174results about How to "Inexpensive and reliable" patented technology

A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The inductively powered lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, the inductively powered lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.

A universal plug and play (UPnP) device makes itself known through a set of processes—discovery, description, control, eventing, and presentation. Following discovery of a UPnP device, an entity can learn more about the device and its capabilities by retrieving the device's description. The description includes vendor-specific manufacturer information like the model name and number, serial number, manufacturer name, URLs to vendor-specific Web sites, etc. The description also includes a list of any embedded devices or services, as well as URLs for control, eventing, and presentation. The description is written by a vendor, and is usually based on a device template produced by a UPnP forum working committee. The template is derived from a template language that is used to define elements to describe the device and any services supported by the device. The template language is written using an XML-based syntax that organizes and structures the elements.

Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached. Charging may occur at constant current and then at constant voltage.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system provides for UAV deployment and remote, unattended operation with reduced logistics requirements. The system includes a launcher that can include one or more launch tubes, each launch tube configured to house a UAV in a canister and one or more gas generators operatively connected to each canister and configured to push the UAV out of the launch tube by releasing gas into the canister. A controller for activating the gas generators can sequentially, and with a predetermined time delay, expel the UAV with a desired velocity and acceleration. The system further includes a UAV recovery device, a power supply, a security subsystem, a command and control subsystem and a communications subsystem. Command, control and communications can be provided between a remote station and the UAV.

Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Use of the variable frequency generator supply facilitates reduced component size and weight and better battery charging performance. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached. Charging may occur at constant current and then at constant voltage.

A branding process provides a networked computing device with initial set up information, including a name, a public / private key pair, and a set of certificates the device will need to inter-operate with other devices in the trust group. A branding device conveys the initial set-up information to the networked computing device via a limited access network interface, or alternatively via a broadcast network media with the device enclosed in a wave guide and / or Faraday cage. The networked computing device can then use the set up information to verify that other devices on the network that seek to interact with the device are also members of the trust group, with which networked computing device can interact.

The present invention discloses an interlock attaching strap system, comprising a carrier having a plurality of first webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed thereon, a holder having a plurality of second webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed thereon, wherein by overlapping the carrier and holder, the first webbing strips and the second webbing strips are capable forming an elongate interlocking channel; at least an elongated interfering strap, which is longitudinally extended on the holder, having an affixing end extended from a peripheral edge of the holder and a free tab end, arranged to slidably pass through the interlocking channel and is hooked onto the last webbing strip so as to securely reinforce the holder on the carrier via the interfering strap.

Air conditioning units, methods of manufacturing, inventories, and buildings wherein certain heat exchanger modules are combined to make air conditioning units. In some embodiments, different combinations of different size modules are used to produce air conditioning units having different capacities wherein some identical modules are used in different size units. Various heat exchanger assemblies include spacers between modules, bends formed after modules are assembled into heat exchanger assemblies, attachment rails at the ends of the modules, inactive multi-tubes at the top and bottom of the modules, copper tubing between aluminum modules to facilitate field replacement of individual modules, name plates that attach between modules, attachment clips or spacers that snap attach to the modules, or a combination thereof, as examples.

A device and system for simulating the flicker of candle flame is provided by the present invention. A series of independent charging and discharging circuits are provided that produce power waveforms having duty cycles that vary from a highest duty cycle to a lowest duty cycle. The power waveforms are provided to a series of LEDs arranged in a vertical stack. The lowest duty cycle power waveform is provided to the highest LED in the stack and the highest duty cycle power waveform is provided to the lowest LED in the stack. An approximately flame shaped housing that is partially translucent is positioned around the vertical stack of LEDs such that the light from the LEDs is visible while the LEDs themselves are not. A solar panel and an associated rechargeable battery are used to power the device.

A push-to-release latching mechanism for retaining a transceiver module in a communication port of a computer or server is provided with a beam spring structure for positional restoration of the latch member, and the latch is supported and moveable relative to the host transceiver module. The latch member may be formed to include camming surfaces that facilitate the insertion of the transceiver module into a communication port and mate with a guide rail and connector resident in a communication port. The latch member may be adapted to latch with a rigid latch bar or a cantilevered spring. Additionally, the latch may be formed with a camming surface which insures that the latch is displaced to a latching position whenever network cables are connected to the transceiver module by camming the latch into the secure, latched position and subsequently preventing the latch from moving to an insecure or unlatched position. The latch member is pivotally supported on the transceiver module in a shaft / journal arrangement and thus is removed from the communication port whenever the transceiver module is removed, thereby preventing the latch from projecting from the communication port and being subject to damage. The latch member may be formed with a living hinge to provide a pivot axis and one end of the living hinge may be attached to a electronic module chassis or to a support structure which may be mated with a electronic module chassis for easy replaceability.

To generate an alert signal indicating that an unauthorized subject is in a first region within seven feet of a passageway, a radio transmitter is worn by the subject and received by a receiver at the passageway. A second signal is generated upon satisfaction of a second condition, such as an open door at the passageway, which second signal indicates the likelihood of the subject passing through the passageway. A first display indicates if the first signal is present and a second signal if the second condition occurs.

A communication bus suitable for use in a hazardous area of a process plant includes a first transmission path adapted to communicate electrical signals in a first direction, and a second transmission path adapted to communicate electrical signals in a second direction. A safety device is coupled to each of the first and second transmission paths and includes a control unit adapted to detect a fault condition associated with the communication bus. The safety device further includes a switch unit adapted to interrupt the flow of electrical signals along each of the first and second transmission paths in response to the detected fault condition. In this manner, the detection circuitry of the communication bus automatically reduces or prevents the occurrence of sparks or arcing in the event of a fault condition associated with the communication bus.

Disclosed herein is a spectrophotometer at least including: an optical waveguide; a light entrance slit provided at an end face on the inner side of the optical waveguide, for bringing an incident light into the optical waveguide; an optical element provided at an end face on the inner side of the optical waveguide or at an interior of the optical waveguide, for separating the incident light brought in the optical waveguide into a spectrum; and a photoelectric conversion device provided at an end face on the inner side of the optical waveguide, for detecting the incident light separated into the spectrum at the optical element; wherein the optical waveguide, the light entrance slit, and the optical element being integrally formed on an optical waveguide board, and a photoelectric conversion device substrate having the photoelectric conversion device formed thereon being mounted on the optical waveguide board.

A reliable remote copy system is provided at low costs. The remote copy system includes a first storage system connected to a first upper level computing system to transmit or receive data to or from the first upper level computing system; a second storage system connected to the first storage system to receive data from the first storage system; and a third storage system connected to the second storage system to receive data from the second storage system and connected to a second upper level computing system to transmit or receive data to or from the second upper level computing system. Therefore, failover can be made from the first upper level computing system to the second upper level computing system. As a result, the upper level computing system connected to the second storage system is not required, and an inexpensive remote copy system can be realized.

A long throw Pop-Up Irrigation Nozzle assembly has no oscillating or rotating parts and includes a cylindrical body having a fluid inlet and a sidewall defining at least one fluidic circuit configured to generate a selected spray pattern when irrigation fluid flows through the body. In order to throw long distance, droplet velocity, droplet size and droplet initial aim angle determine the throw to provide a low precipitation rate (“PR”) for fluidic sprays. The nozzle assembly and method of the present invention achieve a PR of 1 in / hr or less and good spray distribution with a scheduling coefficient (“SC”) of about 1.5 without utilizing any moving components to provide a significantly more cost effective nozzle assembly, as compared to prior art rotator nozzles.

A device for cooling electrical or electronic equipment in a turbomachine, such as a unit for controlling actuators for variable-geometry elements, the device comprising at least one vortex tube having an inlet connected to means for feeding pressurized air taken from an element of the turbomachine, and a cold air outlet connected to means for cooling the electrical equipment.

A method for designing a patient specific orthopaedic device intended for an osteoarticular structure of a patient, based on at least two two-dimensional radiographic images of the osteoarticular structure taken respectively in two offset image-taking directions, comprising the following steps: b) locating anatomical points on the radiographic images; c) determining at least one three-dimensional geometrical feature of the patient by matching the anatomical points b) located at step b); d) determining at least one three-dimensional size parameter of the orthopaedic device based on the geometrical feature of the patient determined at step c).

The present invention discloses an interlock attaching strap system, comprising a carrier having a plurality of first webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed thereon, a holder having a plurality of second webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed thereon, wherein by overlapping the carrier and holder, the first webbing strips and the second webbing strips are capable forming an elongate interlocking channel; at least an elongated interfering strap, which is longitudinally extended on the holder, having an affixing end extended from a peripheral edge of the holder and a free tab end, arranged to slidably pass through the interlocking channel and is hooked onto the last webbing strip so as to securely reinforce the holder on the carrier via the interfering strap.

A mobile electronic device with an image sensor and a shutter key. The shutter key includes a touch sensor and a resilient switch. A processor in the device is configured to activate an automatic camera function, such as an autofocus function when a user touches the touch sensor. The processor is also configured to photograph a subject when the user presses the shutter key and thereby activates the resilient switch.

A disposable microsensor is designed, fabricated and tested for standard BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measurements. A transparent Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) substrate is used for sensor fabrication. Standard lithographic procedures in addition to techniques like screen printing and electroplating are used to fabricate the sensor. A microbial strain of Trichosporon Cutaneum is immobilized over one pair of sensor electrodes while the other is used as a reference. Depending on the respiratory activities of the microbial strain in different samples, the BOD values of the samples can be measured in terms of difference between the output signals. The sensor layer is attached to an injection-molded passive microfluidic channel on the top. Advantages of the BOD microsensor include, but are not limited to, fast BOD measurement, disposability because of its low cost, chemically inert polymer substrate, flow-through sample injection scheme and integration of on-chip optics.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrate lead frame connectors for connecting optical sub-assemblies to printed circuit boards in optical transceiver modules. The lead frame connectors include a conductive lead structure that is encased in a plurality of polymer casings. The polymer casings provide electrical insulation for the conductors in the lead frame as well as mechanical support for the finished component. One or more passive components can mount to the conductors of the lead frame connector to aid with impedance matching between an optical sub-assembly, the lead frame connector, and the printed circuit board. The lead frame connectors connect to the leads associated with the optical sub-assemblies and are surface mounted onto the printed circuit board to establish connectivity between the optical sub-assembly and the printed circuit board.

A profiling bed or similar support surface having a back section, seat section, thigh and calf section convertible to a chair configuration. The back section is mounted on an angled slide to retract as it is rotated. The angle of the slide also provides upward lift of the back section as it is retracted and rotated. This combination of movements mimics the way a person's tissues stretch when they move to a sitting position, reducing pressure and shear. At the same time, the thigh section can be rotated to an incline and the calf section either raised into a horizontal configuration or lowered to a chair configuration during movement of the thigh section. In another embodiment the thigh section is also mounted on a slide to retract towards the foot end as it is rotated to an incline, providing reduction of abdominal strain and increased comfort.

A detonator for initiating a detonation event in an explosive charge. The detonator comprises an exploding foil initiator and a switch. The exploding foil initiator includes a detonator bridge with a bridge member and a bridge contact that are electrically coupled to one another. The switch includes a switch contact that is spaced apart from the detonator bridge such that a spark gap of a predetermined width is defined between the bridge contact and the switch contact. A discharge arc, which is formed when a voltage in excess of a predetermined gap breakdown voltage is applied across the spark gap, closes the switch to thereby permit current to flow between the bridge contact and the switch contact.

An auxiliary lubrication system for an aircraft turbine engine includes a reservoir 32 of lubricant 50 and a venturi 42 to suction lubricant out of the reservoir and direct an lubricant mist at a bearing 24 or other component requiring lubrication. The venturi is directly connected to a source of motive fluid, such as pressurized air extracted from an engine flowpath 10, and is continuously driven by the motive fluid. The auxiliary system accommodates a failure or malfunction of the primary, high pressure lubrication system. The auxiliary system operates during normal conditions, when the primary system is fully functional. If the primary system fails, the auxiliary system continues to operate for a limited time, until the lubricant in the reservoir is depleted, to provide an lubricant mist to the component being lubricated. The limited-duration lubricant supply allows the aircraft crew time to carry out actions required to safeguard the aircraft and its occupants.

Low-cost, reliable, easy to use device and method identifies potential drowning or near-drowning events (i.e. a submerged inert human) in a timely manner, provides the precise location of the event, and issues an alert that such an event is in progress. Device is optionally networked to remote monitoring station.