Abstract: A shape-morphing fin includes a fixed portion, a multistable portion, a coupling portion, and a vibration source. The multistable portion functions as a negative stiffness element. The multistable portion is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The movement between first position and the second position is configured to remove the ice formation from the structure. The coupling portion couples the fixed portion to the multistable portion. The vibration source is configured to produce a resonant vibration to engage the movement of the multistable portion from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Processes, catalysts and systems for preparing a composition comprising aliphatic, olefinic, cyclic and/or aromatic hydrocarbons of seven or greater carbon atoms per molecule are provided.

Abstract: A shape-morphing fin includes a fixed portion, a multistable portion, a coupling portion, and a vibration source. The multistable portion functions as a negative stiffness element. The multistable portion is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The movement between first position and the second position is configured to remove the ice formation from the structure. The coupling portion couples the fixed portion to the multistable portion. The vibration source is configured to produce a resonant vibration to engage the movement of the multistable portion from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A system for measuring oil circulation ratio in a vapor-compression refrigeration system (VCRS) is provided. The system may include an oil separator configured to receive the refrigerant and oil flow from the low-pressure line of the VCRS and output a oil flow and a refrigerant flow. The system may further include an oil collector configured to receive the separated oil flow provided by the oil separator. A valve may control an oil flow from the oil collector to the low-pressure line. A level sensor may measure oil level in the oil collector. The system may close, in response to the oil being at or less than a first level, the valve to collect oil in the oil collector. The system may open, in response to the oil being at or greater than a second level, the valve to release oil from the oil collector to the low-pressure line.

Abstract: Ambulatory modular infusion pump systems are provided, including a housing having a housing front and a housing back, a controller coupled to the housing front, and one or more pump modules disposed within the housing. Each pump module includes a door assembly including a door having a door securement, a channel housing, a cartridge gasket, at least one sensor, a plurality of pump fingers, a frame assembly and a motor. One or more button assemblies are disposed on the housing front, each button assembly having a button disposed adjacent a corresponding pump module and configured to release the door of the corresponding pump module when the button is moved to a release position. Methods of single handed operation of and configuration of ambulatory modular infusion pump systems are also provided.

Abstract: A passenger restraint system of a vehicle includes a passenger restraint article with an interface, and a locking device that secures the interface. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a vertical channel that enables the locking device to travel up and down. The locking device may include a camera that enables the locking device to align with the interface, and once aligned, the locking device secures the interface. In additional or alternative embodiments, the locking device includes two C-bars and a biasing element that urges the locking device into an open position. When the passenger sits or leans against the opened C-bars, the force caused by the interface on the C-bars overcomes the force applied by the biasing element, urging the C-bars into a closed position. The locking device is then secured by engaging a locking bar that pushes against a surface of the C-bars.

Abstract: A shape-morphing fin includes a fixed portion, a multistable portion, a coupling portion, and a vibration source. The multistable portion functions as a negative stiffness element. The multistable portion is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The movement between first position and the second position is configured to remove the ice formation from the structure. The coupling portion couples the fixed portion to the multistable portion. The vibration source is configured to produce a resonant vibration to engage the movement of the multistable portion from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A system for measuring oil circulation ratio in a vapor-compression refrigeration system (VCRS) is provided. The system may include an oil separator configured to receive the refrigerant and oil flow from the low-pressure line of the VCRS and output a oil flow and a refrigerant flow. The system may further include an oil collector configured to receive the separated oil flow provided by the oil separator. A valve may control an oil flow from the oil collector to the low-pressure line. A level sensor may measure oil level in the oil collector. The system may close, in response to the oil being at or less than a first level, the valve to collect oil in the oil collector. The system may open, in response to the oil being at or greater than a second level, the valve to release oil from the oil collector to the low-pressure line.

Abstract: Removable tubing cartridges are described herein. A removable tubing cartridge includes an elongated cartridge body. The cartridge body further includes an upper lip disposed about the upper end of the cartridge body, wherein the upper lip extends axially away from the cartridge body. The cartridge can further include at least one lower fastener disposed about the lower end of the cartridge body, wherein the upper lip and the at least one lower fastener are configured to cooperatively align the cartridge body within the infusion pump. The cartridge can further include an upper tubing adapter cavity and a lower tubing adapter cavity that are configured to cooperatively align the pump segment tubing relative to the cartridge body.

Abstract: Sanitizer systems with reusable wipe storage are disclosed. In accordance with an example, a sanitizer system includes a sanitizer dispenser and a pair of wipe storage trays. The sanitizer dispenser has a sanitizer container adapted to contain sanitizer and a mechanical sprayer coupled to the sanitizer container and adapted to dispense the sanitizer from the sanitizer container. The pair of wipe storage trays are slidably coupled to opposing sides of the sanitizer dispenser and each defining define a wipe storage compartment to store either clean wipes or soiled wipes.

Abstract: A passenger restraint system of a vehicle includes a passenger restraint article with an interface, and a locking device that secures the interface. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a vertical channel that enables the locking device to travel up and down. The locking device may include a camera that enables the locking device to align with the interface, and once aligned, the locking device secures the interface. In additional or alternative embodiments, the locking device includes two C-bars and a biasing element that urges the locking device into an open position. When the passenger sits or leans against the opened C-bars, the force caused by the interface on the C-bars overcomes the force applied by the biasing element, urging the C-bars into a closed position. The locking device is then secured by engaging a locking bar that pushes against a surface of the C-bars.

Abstract: A bar security system is an apparatus that is used to restrict access to a container. The bar security system includes an upper bracket, a lower bracket, an elongated support structure, a locking mechanism, and a height-adjustment assembly. The upper bracket and the lower bracket are structural elements that define reference points of the bar security system and used to secure the bar security system to a container such as, but not limited to, a storage cabinet. The elongated support structure is used to restrain items that are positioned within the container. The locking mechanism is used to prevent unwanted users from accessing the items positioned within the container. The height-adjustment assembly is used to adjust the bar security system so that the bar security system can be used on a container of any size.

Abstract: Removable tubing cartridges are described herein. A removable tubing cartridge includes an elongated cartridge body. The cartridge body further includes an upper lip disposed about the upper end of the cartridge body, wherein the upper lip extends axially away from the cartridge body. The cartridge can further include at least one lower fastener disposed about the lower end of the cartridge body, wherein the upper lip and the at least one lower fastener are configured to cooperatively align the cartridge body within the infusion pump. The cartridge can further include an upper tubing adapter cavity and a lower tubing adapter cavity that are configured to cooperatively align the pump segment tubing relative to the cartridge body.

Abstract: A bar security system is an apparatus that is used to restrict access to a container. The bar security system includes an upper bracket, a lower bracket, an elongated support structure, a locking mechanism, and a height-adjustment assembly. The upper bracket and the lower bracket are structural elements that define reference points of the bar security system and used to secure the bar security system to a container such as, but not limited to, a storage cabinet. The elongated support structure is used to restrain items that are positioned within the container. The locking mechanism is used to prevent unwanted users from accessing the items positioned within the container. The height-adjustment assembly is used to adjust the bar security system so that the bar security system can be used on a container of any size.

Abstract: A communication system and method are provided for remotely reproducing a touch pattern or gesture as a vibrotactile output. At a touch screen, a first user device receives a touch pattern by a first user, characterizes the touch pattern as a touch pattern data based upon time and intensity of touch at a plurality of array points of the touch screen, and communicates the touch pattern data to a network. A tactile array patch of micro-vibratory devices is attachable to a garment and worn by a second user. The touch pattern data is wirelessly received from the first user device via the network. Vibration of selected micro-vibratory devices of the tactile array is modulated in timing and intensity in response to the touch pattern data to reproduce the touch pattern.

Abstract: A pool cleaning assembly includes a frame is that may be manipulated thereby facilitating the frame to be urged through a pool. A float is coupled to the top lateral member. The float floats in the pool thereby facilitating the frame to be oriented upright in the pool. A pair of wheels is provided. Each of the wheels is rotatably coupled to the frame to roll along a bottom of the pool. A plurality of brushes is provided and each of the brushes is removably coupled to the frame. Each of the brushes is frictionally engages the bottom of the pool when the frame is urged through the pool. Thus, each of the brushes cleans the bottom of the pool. A screen is removably coupled to the frame. The screen capture debris when the frame is urged in the pool thereby facilitating the debris to be removed from the pool.

Abstract: A pool cleaning assembly includes a frame is that may be manipulated thereby facilitating the frame to be urged through a pool. A float is coupled to the top lateral member. The float floats in the pool thereby facilitating the frame to be oriented upright in the pool. A pair of wheels is provided. Each of the wheels is rotatably coupled to the frame to roll along a bottom of the pool. A plurality of brushes is provided and each of the brushes is removably coupled to the frame. Each of the brushes is frictionally engages the bottom of the pool when the frame is urged through the pool. Thus, each of the brushes cleans the bottom of the pool. A screen is removably coupled to the frame. The screen capture debris when the frame is urged in the pool thereby facilitating the debris to be removed from the pool.

Abstract: An apparatus for planting rhizomes includes a chassis having wheels to move in a primary direction over an area in which rhizomes are to be planted, the primary direction defining a forward and aft sense, a hopper on the chassis holds rhizomes to be planted, the hopper having a live bottom mounted to move rhizomes in the forward direction, a kickback bar at a forward side of the hopper lifts rhizomes at a forward face of the hopper, a leveling roller above the live bottom levels the height of rhizomes transported by the live bottom forward of the hopper, a barrel feed at a forward end of the live bottom to pull rhizomes from the live bottom, a accumulator below the barrel feed, a drop zone below the accumulator, and a chute with inner flaps from the drop zone oriented to deposit rhizomes in a furrow.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting rhizomes includes a chassis to move in a field. Coulter disks mounted on a forward end of the chassis break up soil on a top surface of the field. Digger blades aft of the coulter disks scoop clusters of rhizomes from the field with adhered soil. An inclined ramp on the chassis has a live bottom that pushes the rhizome clusters up the ramp in the aft direction including upright posts that force the clusters of rhizomes against depending obstructers extending downward from superstructure bars toward the live bottom. As the clusters encounter the obstructers, the clusters are broken to reduce their size and to loosen and separate soil from the rhizomes. A collector aft of the live bottom collects rhizomes falling from an aft end of the inclined ramp.