Abstract: The embodiments of the Lens Protector are comprised of two large eyepiece lens covers, two small objective lens covers, and a flat connective lanyard. The embodiments of the optical protection device, the larger end covers are placed over the eye optical lenses and the smaller end covers are placed over the objective lenses to protect the eye lenses and objective lenses from damage due to light or damage due to foreign objects being deposited on the lens glass. The lanyard with the X-shaped connection allows the end covers to be maintained in place relative to each other and also prevents the end covers from being entangled thereby allowing ease of replacement of the end covers onto the optical lenses when the optical device is to be stored or taken out of application use.

Abstract: A vaginal occlusion device that prevents the leak of gas out of the vaginal cavity during a laparoscopic surgery. The vaginal occlusion device includes a shaft with a handle attached to one end and a round or oval shaped head attached to the other end. The head is adapted to be inserted into a vagina.

Abstract: A controller providing selective activation of thermal storage devices within a network to balance requirements of a user to manage their heating and the network operator to balance the load available with the load on the network.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for indicating an efficiency level of energy usage by an automotive vehicle to a passenger in the vehicle. The system includes a computer-readable storage medium, a controller, an interior-lighting system, and a display unit. The controller processes energy usage signals to obtain the given operating mode of the vehicle as well as indications of energy usage amounts that the passenger can control. The controller determines the efficiency level of energy usage by the vehicle based on the energy usage amounts and the given operating mode. The interior-lighting system illuminates at least a portion of the passenger compartment with ambient light having defined characteristics including a luminance and a color, the ambient light indicating the efficiency level. The display unit displays a graphical representation of the efficiency level.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for electrostatic air filtering in automotive vehicles, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The system includes an electrical distribution system and an electrostatic filtering system having discharge electrodes and an accumulation electrode. The distribution system is in high-voltage electrical communication with the filtering system as well as an electric motor and a high-voltage energy storage device in the vehicle. In operation, the distribution system distributes high-voltage electric power to the filtering system. The filtering system receives the high-voltage electric power to generate a high-voltage electrostatic potential between the accumulation electrode and the discharge electrodes to remove particulates from air flowing through a region of the electrostatic filtering system.

Abstract: A vaginal occlusion device that prevents the leak of gas out of the vaginal cavity during a laparoscopic surgery. The vaginal occlusion device includes a shaft with a handle attached to one end and a round or oval shaped head attached to the other end. The head is adapted to be inserted into a vagina.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a digital control circuit is provided for use with a switch-mode power converter that receives an input signal at a first input node and a control signal at a second input node, and that provides an output signal at a first output node and a current signal at a second output node. The digital control circuit generates a programmable current reference signal based on a difference between the output signal and a voltage reference signal, calculates a time instant when the current signal substantially equals the programmable reference current signal, and generates the control signal based on the calculated time instant. Numerous other aspects are also provided.

Abstract: An improvement in monitoring alcohol levels through transdermal testing is provided by detecting if environmental gasses, referred to as interferents, have been introduced into a transdermal vapor sample. An insensible skin perspiration sample may not be completely controlled and can contain interferents from an environmental source rather than the subject. Before testing a skin perspiration sample, the alcohol sensor is sampled and averaged to establish a baseline value. A sample is drawn and presented to the alcohol sensor. The output of the alcohol sensor is monitored to determine the amount of alcohol in the sample. A maximum alcohol sensor value for the transdermal alcohol monitor is set by determining the baseline value when no alcohol is present in the sample. Subsequent baseline values during a reading above the maximum alcohol sensor value indicate that an environmental interferent is present in the alcohol sensor.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for indicating an efficiency level of energy usage by an automotive vehicle to a passenger in the vehicle. The system includes a computer-readable storage medium, a controller, an interior-lighting system, and a display unit. The controller processes energy usage signals to obtain the given operating mode of the vehicle as well as indications of energy usage amounts that the passenger can control. The controller determines the efficiency level of energy usage by the vehicle based on the energy usage amounts and the given operating mode. The interior-lighting system illuminates at least a portion of the passenger compartment with ambient light having defined characteristics including a luminance and a color, the ambient light indicating the efficiency level. The display unit displays a graphical representation of the efficiency level.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for electrostatic air filtering in automotive vehicles, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The system includes an electrical distribution system and an electrostatic filtering system having discharge electrodes and an accumulation electrode. The distribution system is in high-voltage electrical communication with the filtering system as well as an electric motor and a high-voltage energy storage device in the vehicle. In operation, the distribution system distributes high-voltage electric power to the filtering system. The filtering system receives the high-voltage electric power to generate a high-voltage electrostatic potential between the accumulation electrode and the discharge electrodes to remove particulates from air flowing through a region of the electrostatic filtering system.

Abstract: An improvement in monitoring alcohol levels through transdermal testing is provided by detecting if environmental gasses, referred to as interferents, have been introduced into a transdermal vapor sample. An insensible skin perspiration sample may not be completely controlled and can contain interferents from an environmental source rather than the subject. Before testing a skin perspiration sample, the alcohol sensor is sampled and averaged to establish a baseline value. A sample is drawn and presented to the alcohol sensor. The output of the alcohol sensor is monitored to determine the amount of alcohol in the sample. A maximum alcohol sensor value for the transdermal alcohol monitor is set by determining the baseline value when no alcohol is present in the sample. Subsequent baseline values during a reading above the maximum alcohol sensor value indicate that an environmental interferent is present in the alcohol sensor.

Abstract: An information handling system (“IHS”) includes a system board and a power supply unit coupled to the system board. The power supply unit includes a switching power regulator. The switching power regulator includes an inductor coupled to an output, a capacitor coupled to the inductor, a switch, coupled to the inductor, for regulating power supplied by the power supply unit in response to a duty cycle, and a control circuit, coupled to the switch, for supplying current to the inductor while the switch is closed and charging the capacitor while the switch is open.

Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) includes a system board and a power supply unit, coupled to the system board. The power supply unit includes a power converter for supplying power to a first output and a second output, a switch, coupled to the power converter, for regulating power supplied to the first and the second outputs in response to a duty cycle, and a control circuit, coupled to the switch, for receiving an indication of current level at the second output and in response to the indication of current level at the second output, adjusting the duty cycle.

Abstract: The breakaway support for overhead lines is a coordinated failure control device. The breakaway support for overhead lines sacrifices itself to ensure that the supporting structure is not damaged. The device has an intentional weak link. The breakaway support for overhead lines will release when the overhead line it is supporting receives a stress that exceeds the tensile strength of the weak link in the breakaway support for overhead lines. The stress causes the weak link to fail. The structure is not damaged and a repair crew can quickly affect repairs. It is much cheaper and easier to reconnect an overhead line than it is to replace or repair a structure and then reconnect the overhead line.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for product development. The system includes a number of tasks that define product development. The tasks are related according to finish-to-start relationships.

Abstract: A method for fitting a surface to some portion of a patient's heart. In the method, ultrasound imaging is carried out over at least one cardiac cycle, providing a plurality of images in different image planes made with a transducer at known positions and orientations. An operator selects points on some of the images that correspond to the surface of interest, and a surface is automatically fit to the points in three dimensions, using prior knowledge about heart anatomy to constrain the fitted shape to a reasonable result. The operator reviews the fitted surface, in 3D or alternatively, as intersected with the images. If the fit is acceptable, the process is done. Otherwise, the image processing is repetitively carried out, guided by the fitted surface, to produce additional data points, until an acceptable fit is obtained. The resulting output surface can be used in determining cardiac parameters.

Abstract: A textile material containing cotton and/or synthetic fibres is treated by applying thereto an aqueous emulsion containing an organopolysiloxane elastomer, a hydrophilic organosiloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer and optionally a siloxane curing catalyst, and drying and curing the thus treated material.