Abstract: A system and bent-pipe transponder component for determining a location of an individual or object in three dimensional space. The system includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless electromagnetic signal at a first frequency and at least one transponder that is configured to responsively emit a second wireless electromagnetic signal having a second frequency that is frequency-shifted from the first frequency. An included receiver detecting the first and second wireless electromagnetic signals is configured to provide an output of location information for the at least one transponder. A bent-pipe transponder component may include a receiving antenna, an emitting antenna, and a frequency shift stage comprising an oscillator and a first mixer, with the frequency stage mixing a received first wireless electromagnetic signal with the output of the oscillator via the first mixer to produce the emitted second wireless electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A resistance control system of an amusement attraction includes a support assembly having a base, a pivot joint, and a support beam extending between the base and the pivot joint. The resistance control system includes a spring plate coupled to the pivot joint of the support assembly, and includes at least one spring engaged with the spring plate. Additionally, the resistance control system includes an actuator plate positioned between the spring plate and the base of the support assembly, as well as at least one actuator coupled between the actuator plate and the base. The at least one actuator is configured to move and secure the actuator plate relative to the pivot joint to adjust a resistance to movement about the pivot joint.

Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system configured to mitigate signal interference, the system comprising a plurality of RFID readers, comprising a first RFID reader and a second RFID reader; and a plurality of antennas, wherein a first antenna is connected to the first RFID reader and a second antenna is connected to the second RFID reader. Prior to the first RFID reader transmitting a signal through the first antenna, the first RFID reader samples a received radio frequency (RF) signal from the first antenna, and if the received RF signal meets predetermined strength and frequency criteria, the first RFID reader inhibits transmission of the signal through the first antenna.

Abstract: An electric motor pump system includes a variable displacement pump, an electric motor connected to drive the variable displacement pump, a first control piston configured to limit an output pressure characteristic of the pump, and a second control piston controlled via a servo valve according to an output speed of the electric motor. In embodiments, the second piston is configured to maintain a substantially constant output flow of the pump as the output speed of the electric motor changes. With embodiments, the first and second control pistons may be configured to act on a yoke of the variable displacement pump.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described regarding vehicular driver evaluation. Various aspects may include monitoring a vehicle operating environment in which a vehicle is operating. A target vehicle operating within the vehicle operating environment may be identified based upon sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the vehicle. An indication of an identity of the target vehicle may be recorded and an indication of an evaluation of an operation of the target vehicle may be received by the operator of the vehicle. The indication of the evaluation of the operation of the target vehicle may indicate the quality of operation of the target vehicle. The indication of the identity of the target vehicle and the indication of the evaluation of the operation of the target vehicle may be transmitted to a remote server.

Abstract: A system includes a medium disposed on a base, a plurality of transducers coupled to the base, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of transducers such that each individual transducer of the plurality of transducers is individually addressable by the controller. The controller is configured to receive feedback and to instruct at least some of the individual transducers of the plurality of transducers to activate to move the medium on the base to create a shaped surface based on the feedback.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions containing at least one of the following: (1) estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (2) hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (3) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide polyethylene glycol diesters; (4) estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (5) hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (6) unsaturated hydroxy derived estolide trimetholpropane diesters; (7) estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (8) estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (9) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide epoxide polyethylene glycol diesters; (10) mono-capped hydroxy derived estolide dihydroxide polyethylene glycol diesters; and mixtures thereof; and optionally a carrier. All the compounds can be used as a viscosity index improver thereby improving a lubricant's performance.

Abstract: A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis and a plurality of fiber optic splitter modules mounted within the chassis. Each splitter module includes at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the chassis are positioned at least one fiber optic adapter. Inserting the splitter module through a front opening of the chassis at a mounting location positions the connector of the splitter module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the chassis. The adapters mounted within the interior of the chassis are integrally formed as part of a removable adapter assembly. A method of mounting a fiber optic splitter module within a telecommunications chassis is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and processing spatiotemporal data are disclosed. Signals are received from user devices, where each of the signals includes an identifier of a respective user device that transmitted the signal. A first subset of the signals is determined, where each signal in the first subset was received from a first user device. A first signal in the first subset is identified to classify as a begin signal based on a configuration associated with a first physical area, and a second signal in the first subset is identified to classify as an end signal based on the configuration associated with the first physical area. An amount of time that elapsed between receiving the begin signal and receiving the end signal is determined, and an estimated spatiotemporal measure is generated based at least in part on the determined first amount of time.

Abstract: In described examples, each node between adjacent capacitive elements of a stack of series-coupled capacitive elements is biased during a reset mode, where each of the capacitive elements includes piezoelectric material. A strain-induced voltage is generated across each of the capacitive elements. Each of the strain-induced voltages is combined to generate a piezoelectric-responsive output signal during a sensing mode at a time different from the time of the reset mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing the seeding of cancerous cells during morcellation of a tissue specimen inside a patient's body and removal of the tissue specimen from inside the patient through a minimally-invasive body opening to outside the patient are provided. One system includes a cut-resistant tissue guard removably insertable into a containment bag. The tissue specimen is isolated and contained within the containment bag and the guard is configured to protect the containment bag and surrounding tissue from incidental contact with sharp instrumentation used during morcellation and extraction of the tissue specimen. The guard is adjustable for easy insertion and removal and configured to securely anchor to the body opening. Protection-focused and containment-based systems for tissue removal are provided that enable minimally invasive procedures to be performed safely and efficiently.

Abstract: An automated method for generating a final setup for orthodontic treatment. The method includes receiving a digital 3D model of teeth in an initial state. The method computes a scoring function based upon metrics related to the initial state to generate a corresponding score, perturbs the state of the teeth through translations and rotations of a tooth or set of teeth to generate a perturbed state of the teeth, and updates the state of the teeth based upon the score and the perturbed state of the teeth to generate one or more final setups representing a final state of the teeth after the orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes a body extending from a first end to a second opposite end, with the body including an axial passage extending between the first and second ends. The axial passage includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, and a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns and less than a diameter of the buffer, the second diameter portion positioned between the first diameter and the second end. The axial passage further defines a tapered shape at the second end extending inward from the second end to the second diameter portion. A hub holds the ferrule. A method of assembling a terminated fiber optic cable is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing vehicular collision reconstruction and battery conservation for an electric or battery-powered vehicle. In various aspects, an indication of a trigger event may be detected from computer analysis of telematics data gathered by one or more sensors associated with a vehicle. The trigger event may be associated with a vehicle collision. A camera mounted on the vehicle may be activated, based upon the indication of the trigger event, to acquire an image of a second vehicle associated with the vehicle collision. Image data associated with the image may then be transmitted to a remote server computer for analysis of the image data, in which the remove server is capable of generating from the image data, a reconstruction of the vehicle collision, and determining, from the reconstruction of the vehicle collision, a cause of loss associated with the vehicle collision.

Abstract: A method of monitoring health of an oxygen concentrator assembly within an onboard oxygen generating system (OBOGS) operable to produce an oxygen enriched gas is provided. The OBOGS includes a controller, a plurality of molecular sieve beds for producing the oxygen enriched gas, and a mechanical system for selectively communicating an inlet air to a subset of the plurality of molecular sieve at a given time. The method includes monitoring the health of the overall OBOGS and the mechanical system to determine whether one or more of the molecular sieve beds and/or the oxygen concentrator assembly need to be serviced.

Abstract: A biosensor system determines an analyte concentration of a biological sample using an electrochemical process without Cottrell decay. The biosensor system generates an output signal having a transient decay, where the output signal is not inversely proportional to the square root of the time. The transient decay is greater or less than the ?0.5 decay constant of a Cottrell decay. The transient decay may result from a relatively short incubation period, relatively small sample reservoir volumes, relatively small distances between electrode surfaces and the lid of the sensor strip, and/or relatively short excitations in relation to the average initial thickness of the reagent layer. The biosensor system determines the analyte concentration from the output signal having a transient decay.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a power supply configured to output a DC waveform, a current or voltage source coupled to the power supply and a power converter coupled to the current or voltage source, the power converter including at least one power switching element and a power inductor having an inductance value during switching of the at least one power switching element. The electrosurgical generator further includes a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inducing circuit coupled to the power converter at a switching node, the ZVS inducing circuit including an inductor having an inductance which is greater than the inductance value of the power inductor of the at least one power switching element.

Abstract: Methods for replacing an impingement site of a shot sleeve with an erosion resistant material, for manufacturing a shot sleeve for high pressure die casting of Aluminum Silicon alloys having an erosion resistant material at an impingement site, and for manufacturing a shot sleeve for high pressure die casting of aluminum silicon alloys containing 0.40% max Fe, having an erosion resistant material at an impingement site are disclosed. The shot sleeve assembly includes a shot sleeve including a pouring hole and a, impingement site. In certain embodiments a bushing assembly is implemented. The impingement site or bushing assembly includes a refractory metal tube constructed of erosion resistant material.

Abstract: A sprinkler height adjustment mechanism is described that can be used to increase the height of a top cover and a top of the riser relative to the sprinkler body. The height adjustment mechanism is particularly useful for sprinklers with compartments having removable tops, however, a similar design can also be adapted for sprinklers without compartments (e.g., components that connect to a sprinkler flange or the sprinkler riser).