Abstract: A system includes an alignment system. The alignment system includes a first bladder configured to be positioned under a first component of a first gas turbine system. The alignment system further includes a first valve configured to adjust a first flow of fluid from a fluid source to the first bladder to expand the first bladder to adjust a position of the first component of the first gas turbine system.

Abstract: Articles and methods of manufacture of poly(vinyl chloride)-based substrates are described. The substrates may be utilized in various consumer, industrial, transportation, building and construction, and agricultural applications and may include reclaimed poly(vinyl chloride).

Abstract: Systems and methods allow a user to interact with an augmented reality device. In one implementation, a wearable device establishes a communication path with a user of the wearable device and at least one individual. The wearable device includes a display; at least one sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a viewing direction of the user; and at least one processing device. The at least one processing device is configured to monitor the viewing direction of the user based on the output of the at least one sensor; determine, based on the monitored viewing direction, whether the user is looking in the direction of the at least one individual; and establish the communication path between the user and the at least one individual if the user is determined to be looking in the direction of the at least one individual.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an upright body and a base carrying a suction nozzle that is pivotally coupled with the upright body for movement between at least a storage position and a reclined use position. A motor is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and is mounted in the upright body in a configuration that partially offsets the weight-in-hand of the upright assembly as perceived by a user of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a brush dowel defining an axis and having opposing bristle supports and a shroud surface between the opposing bristle supports, and a plurality of bristles protruding from the bristle supports. The shroud surface includes opposing convex curved surfaces extending between the bristle supports which intersect the shroud surface at outside corners.

Abstract: A system to digitally scan an object in three dimensions is disclosed. The system includes a server system, a memory system, a website and a scanner that scans an object and transfers any number of scanner data to the memory system, the scanner data resides on the digitally scan an object in three dimensions non-transitory storage media and includes any number of object dimensions such as length, width and height of the object, a three-dimensional object file and any number of raw video or any number of images of the object. The system includes a corresponding method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions and a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the method for digitally scanning an object in three dimensions.

Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine system and an aftertreatment system coupled to an exhaust outlet of the gas turbine system and configured to treat exhaust gases exiting the exhaust outlet. The aftertreatment system includes a cooling unit configured to cool the exhaust gases and a carbon dioxide (CO2) treatment unit coupled to the cooling unit and configured to treat cooled exhaust gases by reducing an amount of CO2 in the cooled exhaust gases with lithium hydroxide (LiOH). The aftertreatment system includes a LiOH supply unit coupled to the CO2 treatment unit and configured to feed LiOH into the CO2 treatment unit such that a reaction between LiOH and CO2 occurs inside the CO2 treatment unit to convert CO2 into lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and water (H2O). The aftertreatment system also includes a treated exhaust outlet coupled to the CO2 treatment unit and configured to discharge treated exhaust gases.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle defining a nozzle inlet, a manual nozzle height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the nozzle inlet relative to a surface to be cleaned, and a bleed valve fluidly connected to a working air path of the vacuum cleaner to selectively open to reduce suction at the nozzle inlet. The bleed valve is incorporated with the nozzle height adjustment assembly such that movement of the nozzle height adjustment assembly between different height settings will automatically open or close the bleed valve.

Abstract: A substrate and method for providing a thermoplastic composite having a fiberglass mat embedded within a thermoplastic polymer. The characteristics of the fiberglass mat combined with a thermal compression bonding method allow for a substantially improved and desirable thermal expansion coefficient over conventionally filled thermoplastic substrates or other fiberglass reinforced thermoplastics.

Abstract: A brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a brush dowel defining an axis and having opposing bristle supports and a shroud surface between the opposing bristle supports, and a plurality of bristles protruding from the bristle supports. The shroud surface is positioned relative to the bristles to minimize hair wrap.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying augmented reality (AR) content are disclosed. The AR device may include a display configured to display real-world content overlaid with AR content and at least one sensor configured to provide an output indicative of an orientation, location, or motion of the AR device. The system may also include a processor device configured to: cause the AR content to be shown on the display at an initial location on the display; determine a change in orientation of the AR device based on the output of the at least one sensor; and change a position of the AR content on the display to a second location on the display, wherein the change in position of the AR content from the initial location to the second location is related to the determined change in orientation of the AR device.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle defining a nozzle inlet, a manual nozzle height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the nozzle inlet relative to a surface to be cleaned, and a bleed valve fluidly connected to a working air path of the vacuum cleaner to selectively open to reduce suction at the nozzle inlet. The bleed valve is incorporated with the nozzle height adjustment assembly such that movement of the nozzle height adjustment assembly between different height settings will automatically open or close the bleed valve.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell including metallization techniques and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a first and second semiconductor regions can be formed in or above a substrate, where a separation region is disposed between the first and second semiconductor regions. A protective region can be formed over the separation region. A first metal layer can be formed over the substrate, where the protective region prevents and/or inhibits damage to the separation region during the formation of the first metal layer. Conductive contacts can be formed over the first and second semiconductor regions.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell including metallization techniques and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a first and second semiconductor regions can be formed in or above a substrate, where a separation region is disposed between the first and second semiconductor regions. A protective region can be formed over the separation region. A first metal layer can be formed over the substrate, where the protective region prevents and/or inhibits damage to the separation region during the formation of the first metal layer. Conductive contacts can be formed over the first and second semiconductor regions.

Abstract: Automated air freshener dispensers and cartridges therefor are provided herein. Air freshener dispensers include a housing having a cavity for receiving a cartridge containing an air freshening substance for release, a fan that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow, a motor for driving the fan, at least one sensor, and a controller that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying augmented reality (AR) content are disclosed. The AR device may include a display configured to display real-world content overlaid with AR content and at least one sensor configured to provide an output indicative of an orientation, location, or motion of the AR device. The system may also include a processor device configured to: cause the AR content to be shown on the display at an initial location on the display; determine a change in orientation of the AR device based on the output of the at least one sensor; and change a position of the AR content on the display to a second location on the display, wherein the change in position of the AR content from the initial location to the second location is related to the determined change in orientation of the AR device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for acquiring and tracking a satellite signal with an antenna. In one embodiment, the method comprises a) perturbing one or more of roll, pitch and yaw angles of an antenna orientation to create variant orientations associated with a first search pattern; b) computing new scan and polarization angles, in response to perturbed roll, pitch and yaw angles, for each of the variant orientations; c) receiving a radio-frequency (RF) signal from a satellite for each of the variant orientations; d) generating one or more receiver metrics representing a received RF signal associated with each of the variant orientations; e) selecting, as a new orientation, one of the variant orientations based on the one or more receiver metrics; and f) repeating a)-e) with the new orientation with a second search pattern narrower than the first search pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow a user to interact with an augmented reality device. In one implementation, a lockable, wearable device is provided. The wearable device comprises a display; at least one sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a viewing direction of a user; and at least one processing device. The at least one processing device is configured to track a pattern of the viewing direction of the user; and unlock the lockable, wearable device to provide the user with access to information on the display of the device when the tracked pattern of movement matches a predetermined pattern of movement.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle defining a nozzle inlet, a manual nozzle height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the nozzle inlet relative to a surface to be cleaned, and a bleed valve fluidly connected to a working air path of the vacuum cleaner to selectively open to reduce suction at the nozzle inlet. The bleed valve is incorporated with the nozzle height adjustment assembly such that movement of the nozzle height adjustment assembly between different height settings will automatically open or close the bleed valve.

Abstract: Automated air freshener dispensers and cartridges therefor are provided herein. Air freshener dispensers include a housing having a cavity for receiving a cartridge containing an air freshening substance for release, a fan that induces an airflow through the housing and directs the airflow to an area outside of the air freshener dispenser, such that released air freshening substance is entrained in the airflow, a motor for driving the fan, at least one sensor, and a controller that receives a signal from the at least one sensor and directs operation of the fan in response thereto.