Abstract:
A solid state power control module contains non-volatile memory. A switch for opening is provided to break a supply of power to a component. The switch is operable to trip (open) when an undesirable condition is detected, and further to be opened upon receiving a control signal. A status of the switch is stored in the non-volatile memory. A detector is provided for identifying when a module has been mounted in a housing, and communicates with the non-volatile memory if it is determined that the module is newly installed in a housing. A system and method are also claimed.
Abstract:
A hand-held, self-contained x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer produces a small x-ray spot on a sample to interrogate the elemental composition of a sample region of millimeter-size characteristic dimension. The analyzer includes a collimator for aiming an x-ray beam toward a desired location on the sample and for determining the size of the spot produced on the sample. The analyzer may include a digital camera oriented toward the portion of the sample that is, or would be, interrogated by the x-ray spot to facilitate aiming the analyzer. The analyzer may generate a reticule in a displayed image to indicate the portion of the sample that is, or would be, illuminated by the x-ray beam. The analyzer may automatically annotate the image of the sample with text or graphics that contain information about the analyzed sample. The image may be stored in the hand-held analyzer or provided for external storage or display.
Abstract:
An electrical inductor assembly comprises an inductor core having a circular shape, a wire guide that surrounds the inductor core and includes a plurality of slots, at least one of the slots forming a path winding around the inductor core, and at least one wire placed in one of the plurality of slots to form a winding. A method of forming an electrical inductor assembly comprises forming an inductor core having a circular shape, surrounding the inductor core with a wire guide, winding at least one wire around the inductor core along a slot in the wire guide, and applying an insulating material to the slot containing the at least one wire to electrically insulate the at least one wire.
Abstract:
An analytical instrument may be docked in a stand. The stand provides electrical power, cooling, gas to purge air from an analytical gap within the instrument and/or other supplies or services to the instrument. The stand contains a contactless memory, such as an RF-ID tag, which stores information about the supplies and/or services the stand is capable of providing to the instrument. The instrument reads the stand's contactless memory and automatically sets operational parameters of the instrument in accordance with the supplies and/or services the stand is capable of providing. Thus, the instrument may automatically operate in an enhanced mode, such as at a higher x-ray beam power, as a result of being mounted in the stand.
Abstract:
An analytical instrument stores and/or reads information related to a sample in a contactless memory, such as a passive or active radio-frequency identification (RF-ID) tag. The information may include information about: composition of the sample, one or more analytical instruments that were used to analyze the sample, operator(s) who used the instrument(s) to analyze the sample, user-entered data about the sample (such as an origin of the sample) or a combination thereof or the like. The memory may be attached to the sample or to a container, in which the sample is stored or transported. One or more copies of such a memory may be loosely stored with the sample, such as with soil in a plastic bag or a rail car. When the memory is attached to, or stored with, the sample, the sample becomes essentially self-documenting. Information about the sample, such as its composition or origin, may be read by a contactless memory reader, such as an RF-ID reader.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a unit for compacting waste prior to disposal. The invention provides a waste compaction unit for fitting into a housing comprising a lid and an interior for collecting waste, the compaction unit comprising a plunger comprising bellows housed in said lid; a pneumatic locking mechanism housed in said lid; and a pump connected to the plunger via said locking mechanism wherein the pump is arranged in operation to activate the locking mechanism prior to inflating the bellows to extend the plunger axially towards the bin interior such that any waste collected therein is compacted.
Abstract:
A modular thin film, distributed, lumped element band-pass filter. The filter circuitry is configured on a number of ceramic substrates. The component defining depositions are arranged to overlap and couple to one another with connecting vias. Alternative 800 MHz and 1.9 GHz band-pass filter circuits are disclosed. Bordering ground conductors and covering ground planes shield lumped impedance resonator and overlapping capacitor elements. The layers are configured to accommodate a range of frequencies and permit pre-fabrication with subsequent laser trimming, assembly and packaging.
Abstract:
Improved cooling of electronic heat loads aboard aircraft is achieved in a system including a sealable aircraft cabin (10), first and second electronic heat loads (38), (40) and a means (42) for maintaining a desired pressure within the cabin (10). A rotatable turbine wheel (16) is associated with an overboard dump port (32) such that air being dumped overboard from the cabin is expanded to rotate the turbine wheel (16). A mechanical load (20) is connected to the turbine wheel (16) for harnessing the rotation thereof and means (24), (60) are employed for using the air expanded by the turbine wheel (16) for cooling at least one of the loads (38), (40).
Abstract:
A motorcycle apparatus having improved features relating to an improved overall drive system for providing automatic transmission operation. Also described is an improved transmission construction relating to a gear selection means. Furthermore, there is described an improved spring (one-way) clutch having a pair of members secured to a drive shaft for the front wheel and the transmission output shaft, respectively, along with a clutch spring disposed about the members and a novel means for interlocking the members but enabling rotation therebetween.
Abstract:
A card shuffler with a card carousel includes a random number generator (RNG) and a controller configured to determine a winning outcome for a casino game. The card carousel may include a plurality of slots or sectors, with the slots or sectors corresponding to an outcome of a casino game. The outcome may be determined in a noiseless manner, where the RNG determines the winning slot or sector. The carousel need not rotate to determine an outcome, and the carousel may therefore be fixed or rotatable relative to the base. A card mechanism may be actuated to eject a card from the winning card slot. A plurality of lights may be disposed around the carousel and may be selectively illuminable to indicate the winning sector. The sectors may include display screens with indicia displayed thereon.