Abstract:
A circuit for powering high-efficiency lighting devices from a thyristor-controlled dimmer predicts a zero-crossing time of the AC power line supplying the dimmer and causes a glue impedance to be imposed at the output of the dimmer starting at the time of the zero-crossing, so that the timer in the dimmer will operate properly to generate the turn-on event at the correct time. At turn-on, a lower level of impedance is presented to absorb the energy associated with the turn-on event. A higher level of impedance may be presented after the energy is absorbed until all of the energy needed for the cycle is transferred. Then, a high impedance state is maintained until the next zero-crossing time. The impedance control may be provided by non-uniform operation of a power converter that supplies the lighting devices, or by a combination of non-uniform power converter operation and dissipative loading.
Abstract:
Tear-away and non-tear-away sheath introducers for catheters, methods for making such introducers, and methods for using such introducers are described. The sheath introducers contain movable valves that are encapsulated in a movable housing that allows the valve to move along the axis of the introducer. As the movable valve and housing travel along the axis, a portion of the hub protrudes past the valve and is exposed. As well, the sheath introducers can also contain a stationary valve and housing that can be opened to expose a portion of the hub when a conduit penetrates the stationary valve. In both instances, the protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for a catheter into the sheath introducer. The introducers can therefore be used with any catheter, regardless of the size or material, because of the reduced or eliminated frictional force between the catheter and introducer.
Abstract:
Tear-away and non-tear-away sheath introducers for catheters, methods for making such introducers, and methods for using such introducers are described. The sheath introducers contain movable valves that are encapsulated in a movable housing unlike conventional valves that are stationary. The movable housing allows the valve to move along the axis of the introducer. As the movable valve and housing travel along the axis, a portion of the hub protrudes past the valve and is exposed. The protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for the catheter into the sheath introducer. The introducers can therefore be used with any catheter, regardless of the size or material, because of the reduced or eliminated frictional force between the catheter and introducer.
Abstract:
The present invention provides novel methods and processes for polymerizing unsaturated substrates, such as alkyne bearing monomers, with arenes. The polymerizations are catalyzed by gold (Au) catalysts/complexes and/or other cocatalysts. The invention further provides novel structurally complex polymers prepared in high yield via an intermolecular polyhydroarylation mechanism. Such resulting products comprise oligomeric and polymeric materials with novel molecular architectures and microstructures, which subsequently impart unique properties. The invention includes both the synthesis methods and processes and the resulting compounds and compositions of matter.
Abstract:
A transformer isolated LED lighting circuit supplies current from a secondary-side storage capacitor to one or more LED strings in conformity with one or more dimming values. The dimming values are communicated through the transformer by patterns or codes provided in pulses of a power converter circuit that charges the storage capacitor from the primary side of the transformer, or alternatively by a special modulated signal provided in addition to the switching pulses.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for verifying employment of a first user with a computer system programmed to perform the method includes receiving a first name for a user-represented employer via a user-application, receiving a first plurality of social network data associated with the first user from a first social network server, wherein the first plurality of social network data includes a second name associated with an user-represented employer via a user-profile on the first social network, determining a relationship between the employer associated with the first name and the employer associated with the second name, in response to the first name and to the second name, determining an employment verification indicator in response to the relationship between the employer associated with the first name to the employer associated to the second name and outputting with the computer system, the employment verification indicator.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for managing the financial risk in a risk-taking scenario associated with a subject of risk-taking. The method includes receiving authorization to access at least one qualified account of a subject of risk-taking; receiving data from the qualified accounts of the subject of risk-taking; determining a stability score based on the received data, the stability score being an estimate of the financial risk in the risk-taking scenario; and performing an action through the qualified account based on the stability score.
Abstract:
A cascaded power converter having an auxiliary power supply operated from the second switching power stage provides efficient operation by activating the auxiliary power supply early in the startup process. A low energy transfer operating mode is initiated in the second switching power stage to charge the auxiliary power supply output without generating significant disruption at the load. After the first switching power stage is started and the intermediate node voltage has increased to a level sufficient to operate the second switching power stage, the final switching power stage enters a normal operating mode. The low energy transfer operating mode has a substantially reduced switching rate and pulse width from that of the normal operating mode.
Abstract:
Describes a photochromic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic plastic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a rigid substrate, e.g., polymeric substrate, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating appended to at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic material, e.g., spirooxazine, naphthopyran and/or fulgide, and (3) a film comprising a maleimide derivative coherently appended to the photochromic coating. Describes also the aforedescribed photochromic article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the maleimide derivative-containing film, e.g., an abrasion-resistant coating comprising an organo silane; and describes further a photochromic article having an antireflective coating affixed to the abrasion-resistant coating.
Abstract:
Describes a photochromic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic plastic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a rigid substrate, e.g., a transparent substrate such as a glass or organic polymeric substrate, as for example, a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating appended to at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one organic photochromic material, e.g., spirooxazine, naphthopyran, diarylethene and/or fulgide, and (3) a thermally cured transparent thermoset polymeric coating superposed on, e.g., coherently appended to, the photochromic coating, the thermally cured polymeric coating being harder than the photochromic polymeric coating. Describes also the aforedescribed photochromic article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the thermally cured polymer coating, e.g., an abrasion-resistant coating comprising an organo silane; and a photochromic article having an antireflective coating affixed to the abrasion-resistant coating.