Abstract: Described are systems and processes for generating dynamic effort-based delivery value predictions for real-time delivery of perishable goods. In one aspect, a system is configured for generating dynamic delivery value predictions for delivery opportunities provided to couriers. For each order, delivery events and corresponding timestamps are received from devices operated by customers, restaurants, and couriers. Based on the timestamps, the system generates a predicted delivery duration with trained predictive models that use weighted factors such as order data and historical restaurant data. A service value for the delivery of the order is determined based the predicted delivery duration and a predetermined active time value. The service value is then transmitted along with the corresponding delivery opportunity to a user device of a courier. The determined service values may be adjusted based on courier acceptance rates of delivery opportunities and other factors such as customer experience.

Abstract: A heating system includes a structure to be heated, and a heating apparatus disposed to heat the structure. The heating apparatus includes a housing member, a plurality of resonant frequency power sources, and a plurality of associated controls. The plurality of resonant frequency power sources are attached to the housing member. The plurality of associated controllers is configured to separately operate the plurality of resonant frequency power sources at resonant frequencies matching heating requirements of the structure.

Abstract: A system for inductively heating a workpiece may include an induction coil, at least one susceptor face sheet, and a current controller coupled. The induction coil may be configured to conduct an alternating current and generate a magnetic field in response to the alternating current. The susceptor face sheet may be configured to have a workpiece positioned therewith. The susceptor face sheet may be formed of a ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature and being inductively heatable to an equilibrium temperature approaching the Curie temperature in response to the magnetic field. The current controller may be coupled to the induction coil and may be configured to adjust the alternating current in a manner causing a change in at least one heating parameter of the susceptor face sheet.

Abstract: Described are systems and processes for generating dynamic estimated time of arrival predictive updates for delivery of perishable goods. In one aspect a system is configured for generating dynamic estimated time of arrival (ETA) predictive updates between a series of successive events for real-time delivery of orders. For each order, a plurality of delivery events and corresponding timestamps are received from devices operated by customers, restaurants, and couriers. Based on the timestamps, the system generates a plurality of ETA time predictions for one or more of the delivery events with trained predictive models that use weighted factors including historical restaurant data and historical courier performance. As additional timestamps are received for a delivery event, the trained predictive models dynamically update the ETA time predictions for successive events. The predictive models may be continuously trained by updating the weighted factors based on the received timestamps.

Abstract: A starter board for a wall cladding system includes a core member and a laminate. The core member defines a board profile portion including parallel, planar base and outer surfaces defining a uniform thickness, the base surface extending from a first lateral surface to a second lateral surface, and a supporting flange portion extending outward from the planar outer surface, at the second lateral surface, to an outer surface of the flange portion. The laminate includes a reinforcing mesh and a basecoat layer covering the reinforcing mesh, and covers the second lateral surface of the board profile portion, the inner and outer lateral surfaces of the supporting flange portion, the outer surface of the supporting flange portion, and portions of the base and outer surfaces of the board profile portion proximate the supporting flange portion.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for improving posture while sitting, having a foundation member including a front portion for upper legs and a bowl portion for lower pelvic area. The bowl portion has a central portion and an upwardly inclined lateral portion. The lateral portion and the front portion collectively surround the central portion. A channel attachment is connected with one or more pelvic crest portions. The channel attachment portion connects over a concave recessed portion. The central portion has plural regions of varying flexibility and the lateral portion has plural regions of varying flexibility.

Abstract: Methods and systems for restricting movement in a flow mixer of an exhaust duct, the flow mixer having a first row of flutes and a second row of flutes generally opposite to the first row of flutes, each flute being elongated and defining an elongated axis. At least two flute ties connect, or couple, together at least two flutes from the first row of flutes and at least two flutes from the second row of flutes. A retainer is coupled to the flute ties and extends generally perpendicularly to the elongated axis of each of the flutes from the first and second rows of flutes. The combination of the retainer and flute ties is configured to generally restrain relative movement between the flutes from the first row and the flutes from the second row.

Abstract: A method for processing core wheels is disclosed. Images of known wheels having unique identifying numbers and other wheel information is received from third party providers and are processed to determine the features of the known wheels. These images, features and other wheel information are stored in a database for future reference. A supply of core wheels is then provided and sorted in order to separate at least a first portion of the wheels conforming to a first set of criteria from the supply of wheels and are transported to second location.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for improving posture while sitting, having a foundation member including a front portion for upper legs and a bowl portion for lower pelvic area. The bowl portion has a central portion and an upwardly inclined lateral portion. The lateral portion and the front portion collectively surround the central portion. A channel attachment is connected with one or more pelvic crest portions. The channel attachment portion connects over a concave recessed portion. The central portion has plural regions of varying flexibility and the lateral portion has plural regions of varying flexibility.

Abstract: A system for mitigating radio frequency interference includes a multiple patch antenna array including a multiplicity of patch antenna elements. The multiple patch antenna array is positioned relative to an interfering antenna such that signals from the interfering antenna cause interference with the multiple patch antenna array. The system also includes an auxiliary antenna positioned relative to the multiple patch antenna array. The system additionally includes a device to generate a spatial null in a direction to the interfering antenna from the multiple patch antenna array in response to a first signal from the auxiliary antenna and a second signal from the multiple patch antenna array. The first signal and the second signal are generated in response to a transmitted signal being received by the auxiliary antenna and the multiple patch antenna array. The spatial null permits simultaneous operation of the multiple patch antenna array and the interfering antenna.

Abstract: A starter board for a wall cladding system includes a core member and a laminate. The core member defines a board profile portion including parallel, planar base and outer surfaces defining a uniform thickness, the base surface extending from a first lateral surface to a second lateral surface, and a supporting flange portion extending outward from the planar outer surface, at the second lateral surface, to an outer surface of the flange portion. The laminate includes a reinforcing mesh and a basecoat layer covering the reinforcing mesh, and covers the second lateral surface of the board profile portion, the inner and outer lateral surfaces of the supporting flange portion, the outer surface of the supporting flange portion, and portions of the base and outer surfaces of the board profile portion proximate the supporting flange portion.

Abstract: A method for detecting and removing spoofing signals may include receiving, by a navigation or communications device, a radio frequency (RF) signal and performing an anti-spoofing assessment to detect a presence of a spoofing signal associated with the RF signal. The method may additionally include generating a replica of the spoofing signal in response to the spoofing signal being detected and subtracting the replica of the spoofing signal from the RF signal to provide a residual non-spoofed signal. The method may further include decoding the residual non-spoofed signal by the navigation or communications device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for restricting movement in a flow mixer of an exhaust duct, the flow mixer having a first row of flutes and a second row of flutes generally opposite to the first row of flutes, each flute being elongated and defining an elongated axis. At least two flute ties connect, or couple, together at least two flutes from the first row of flutes and at least two flutes from the second row of flutes. A retainer is coupled to the flute ties and extends generally perpendicularly to the elongated axis of each of the flutes from the first and second rows of flutes. The combination of the retainer and flute ties is configured to generally restrain relative movement between the flutes from the first row and the flutes from the second row.

Abstract: A part is inductively heated by multiple, self-regulating induction coil circuits having susceptors, coupled together in parallel and in series with an AC power supply. Each of the circuits includes a tuning capacitor that tunes the circuit to resonate at the frequency of AC power supply.

Abstract: A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member and a laminate adhered to the core member. The core member and the laminate together define a brick profile portion having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, an offset portion extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, and a rectangular base surface extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion. The laminate covers the core member to define the first and second lateral sides and the outer surface of the brick profile portion, and the lateral end surface and the outer surface of the offset portion, and the core member is uncovered by the laminate on the base surface such that the core member defines the base surface.

Abstract: Thermoplastic welding apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example method includes providing a smart susceptor between composite parts that are to be joined via thermoplastic welding. The example method includes positioning the composite parts and the smart susceptor on a tooling surface within a cavity of a tooling apparatus and applying a seal to the composite parts and the tooling surface to form a vacuum chamber between the composite parts and the tooling surface at a welding joint of the composite parts; producing a magnetic field at the welding joint. The example method includes providing a vacuum in the vacuum chamber during a welding operation.

Abstract: A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member, a mesh layer adhered to the core member, a basecoat layer covering an entirety of the mesh layer, and a finish layer covering an entirety of the basecoat layer. The core member, the mesh layer, the basecoat layer, and the finish layer together define a brick profile portion having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, and an offset portion extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, the brick profile portion and the offset portion together defining a planar rectangular base surface extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion.

Abstract: A method for detecting and processing signals may include receiving a weak radio frequency (RF) signal by an array of antennas. The method may also include digitally sampling the weak RF signal from each antenna of the array of antennas and storing the digital samples of the weak RF signal from each antenna. The method may additionally include detecting a presence of the weak RF signal. Detecting the presence of the weak RF signal may include determining a correlation between the weak RF signal received by each of the antennas of the array of antennas using the digital samples of the weak RF signal from each antenna.

Abstract: A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member, a mesh layer adhered to the core member, a basecoat layer covering an entirety of the mesh layer, and a finish layer covering an entirety of the basecoat layer. The core member, the mesh layer, the basecoat layer, and the finish layer together define a brick profile portion having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, and an offset portion extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, the brick profile portion and the offset portion together defining a planar rectangular base surface extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion.