Abstract: A dielectric substrate may support conductive traces that form windings for a least one pole of a planar armature of an axial flux machine. At least a portion of the dielectric substrate, which is adapted to be positioned within an annular active area of the axial flux machine, may include a soft magnetic material. Such a planar armature may be produced, for example, by forming the conductive traces on the dielectric substrate, and filling interstitial gaps between the conductive traces with at least one epoxy material in which the soft magnetic material is embedded.

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: The present disclosure relates to analyzing data related to smart home activity that is useful to risk analysis, service cost determination/adjustment, and behavioral incentivization. A monitoring system may acquire maintenance information, contextual information, and/or financial information with minimal user input to assess risk associated with user behavior and home activity associated with a smart home. Based on generating a risk factor associated with the smart home, the monitoring system may provide a user with an accurate service cost (e.g., home insurance quote) related to the smart home activity.

Abstract: A secret is sliced into a number of encrypted slices. The encrypted slices can be distributed amongst members of a group. The encrypted slices make recovery of the secret possible, but a group authority key is required for decryption. Thus, a number of slices are necessary, but still not sufficient, to recover the secret.

Abstract: A vehicle exterior air guiding device that includes: a fixed part intended to be attached to a motor vehicle, a movable part, at least one connecting mechanism allowing a movement of the movable part between a stowed position and a deployed position, and for each connecting mechanism, an assembling device having a link bar extending along a bar axis, the link bar being inserted in at least one opening defined in the movable part and in at least one opening defined in the connecting mechanism. The assembling device includes one fastening element extending along a fastening axis and locking the link bar in position, the bar axis and the fastening axis extending in different directions.

Abstract: A method of operating a distributed storage system, the method includes identifying missing chunks of a file. The file is divided into stripes that include data chunks and non-data chunks. The method also includes identifying non-missing chunks available for reconstructing the missing chunks and reconstructing missing data chunks before reconstructing missing non-data chunks using the available non-missing chunks.

Abstract: A method of distributing data in a distributed storage system includes receiving a file, dividing the received file into chunks, and determining a distribution of the chunks among storage devices of the distributed storage system based on a maintenance hierarchy of the distributed storage system. The maintenance hierarchy includes maintenance levels, and each maintenance level includes one or more maintenance units. Each maintenance unit has an active state and an inactive state. Moreover, each storage device is associated with a maintenance unit. The determining of the distribution of the chunks includes identifying a random selection of the storage devices matching a number of chunks of the file and being capable of maintaining accessibility of the file when one or more maintenance units are in an inactive state. The method also includes distributing the chunks to storage devices of the distributed storage system according to the determined distribution.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to connecting devices and systems for constructing a structure. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a connector device and system useful for joining structural elements together for constructing a roof on a building. The present disclosure provides embodiments of connectors which are used to secure roof purlins to rafters and/or trusses to enhance the structural integrity of the roof.

Abstract: A system includes an authenticated encryption layer comprising logic configured to encrypt data received at the authenticated encryption layer from an authorized application at a source node. The data is encrypted using a first key to obtain first encrypted data. The logic is configured to encrypt the first encrypted data using a second key to obtain second encrypted data and generate a watermark for the first encrypted data and/or a watermark for the second encrypted data. The logic is configured to generate a watermark token for the first encrypted data and/or a watermark token for the second encrypted data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for methods that can improve techniques nucleic acid analysis, and can allow for more reliable and accurate targeted, multiplexed, high throughput sequencing. The methods, compositions, and kits can be used for sequencing target loci of nucleic acid. The methods, compositions, and kits disclosed herein can be used for assisted de novo targeted sequencing. The methods, compositions, and kits disclosed herein can also be used for library labeling for de novo sequencing and phasing.

Abstract: A system includes a navigation apparatus and controller. The navigation apparatus includes a body assembly that includes a plurality of pneumatic or artificial muscles that are configured to interact with a sidewall of the conduit and move the body assembly through the conduit. The plurality of pneumatic or artificial muscles are independently actuated to steer the body assembly. The navigation apparatus also includes a sensor array coupled to the body assembly. The sensor array is positioned to interact with the sidewall of the conduit and provide signals as the body assembly moves through the interior cavity. The controller is communicatively coupled to the sensor array and configured to determine a characteristic of the conduit based on the signals provided by the sensor array.

Abstract: A system for coating reinforcing fiber of a composite component is provided, The system includes a frame including at least one contact location for contacting the reinforcing fiber and a movement mechanism including an actuator. The movement mechanism is operably coupled to the frame to induce movement of the reinforcing fiber relative to the frame. Methods are also provided for coating such a fiber.

Abstract: Frame for use in coating a reinforcing fiber are provided. The frame includes a first frame end having a first cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape has one or more contact locations that are spaced apart from each other. The reinforcing fiber contacts the first frame end at the one or more contact locations. Methods are also provided for coating such a fiber.

Abstract: A method of texturing a wall or ceiling with non-acoustical joint compound by providing a collapsible bag having an opening at its top and is adapted to contain non-acoustical joint compound for forming a textured coating on the wall or ceiling and providing a spray nozzle having a low pressure input port, a joint compound suction port attached to the opening at the top of the collapsible bag, and an output port for spraying the non-acoustical joint compound. A low pressure stream of air from an air gun attached to the low pressure input port urges a small quantity of the non-acoustical joint compound to be sprayed out of the spray nozzle when the bottom of the collapsible disposable bag is raised above its top to either allow or force the joint compound to flow into the suction port and into the interior of the spray nozzle.

Abstract: Systems for producing articles from glass tube include a converter having a base with a plurality of processing stations and a turret moveable relative to the base. The turret indexes a plurality of holders for holding the glass tubes successively through the processing stations. The systems further include a gas flow system or a suction system for producing a flow of gas through the glass tube during one or more heating, forming, separating or piercing operations. The flow of gas through the glass tube produced by the gas flow system or suction system may be sufficient to evacuate or purge volatile constituents of the glass from the glass tube and/or pierce a meniscus formed on the glass tube during separation, thereby reducing the Surface Hydrolytic Response (SHR) of the interior surface of the glass tube and articles made therefrom.

Abstract: A method of operating a distributed storage system, the method includes identifying missing chunks of a file. The file is divided into stripes that include data chunks and non-data chunks. The method also includes identifying non-missing chunks available for reconstructing the missing chunks and reconstructing missing data chunks before reconstructing missing non-data chunks using the available non-missing chunks.

Abstract: A computer-aided design (CAD) system may support anti-constraint configuration and enforcement for CAD models that represent physical objects. Anti-constraints may specify given constraints not to be applied for components of the CAD model, and the CAD system may update components of the CAD model without applying the constraints specified in anti-constraints applicable to the CAD model components.

Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus is provided, which can include any number of features. The method can include the steps of inserting a uterine device into the uterus and performing a uterine integrity test to determine that the uterus is intact and not perforated. If it is determined that the uterus is not perforated, a patency test can be performed to determine that the uterine device is not clogged or embedded in tissue. If the uterus is intact and the device is not clogged or embedded in tissue, the uterus can be treated with the uterine device, e.g., uterine ablation. Systems for performing these methods are also disclosed.