Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to enclosures, such as, electrical enclosures, for example, explosion-proof enclosures, and including advantageous features and methods usable with such enclosures. Disclosed features and techniques relate to: an enclosure fastening device; a visual indicator; an enclosure handling assist arrangement; a control handle; and a reset controller.

Abstract: An aerosol source for an electronic vapor provision system includes a heating element; an atomizing chamber; a reservoir for holding free-flowing source liquid; and a porous wick extending from the atomizing chamber to the reservoir and comprising a heater portion in cooperation with the heating element within the atomizing chamber and at least one liquid collecting portion within the reservoir, the liquid collecting portion having a maximum cross-sectional parameter that is greater than an equivalent cross-sectional parameter of the heater portion.

Abstract: A method and communication system has been developed to increase the number of messages sent over a bandwidth limited channel and/or under noisy conditions by using a variable message length encoding and decoding scheme. With this technique, the messages having a higher probability of being sent are shorter as compared to the messages that are less likely to be sent under the current conditions. With this technique, a higher number of transactions per unit of time can be communicated and/or executed over a given bandwidth limited channel. When the transmitted message is received, the receiver does not know the message length, but the receiver deduces the length by using information from various error detection and correction techniques, such as forward error correction (FEC) and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) techniques.

Abstract: An equalization method has been developed for low latency, low bandwidth wireless communication channel environments. With this method, an exact copy, nearly exact copy, or some facsimile of a message (or associated information), which was transmitted via a low latency, low bandwidth wireless communication channel, is also sent via a backend communication channel such as a fiber optic network. Equalization is generally performed by comparing the originally received message to the copy sent via the backend channel. The original message can incorporate an added channel delay to compensate for the time delay between the primary wireless channel and the backend channel.

Abstract: High-connection density and bandwidth fiber optic apparatuses and related equipment and methods are disclosed. In certain embodiments, fiber optic apparatuses are provided and comprise a chassis defining one or more U space fiber optic equipment units. At least one of the one or more U space fiber optic equipment units may be configured to support particular fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths in a given 1-U space. The fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths may be supported by one or more fiber optic components, including but not limited to fiber optic adapters and fiber optic connectors, including but not limited to simplex, duplex, and other multi-fiber fiber optic components. The fiber optic components may also be disposed in fiber optic modules, fiber optic patch panels, or other types of fiber optic equipment.

Abstract: An antenna array that utilizes ground guard rings and metamaterial structures is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the antenna array is constructed from a plurality of antenna unit cells, wherein each antenna unit cell is identical. The antenna unit cell comprises a top surface, that contains a patch antenna and a ground guard ring. A reactive impedance surface (RIS) layer is disposed beneath the top surface and contains the metamaterial structures. The metamaterial structures are configured to present an inductance to the patch antennas, thereby allowing the patch antennas to be smaller than would otherwise be possible. In some embodiments, the metamaterial structures comprise hollow square frames. An antenna array constructed using this antenna unit cell has less coupling than conventional antenna arrays, which results in better performance. Furthermore, this new antenna array also requires less space than conventional antenna arrays.

Abstract: A chess-based game system which is a novel variation of traditional chess, includes a unique gameboard, and a new “Jester” game piece, in addition to the pieces of traditional chess. Furthermore, the disclosed system game rules provide for unique moves and a variable initial setup of the game pieces.

Abstract: A communication method is configured to increase speed of messages reception over a bandwidth limited channel such as high frequency (HF) radio. User data arriving from a high-speed network is transformed into a format suitable for transmission over the radio channel. Message packets that will take longer to reach a destination via the radio channel as compared to alternative channels, such as a fiber optic network, are rejected for radio transmission. When the packet is received, the receiver deduces message length by using information from various error handling techniques, such as forward error correction (FEC) and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) techniques. Fill data is transmitted between message packets when no data is available. The FEC and CRC information for the fill data is modified so that the fill data will fail FEC and CRC checks at the receiving station.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vaporizer assembly for use in a vapor provision system, wherein the vaporizer assembly includes a liquid transport element formed from cotton; and a heating element comprising a coil of resistive wire around a portion of the liquid transport element, wherein the heating element has an electrical resistance of between 1.3 ohms and 1.5 ohms.

Abstract: A transaction terminal provides processing for payment using a cryptocurrency during a transaction being conducted at the transaction terminal. The transaction terminal further provides processing for a refund transaction utilizing cryptocurrency.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for exchanging electrode tips, e.g., electrode tips used in resistance spot welding, and disposing of used/unusable electrode tips. Used/unusable electrode tips may be collected, e.g., while within an assembly line. Such used/unusable electrode tips may be routed to a receptacle(s) reside outside the assembly line. Accordingly, disposing or removing of the used/unusable electrode tips can be accomplished without stopping the assembly line, and decreasing any chance for safety events.

Abstract: An automated marking system for replaceable component tracking includes a robotic arm and a marking tool that is configured to place a distinguishing mark on a replaceable component of the robotic arm. A control system includes logic saved in memory that causes the robotic arm to move the replaceable component to the marking tool to place the distinguishing mark on the replaceable component.

Abstract: A deck for a treadmill includes a continuous belt, and a plurality of rollers engaging the continuous belt. The continuous belt and rollers at least partly define cavity of the deck. The deck also includes a first motor configured to modify a position of the deck relative to a support surface on which the deck is supported, and a second motor configured to modify a speed of rotation of the track. The first motor and the second motor are disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A system comprising an aerosol provision cartridge, a body to which the cartridge is attachable, and a tool. The cartridge comprises a refillable chamber for aerosolizable material, the chamber comprising an opening for the insertion of aerosolizable material into the chamber, wherein the cartridge further comprises a closure means for preventing access to the opening, wherein the closure means is moveable from a first position in which access to the opening is prevented, and a second position in which access to the opening is possible, wherein the cartridge is configured such that movement of the closure means between the first position and the second position requires use of the tool. At least one of the body and the cartridge may comprise a compartment for storing the tool, wherein the tool is removable from the compartment.

Abstract: A system and method for one-way ranging is disclosed. The system comprises a transmitter, also referred to as tag, transmitting a packet having a first frequency. The receiver, also referred to as the locator, receives the first frequency and measures the phase at a specific point in time. At a predetermined time, the transmitter switches to a second frequency. This is performed while maintaining phase continuity. The receiver also switches to the second frequency at nearly the same time. The receiver then measures the phase of the second frequency at a second point in time. Based on these two phase measurements, the distance between the transmitter and the receiver may be calculated.

Abstract: A steering system for a hydrofoil watercraft, wherein a user may ride in a seated, prone, kneeling, or standing position while steering the watercraft without the use of his or her bodyweight. Vertical elevation, left and right roll, and longitudinal direction control of the watercraft is accomplished via steering, resulting in movement of the control surfaces (fins) on the hydrofoil, thus eliminating the need for weight shifting on the flotation device. An electronic remote and/or mounted joystick steering system can be operated either electronically or through direct mechanical linkage to control the direction of the watercraft. The steering system can include an unmanned remote controlled drone hydrofoil watercraft that can be operated remotely.

Abstract: An interconnect system is provided that involves pre-installing a connector housing an optical connector in an adapter and a ferrule of the same optical connector on a cable. The ferrule terminates one or more groups of optical fibers, and a ferrule push component is also pre-installed on the same group(s) of optical fibers. The connector housing is configured to receive and retain the ferrule and ferrule push component without being removed from the adapter to simultaneously form the optical connector and install the optical connector in the adapter. Embodiments such an interconnect system involving high fiber-count cables and related installation methods involving many optical connections are disclosed.

Abstract: A gear shifting technique has been developed in which modulation and equalization are shifted to achieve optional performance. In one form, two or more equalizers, each associated with a demodulator and message decoder, determine if the modulation being used can be increased in complexity in order to increase the channel throughput or determine if the modulation method should be reduced in complexity in order to improve the receiver error performance. The quality metrics can based on which equalizer-demodulator-decoder is set to first detect a valid message. Other factors can be considered with this technique such as a packet-error ratio and a signal-to-noise ratio. In a financial trading system, message erasures can be favored over errored messages by limiting the number of bit or symbol corrections permitted per message to less than the maximum possible for the selected decoding schemes.

Abstract: An antenna array that utilizes ground guard rings and metamaterial structures is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the antenna array is constructed from a plurality of antenna unit cells, wherein each antenna unit cell is identical. The antenna unit cell comprises a top surface, that contains a patch antenna and a ground guard ring. A reactive impedance surface (RIS) layer is disposed beneath the top surface and contains the metamaterial structures. The metamaterial structures are configured to present an inductance to the patch antennas, thereby allowing the patch antennas to be smaller than would otherwise be possible. In some embodiments, the metamaterial structures comprise hollow square frames. An antenna array constructed using this antenna unit cell has less coupling than conventional antenna arrays, which results in better performance. A ground skirt surrounds the perimeter of the antenna array to improve radiation phase pattern balance within the array.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having an AoX antenna array and a feeding circuit is disclosed. The AoX antenna array has patch antenna disposed on a top layer of the printed circuit board, while the feeding circuit is disposed on the bottom layer. The signal traces that connect the ports of the antenna unit cells to the antenna selection switches are routed so that all are roughly equal in length with a minimal length of parallel sections between signal traces. Thus, the signal traces in the feeding circuit are created so as to minimize phase difference between signal traces and to minimize coupling. Coplanar waveguides, which utilize blind vias are used to further reduce coupling.