a worm gear, and a retainer. A bolt shaft has a connecting region proximate to a free end of the shaft. The worm gear has a body with an upper surface, a lower surface, and an aperture that receives the bolt. The worm gear also includes a helical portion on an outer surface of the body. The retainer connects to the connecting region to retain the bolt within the aperture. The fastener can rotate relative to a cover to move from an unlocked position to a locked position where the helical portion engages the flange and limits translational movement of the cover relative to the flange. The body is tapered between the upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple device consumption of shared namespaces of ephemeral storage devices by a consumer of a virtual storage system are provided. In an example, multiple namespaces of respective ephemeral storage devices are shared among multiple of consumers of a virtual storage system by creating multiple partitions within each of the namespaces for use by respective consumers of the multiple consumers. Corresponding partitions of respective shared namespace may then be treated as a stripe set to facilitate multiple device consumption for a subsystem (e.g., operation log journaling) of the virtual storage system by striping data associated with input/output (I/O) requests of a consumer (e.g., a journaling driver) across one or more stripe units of one or more stripes within the stripe set.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing a namespace of an ephemeral storage device by multiple consumers are provided. In an example, an NVMe driver of a virtual storage system deployed within a compute instance of a cloud environment facilitates sharing of the namespace by exposing an API through which the multiple consumers access an ephemeral storage device associated with the compute instance. During initialization processing performed by each consumer, for example, during boot processing of the virtual storage system, the consumers may share the namespace by reserving for their own use respective partitions within the namespace via the API and thereafter restrict their usage of the namespace to their respective partitions, thereby retaining the functionality provided by the multiple consumers when the host on which the compute instance is deployed has fewer ephemeral storage devices than consumers that rely on the availability of vNVRAM backed by ephemeral storage.

Abstract: A method for conducting a transaction may include: receiving, at a user device from a transaction system, a request for a data element for conducting the transaction; in response to receiving the request, determining a data map corresponding to the requested data element, the data map including containing a plurality of pointers, each pointing to a respective one of a plurality of data fragments located on a respective one of a plurality of different data storage locations, such as a plurality of different data storage systems; retrieving, using the data map, the plurality of data fragments from the plurality of data storage locations; assembling the data element using the retrieved data fragments; and providing, by the user device to the transaction system, the data element to conduct the transaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for forming a glass article in which molten glass is heated in a refractory vessel defining a space interior to the refractory vessel. A precious metal component is exposed to the interior space. The apparatus includes first and second electrodes exposed to the interior space. A first electrical power source configured to supply a first electrical current is connected between the first and second electrodes. A second electrical power source is connected between the precious metal component and at least one of the first electrode or a first auxiliary electrode and configured to provide a second electrical current out-of-phase with the first electrical current. A third electrical power source is connected between the precious metal component and at least one of the second electrode or a second auxiliary electrode and configured to provide a third electrical current out-of-phase with the first electrical current.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for forming a glass article in which molten glass is heated in a refractory vessel by establishing an electrical current in the molten glass between opposing powered electrodes along a first electrical path. The melting vessel includes a precious metal component in contact with the molten glass, and at least one non-powered electrode proximate the precious metal component. The at least one non-powered electrode and the precious metal component form second and third electrical paths, respectively, in parallel with the first electrical path such that an electrical current in the second electrical path is decreased, thereby reducing an electrochemical reaction in the precious metal component.

Abstract: A data storage system stores a plurality of partitions for a volume and at least one parity partition for the volume. The parity partition includes erasure encoded data that enables any one of the partitions to be reconstructed using the erasure encoded data of the parity partition. Additionally, the data storage system is configured to generate parity data updates in response to modifications to the volume and store updated parity data in the parity partition, such that a current state of any of the partitions of the volume can be re-created in response to a loss of one of the partitions.

Abstract: An improved device for collecting particulate matter suspended in the ambient air is disclosed comprising a container extending between an open first end and a closed second end defining a container interior. A container output communicates with a container interior located proximate the closed second end of the container. A filter cassette comprising a collection filter is permanently affixed to a filter holder. A retainer having a retainer input retains the filter cassette between the retainer input and the container output. An output connector connects the container output to a low pressure source for drawing ambient air into the retainer input for enabling the collection filter to collect particulate matter suspended in the ambient air entering the retainer input. Preferably, the filter holder and the filter are disposable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for manually setting up a wire drive assembly of a welding power supply and automatically setting up welding power supply parameters. A drive roll is configured with multiple grooves for receiving multiple wires of different types and/or different diameters. A sensor can detect the configuration of the drive roll such as, for example, being configured to receive a particular wire type with a particular diameter in a particular groove, by detect a distance to the drive roll. The welding power supply can use this information to automatically set the wire speed.

Abstract: A system includes an engine configured to drive a generator to produce a first power output, and a first inverter communicatively coupled to the generator. The first inverter is configured to convert the first power output into a second power output. The system includes a second inverter communicatively coupled to the generator. The second inverter is configured to convert the first power output into a third power output. The third power output includes a welding power output.

Abstract: A battery powered welding system is provided. In one welding system a battery powered welder includes control circuitry configured to control a welding power output converted from power from an external battery power source. The battery powered welder also includes a wire drive assembly coupled to the control circuitry and configured to feed a welding wire using power from the external battery power source. The battery powered welder includes a case integrally supporting and enclosing the control circuitry and the wire drive assembly. The case is not configured to enclose the external battery power source.

Abstract: Provided is a battery module and battery rack having enhanced fire safety features. The battery module includes an applied pressure assembly with integrated sensor that detects swelling of a battery cell. An output signal of the sensor is used to halt operation of a battery system containing the battery module and an output signal of the sensor is used to halt charging and discharging of the battery module. In an embodiment, the battery module uses an AC-to-AC power supply to provide audio frequency power for balancing battery cells of the battery module. In an embodiment, the battery rack includes a directed water fire suppression system that provides battery cooling after a fire to ensure the fire does not reignite.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating user interaction such as within a social network are described. In one implementation, location-based display of images and/or other information associated with other users or entities may be provided. The information may be provided in association with mapping or other positional data or information such as personal interests.

Abstract: Provided is a battery module and battery rack having enhanced fire safety features. The battery module includes a swelling/pressure sensor that detects swelling of a battery cell. An output signal of the sensor is used to halt operation of a battery rack/battery system containing the battery module and prevent charging and discharging of the battery module. In an embodiment, the battery module uses an AC-to-AC power supply to provide AC frequency power for balancing battery cells of the battery module. In an embodiment, the battery rack includes an internal water fire suppression system that provides battery cooling in the event of a battery cell fire to prevent the spread and/or reigniting of the fire.

Abstract: A battery powered welding system is provided. In one welding system a battery powered welder includes control circuitry configured to control a welding power output converted from power from an external battery power source. The battery powered welder also includes a wire drive assembly coupled to the control circuitry and configured to feed a welding wire using power from the external battery power source. The battery powered welder includes a case integrally supporting and enclosing the control circuitry and the wire drive assembly. The case is not configured to enclose the external battery power source.