Abstract: A fan brake system for controlling an industrial fan system, the fan brake system including a fan brake having a brake pad movable on the fan brake to selectively engage the fan system. An actuator including a motor can be operable to cause the fan brake to perform a braking procedure on the fan system to resist rotational movement of the fan system. A controller can be communicated with the actuator, the controller operable to selectively cause the actuator and the fan brake to perform the braking procedure, wherein the controller is operable to monitor and control power being supplied to the motor of the actuator during the braking procedure to maintain a torque output of the motor according to a predetermined torque profile during the braking procedure.

Abstract: An inserter assembly (200) for deploying an intravesical device into a urinary bladder of a patient includes a placement catheter (210), a receiving funnel (220), and a stylet (230). The placement catheter defines a lumen extending from a proximal catheter end to an exit opening. The receiving funnel is secured to the placement catheter. The stylet is removably received through the receiving funnel within the lumen. The stylet includes a stylet body and a paddle (238). The stylet body is dimensioned to drive the intravesical device through the lumen and the exit opening into the bladder. The paddle is fixed to the stylet body about the proximal stylet end and is engageable with the receiving funnel. The paddle optionally includes a fitting (242) being lockably engageable with the receiving funnel to removably secure the stylet to the placement catheter.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an air conditioning system, a motorized directional air flow control feature, a display, and a controller configured to initiate a variable air flow routine. Initiation of the variable air flow routine prompts execution of a predetermined actuation sequence of the motorized directional air flow control feature such that the direction of air flowing from the air conditioning system into a cabin of the vehicle is varied sequentially by the motorized directional air flow control feature. Initiation of the variable air flow routine further prompts the display to display an air flow graphic having a directional quality that corresponds with the orientation of the motorized directional air flow control feature such that the directional quality of the air flow graphic varies sequentially with the direction of the air flowing from the air conditioning system.

Abstract: A fuel theft prevention system for a vehicle including: at least one processor; and a memory, operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: receive, from a first sensing system, first activity data; determine, based on the first activity data, a first confidence value indicative of whether the activity is suspicious; receive fuel data indicative of a fuel level in the fuel tank; and cause, based on the first activity data and the fuel data, at least one mitigation action to be taken when the fuel level decreases by a threshold amount, wherein the threshold amount includes a first amount when the first confidence value is a first value and a second amount when the first confidence value is below the first value, and wherein the second amount is greater than the first amount.

Abstract: A selectively driven delivery device for conveyance and off-loading of decorative articles in rolled form.

Abstract: A firearm system is provided. A pump-action firearm, such as a shotgun, includes a buffer attached to a trigger housing. The buffer consists of a resilient or semi-resilient material and is positioned such as to face towards an opening the receiver in which the magazine tube is partially received. The buffer includes a contoured bottom surface and an upper surface, configured in a way which shortens the space available within an opening of a receiver while accommodating the loading of shells into a magazine tube. Upon moving a shell into the opening, such as by pumping the action, the shell impacts the buffer, which stabilizes the shell prior to being lifted by an elevators. For shorter shells, this reduces the risk of a jamming event. For longer shells, the buffer is configured to compress to accommodate the additional length.

Abstract: A lab automation robot includes a base, a tower rotatably coupled to the base, an arm translatable relative to the tower, a forearm rotatably coupled to the arm, and a wrist assembly rotatably coupled to the forearm about a wrist joint. The wrist assembly includes an end effector including a first magnet, a cap including a second magnet, a gripper pivotably coupled to the end effector, a linear actuator carried by the gripper, and a sensor carried by the gripper. The linear actuator adjusts a position of the gripper relative to the end effector. The linear actuator is coupled to the cap. The sensor detects an orientation of the gripper relative to the end effector. In response to the first and second magnets decoupling, the sensor detects an orientation of the gripper relative to the end effector outside of a predetermined operational range and terminate operation of the linear actuator.

Abstract: A children's toy, and electronic device, plays audio files and projects differently-colored light patterns onto a surface in a room in which the device is placed. The light patterns are projected in synchronization with the playback of such audio files. The device allows users to select from different nature sounds, different melodies, or multiple pre-recorded children's stories. The device also enables users to record their own stories for each of several environments, and playback their custom stories together with projections of light in each environment.

Abstract: An antimicrobial switch panel (ASP) system/method allowing for retrofit of existing switch panels with protective antimicrobial covers for toggle switch levers is disclosed. The disclosed system incorporates a toggle switch cover (TSC) formed from a plastic molded extrusion (PME) that is impregnated with an antimicrobial compound (AMC). The PME includes an outer tactile surface (OTS) and an inner capture recess (ICR). The ICR is configured to conform to the outer surface of a toggle switch (TSW) toggle switch lever (TSL) and includes one or surfaces more configured with protrusions and/or indentations that affect mechanical coupling between the TSL and the PME when the ICR is mated with the TSL. The OTS may be configured with a variety of tactile configurations that identify the function of the TSW and/or include a PME colorant that identifies the function of the TSW and/or provide for photoluminescent operation of the PME.

Abstract: A method of rendering a virtual environment is disclosed. First application data is received. The first application data includes first graph data. The first graph data corresponds to a first state of an application. Second application data is received after the first application data. The second application data corresponds to a second state of the application. The first application data and the second application data are analyzed to determine a change in the first graph data associated with the second application data. An island subgraph within the first graph data that includes the change is determined. Second graph data is generated for the second state. The generating of the second graph data includes partially reconstructing the first graph data. The partial reconstructing includes rebuilding the determined island subgraph. The generated second graph data is communicated for rendering of the virtual environment in the second state.

Abstract: A method of rendering a virtual environment is disclosed. First application data is received. The first application data includes first graph data. The first graph data corresponds to a first state of an application. Second application data is received after the first application data. The second application data corresponds to a second state of the application. The first application data and the second application data are analyzed to determine a change in the first graph data associated with the second application data. An island subgraph within the first graph data that includes the change is determined. Second graph data is generated for the second state. The generating of the second graph data includes partially reconstructing the first graph data. The partial reconstructing includes rebuilding the determined island subgraph. The generated second graph data is communicated for rendering of the virtual environment in the second state.

Abstract: A faucet handle assembly includes a mounting shank configured to be mounted to a mounting deck. A valve assembly is received within an internal chamber of the mounting shank, and the valve assembly includes a valve stem that is rotatable about a rotation axis to facilitate water flow through the valve assembly. The valve assembly further includes a valve stem adapter that is operably coupled to the valve stem. The faucet handle assembly further includes an upper handle. The upper handle includes a lever that is coupled to the valve stem adapter and the valve stem, and the lever is disposed on a first side of the rotation axis. The upper handle further includes a cover that is coupled to the valve stem adapter and disposed on an opposite second side of the rotation axis. The cover and the lever together obscure the valve stem adapter.

Abstract: A faucet handle assembly configured to properly align a faucet handle relative to a valve assembly. A handle bushing includes an alignment rib received within an alignment slot of the faucet handle. The handle and the handle bushing are operably coupled together by engagement of a flexible tab of the handle bushing with an inner surface of the handle.

Abstract: An automated laboratory system includes a storage system including a frame and a platform slidably mounted to the frame such that the platform is slidable relative to the frame between a docked position and an undocked position, the platform being configured to carry an instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the storage system and being configured to access the instrument carried by the platform. Another automated laboratory system includes a storage system including a table and a tabletop having a central axis and being rotatably positioned on the table such that the tabletop is rotatable about the central axis between a docked position and an undocked position, the tabletop being configured to carry an instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the storage system and being configured to access the instrument carried by the tabletop.

Abstract: A network element is described herein. The network element comprises an embedded device having a processor; a communication device; a first memory having a first firmware; and a second memory having a boot data, a first system partition, a second system partition, a download partition, and a data partition, the second memory storing a software application having software components and a processing sequence comprising first computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to: store an update package in the download partition, the update package comprising second computer-executable instructions and a firmware package having a firmware update; install the update package to the second system partition; update the first firmware with the firmware update; reload the first firmware; mark the second system partition as an active partition; and reboot into the active partition.

Abstract: A storage assembly includes top and bottom walls, a pair of end walls extending between the top and bottom walls and cooperating with the top and bottom walls to define an interior space, and at least one end surface configured to closely interfit with at least one end surface of an adjacent storage assembly that is substantially similar to the storage assembly at a predefined angular orientation such that a longitudinal axis of the storage assembly is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the adjacent storage assembly when the at least one end surface of the storage assembly is interfit with the at least one surface of the adjacent storage assembly The storage assembly may also include a pair of interior walls and a handle relief extending into the top wall and/or a frame assembly located between one of the end walls and one of the interior walls.