Abstract: A coaxial cable compression connector for interconnecting braided coaxial cable to a trunk line equipment port is provided, wherein the connector is connected to a trunk line equipment port, a segment of cable is inserted within the connector, and the cable is caused to be radially compressed within the connector so as to provide an inexpensive, reliable and permanent connection between the braided coaxial cable and the connector without the usage of an adapter or a swivel joint.

Abstract: Circuit topologies that provide extended bandwidth of operation are disclosed. The circuits have two stages that share inductors, in which in-phase current components sum at a summing node and flow together, increasing the magnitude of the current in the inductors. The inductive peaking exhibited by the circuits is increased without using excessively large inductors.

Abstract: A method for the detection and signaling of smoke by means of an optical assembly in a detector casing, the optical assembly including at least one optical transmitter element and at least one optical receiver element, and which emits a reception signal which is representative of the incident amount of light. An electronic evaluation device compares the reception signal to a setpoint and an alarm signal is generated when the reception signal reaches the predetermined threshold value. The temperature is measured on or in the detector casing and the temporal characteristic of the temperature is correlated with the temporal characteristic of the reception signal of the optical receiver element and a dew film signal is generated when the rise in the reception signal is correlated to a rise in temperature.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for smoothly starting and controlling an ORC power plant. The system comprises a cascaded closed loop control that accounts for the lack of relationship between pump speed and pressure at startup so as to control pump speed and pressure, and that smoothly transitions into a steady state regime as a stable operating condition of the system is attained. The cascaded loop receives signals corresponding to a superheat setpoint, a pressure at an evaporator exit, and a temperature at an evaporator exit, and controls the pump speed and pressure upon startup to provide smooth operation. The system and method can further comprise a feed-forward control loop to deal with conditions at start-up and when external disturbances are applied to the ORC power plant.

Abstract: An optical reader is provided that can include an image sensor. The optical reader can generate an array of miltibit pixel values. The array of multibit pixel values can be processed. In one embodiment, the image sensor can be provided by a 1D image sensor. In one embodiment, the image sensor can be provided by a 2D image sensor.

Abstract: A pole for a hand pallet truck that includes a pole bar which is linked to a support for a steerable wheel at its lower end and connected to a loop-shaped handle at the other end. An operating device is disposed within the space defined by the handle. The operating device is attached to a holding extension projecting into the handle in prolongation of the bar, and is connectable to a lifting apparatus of the hand pallet truck via a traction and/or pushing element. If applicable, it is connectable via a second traction and/or pushing element to a brake of the hand pallet truck, wherein an operating lever is disposed on either side of the extension. The operating levers are pivotally mounted on the holding extension in a plane essentially defined by the handle.

Abstract: To enable the on-machine measurement of selected features of a workpiece formed on a live spindle lathe with a positioning rotary table, both the machine itself and the electronic touch probe used to conduct the measurements are calibrated. The accuracy of the machine itself is measured and calculated by including the measured errors not only in the x and z linear axes, but also in the y linear axis. Calibration of the touch probe is made by determining a correction factor which is obtained by the touch probe measurement of an artifact whose dimensions are precisely known by other means. This correction factor is then made to the nominal measurements made by the touch probe on the selected features of the workpiece to be measured, to obtain the actual dimensions thereof. Adjustments are also made to compensate for the differences in radial positions between the workpiece and the artifact.

Abstract: An integrated seal assembly and a connector incorporating the seal assembly for connecting a coaxial cable to an externally threaded port. The seal assembly includes a bellows-type seal having an elastically deformable tubular body and a plurality of sealing surfaces, and an integral joint-section intermediate an anterior end and a posterior end that assists in the axial deformation of the seal in response to axially-directed force. One of the sealing surfaces is made to engage a corresponding surface of an internally threaded nut. The nut and attached seal form an integral seal assembly. A coaxial cable connector includes a connector body. One end of the body attaches a coaxial cable, the seal assembly being rotatably attached to the other end. The connector is engagable with an externally threaded port via the internally threaded nut component of the connector.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for providing optimized accuracy and precision in analog-to-digital conversions of data. In an embodiment of the invention, an A/D converter is configured by setting two separately definable reference voltages that are controlled by a microprocessor. The A/D converter range is as wide as, or slightly greater than, a dynamic range of the analog signal to be converted. The microprocessor adjusts at least one reference voltage. The A/D converter receives analog signals from a sensor. The dynamic range of the signal from the sensor, or the sensor operating conditions, are used to define the reference voltages. The converted data is provided to a data processor at a rate controlled by a clocking signal. In a method according to the invention, the A/D converter is operated using the features described above. The accuracy and the precision of the converted data are thereby optimized.

Abstract: A machine designed as a centrifugal compressor is applied as an organic rankine cycle turbine by operating the machine in reverse. In order to accommodate the higher pressures when operating as a turbine, a suitable refrigerant is chosen such that the pressures and temperatures are maintained within established limits. Such an adaptation of existing, relatively inexpensive equipment to an application that may be otherwise uneconomical, allows for the convenient and economical use of energy that would be otherwise lost by waste heat to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A point of sale transaction terminal that has a signature capture pad mounted within a platen that is recessed within the top surface of the terminal housing. A screen protector is mounted over the signature pad and is registered thereon so that the protector covers the signature pad. A bezel is mounted upon said platen within the recess of the housing so that the bezel surrounds the periphery of the protector and the capture pad. A latching mechanism is located beneath the bezel which serves to removably secure the bezel to the platen. An access port is provided in said housing that allows restricted access to the latching mechanism for unlatching the bezel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an air conditioning system and a plurality of auxiliary devices, with both the air conditioning system and the auxiliary devices being adapted to operate in a setback condition. The auxiliary devices are operated in a setback condition in response to the operation of the setback operation of the air conditioning system such that, generally, the auxiliary devices are operated in a setback condition when the air conditioning system is operating in a non-setback condition and vice versa so as to thereby achieve load balancing. In addition, the auxiliary devices can, at the same time, be operated in the setback mode on the basis of duty cycle.

Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.

Abstract: A three dimensional fabric suitable for use as a moisture management system for footwear and apparel which includes a first surface and a second surface which encase a center section. At least one surface is water repellent and may include pores of a predetermined size to allow moisture to pass therethrough. The fabric further contains a moisture absorbing agent which functions to capture and hold moisture which is later evaporated within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A firearm cleaning kit includes a soft case which unzips along three sides so that the case is divided into two portions connected by a fabric fold line. Attached to the case at the fold line is a backing with a tool insert which has cavities for holding cleaning tools. The tool insert is optionally removably connected to a backing so that tool inserts with differently shaped cavities can be used. In one variation, an additional tool insert connects to the backing, leaving the backing sandwiched between the two tool inserts.

Abstract: A distinct female cultivar of Salix purpurea×Salix miyabeana named ‘Millbrook’, characterized by rapid stem growth producing 9% more woody biomass than one of its parents (‘SX64’) and 2% more biomass than a current production cultivar (‘SV1’). ‘Millbrook’ produced greater than 2-fold more stem biomass than two other current production cultivars, ‘SX67’ and ‘SX61’. ‘Millbrook’ can be planted from dormant stem cuttings, produces multiple stems after coppice, and the stem biomass can be harvested when the plant is dormant. In the spring following harvest, the plant will re-sprout very vigorously, producing new stems that can be harvested after two to four years of growth. This harvest cycle can be repeated several times. The stem biomass can be chipped and burned as a source of renewable energy, generating heat and/or electricity. ‘Millbrook’ displays a low incidence of rust disease.

Abstract: A distinct male cultivar of Salix purpurea×S. miyabeana named ‘Oneida’, characterized by rapid stem growth producing 2.7-times greater woody biomass than one of its parents (‘SX67’) and greater than 36% more biomass than current production cultivars (‘SV1’ and ‘SX64’). ‘Oneida’ can be planted from dormant stem cuttings, produces multiple stems after coppice, and the stem biomass can be harvested when the plant is dormant. In the spring following harvest, the plant will re-sprout very vigorously, producing new stems that can be harvested after two to four years of growth. This harvest cycle can be repeated several times. The stem biomass can be chipped and burned as a source of renewable energy, generating heat and/or electricity. ‘Oneida’ displays a low incidence of rust disease or damage by beetles or sawflies.

Abstract: A distinct male cultivar of Salix purpurea named ‘Fish Creek’, characterized by rapid stem growth producing greater than 30% more woody biomass than either of its parents (‘94001’ and ‘94006’) and 20% more biomass than a current production cultivar (‘SV1’). ‘Fish Creek’ can be planted from dormant stem cuttings, produces multiple stems after coppice, and the stem biomass can be harvested when the plant is dormant. In the spring following harvest, the plant will re-sprout very vigorously, producing new stems that can be harvested after two to four years of growth. This harvest cycle can be repeated several times. The stem biomass can be chipped and burned as a source of renewable energy, generating heat and/or electricity. ‘Fish Creek’ displays a low incidence of rust disease or damage by beetles or sawflies.