Abstract: The present disclosure related to devices for generating electrical energy, methods for generating electrical energy, and methods for producing devices for generating electrical energy. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides an electrical energy generating device, the device comprising at least one electrical cell comprising an asymmetric pair of metal-semiconductor junctions to produce an electric potential difference to capture thermally excited charge carriers within the semiconductor.

Abstract: A method comprising modifying a van and installing a wheelchair lift. The wheelchair lift having a horizontal axis and a platform that: has an axis; has a stowed position whereat the platform extends vertically; is pivotable between the stowed position and a raised position whereat the platform extends horizontally; and is movable between the raised position and a lowered position, beneath the raised position. The modification includes: removing a portion of the passenger side between van C and D pillars to create an opening; and mounting double leaf doors adjacent thereto to create an entrance. In the stowed position, the platform is disposed interiorly of the area adjacent the entrance; in the raised position, the platform is disposed exteriorly of the area and communicates with a floor of the area; and, in the lowered position, the platform is disposed exteriorly of the area and communicates with the ground.

Abstract: The current at a deflection electrode 23, 25 of an electrostatic deflection continuous inkjet printer 127 is monitored. If the current reaches a level higher than normal for a clean print head but below the current required to trigger an automatic shutdown, a warning is generated. The warning indicates that an automatic shutdown is likely to follow unless the print head is cleaned. This allows the operator to shut the printer down in a planned manner for cleaning. The warning may be provided at the printer 127 or it may be provided by an external system 121, 129 which allows personnel who are not at the printer to be alerted. The monitoring may be done by the printer or information about the deflection electrode current may be provided to an external system 121, 129 that performs the monitoring.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices for generating electrical energy, methods for generating electrical energy, products for use in devices for generating electrical energy and methods for producing devices for generating electrical energy. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides an electrical energy generating device, the device comprising at least one cell comprising: first and second spaced electrodes, the first electrode comprising a low work function material and the second electrode comprising a high work function material; and disposed between the first and second electrodes, beta particle emitting radionuclides and a semiconducting material, the semiconducting material capable of producing electron hole pairs in response to beta particle emission from the radionuclides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, systems and products for converting carbon dioxide to one or more small organic compounds. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of converting CO2 and/or a related form thereof to one or more small organic compounds, the method comprising exposing the CO2 and/or the related form thereof to a beta particle activated high band-gap semiconductor and thereby converting the CO2 and/or the related form thereof to the one or more small organic compounds.

Abstract: In a continuous ink jet printer for use with pigmented ink, the entrance to the ink path (81), (35) from the interior of the ink tank (27) to the ink pump (31) is made up of a plurality of small inlet openings, which may be provided by nozzles 85 formed in a shroud 83 that fits around an ink filter (33) in the ink tank (27). The openings are provided at the bottom of the ink tank (27), close to the floor, and face parallel to the floor or at least partially towards it. If the ink pump (31) is driven in reverse, any ink in the ink path is driven at speed out through the inlet openings into the interior of the ink tank (27), followed by air. This tends to disperse pigment that may have settled to the bottom on the ink tank (27).

Abstract: An electronics enclosure for use in a gas turbine engine. The electronics enclosure including: a housing; one or more electronic devices, located within the housing, for use in controlling or monitoring the gas turbine engine; and a thermoelectric cooler configured, based upon a determination of an operational state of the gas turbine engine, to change between an active cooling mode, whereby the thermoelectric cooler is provided with power and thereby operated to cool the inside of the housing, and a passive mode, in which the thermoelectric cooler is not operated.

Abstract: An accessibility vehicle is for use with a vehicle and configured to move and stop on a surface. The vehicle is based upon a modified commercial vehicle having a side entrance and a floor. A bi-fold ramp module secured to the floor. The ramp module is positioned such that, in a folded configuration, the ramp module is substantially situated within the vehicle, and, in an extended configuration, the ramp module extends through the side entrance towards the surface to form a wheelchair ramp, the wheelchair ramp adapted for traverse in use by the wheelchair between the surface and the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a continuous ink jet printer for use with pigmented ink, the entrance to the ink path (81), (35) from the interior of the ink tank (27) to the ink pump (31) is made up of a plurality of small inlet openings, which may be provided by nozzles 85 formed in a shroud 83 that fits around an ink filter (33) in the ink tank (27). The openings are provided at the bottom of the ink tank (27), close to the floor, and face parallel to the floor or at least partially towards it. If the ink pump (31) is driven in reverse, any ink in the ink path is driven at speed out through the inlet openings into the interior of the ink tank (27), followed by air. This tends to disperse pigment that may have settled to the bottom on the ink tank (27).

Abstract: A bedside cabinet comprises a body (10) carrying two drawers (12) and (14) all made from synthetic plastics material by rotational molding. The body (10) comprises a proximal wall (16) and a distal wall (18) each extending upward from a generally horizontal platform (20), and a horizontal top (22) extending between the proximal wall (16) and the distal wall (18). An upstand (28) carries a horizontal shelf (30) extending partly over the top (22) and both the top (22) and the shelf (30) are directed towards the proximal side of the cabinet, having raised lips (32) and (34) respectively around their distal edges and their ends. The cabinet lacks dirt traps and is easily cleaned. In addition the drawers (12) and (14) are reversible so as to open forwards whether the cabinet is on the right-hand side or the left-hand side of a bed.

Abstract: One embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine combustion chamber including primary and secondary burning zones. Other embodiments include unique gas turbine engine apparatuses, systems, methods, and combinations.

Abstract: A bedside cabinet comprises a body (10) carrying two drawers (12) and (14) all made from synthetic plastics material by rotational moulding. The body (10) comprises a proximal wall (16) and a distal wall (18) each extending upward from a generally horizontal platform (20), and a horizontal top (22) extending between the proximal wall (16) and the distal wall (18). An upstand (28) carries a horizontal shelf (30) extending partly over the top (22) and both the top (22) and the shelf (30) are directed towards the proximal side of the cabinet, having raised lips (32) and (34) respectively around their distal edges and their ends. The cabinet lacks dirt traps and is easily cleaned. In addition the drawers (12) and (14) are reversible so as to open forwards whether the cabinet is on the right-hand side or the left-hand side of a bed.

Abstract: One embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine combustion chamber including primary and secondary burning zones. Other embodiments include unique gas turbine engine apparatuses, systems, methods, and combinations.

Abstract: A low-power sleep mode of operation for a frequency hopping radio receiver is presented. Digital circuits within the receiver operate based upon a high frequency clock source. During sleep mode, the circuits are clocked with a low-frequency clock source, which is typically less accurate in frequency. Periodically, the receiver awakens. The hop sequence channel tuned by the receiver is determined by a mapping based upon the channel upon which the receiver expects to receive communications. The mapping can be changed as necessary to improve tolerance to timing error. Furthermore, once communications are received after a sleep period, the frequency error of the low-frequency clock source can be determined, and compensated for after awakening from subsequent sleep periods.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the frequency allocation in the hop sequence of a frequency hopping digital communications system is presented. The hop sequence is initially formed such that consecutive channels are likely to differ substantially in frequency. Therefore, channel substitution commands can be transmitted twice on consecutive hops without acknowledgement, inasmuch as the likelihood of a broadband noise source blocking consecutive channels is reduced. The number of channels identified as requiring substitution in the hop sequence is monitored, such that a hop sequence repair operation or communications link termination can be implemented if channel substitution data traffic becomes too great.

Abstract: A low-power sleep mode of operation for a frequency hopping radio receiver is presented. Digital circuits within the receiver operate based upon a high frequency clock source. During sleep mode, the circuits are clocked with a low-frequency clock source, which is typically less accurate in frequency. Periodically, the receiver awakens. The hop sequence channel tuned by the receiver is determined by a mapping based upon the channel upon which the receiver expects to receive communications. The mapping can be changed as necessary to improve tolerance to timing error. Furthermore, once communications are received after a sleep period, the frequency error of the low-frequency clock source can be determined, and compensated for after awakening from subsequent sleep periods.

Abstract: A method of attaching a brake cable assembly onto a drum brake assembly is disclosed for a new form of brake cable having a cable inner portion with an end fitting and a cable outer portion comprising a cable sheath and a guide. The cable guide is inserted through a hole in a backplate of the brake assembly and positioned such that an open end of the guide is presented adjacent an automatic latching device on a parking brake lever of the brake assembly. The cable inner is then advanced through the cable outer such that the end fitting is guided towards, and engages the automatic latching device. The cable outer and backplate may be provided with corresponding orientation features which are aligned to ensure the correct presentation of the open end of the guide adjacent the latching device during assembly. These orientation features may take the form of interengaging formations on the backplate and cable outer. The guide may include a spring which acts as a return spring for the parking brake lever.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the frequency allocation in the hop sequence of a frequency hopping digital communications system is presented. The hop sequence is initially formed such that consecutive channels are likely to differ substantially in frequency. Therefore, channel substitution commands can be transmitted twice on consecutive hops without acknowledgement, inasmuch as the likelihood of a broadband noise source blocking consecutive channels is reduced. The number of channels identified as requiring substitution in the hop sequence is monitored, such that a hop sequence repair operation or communications link termination can be implemented if channel substitution data traffic becomes too great.

Abstract: A method of assembling a brake cable onto a drum brake assembly (10) is disclosed for a new form of brake cable (50) having a cable inner (56) with an end fitting (55) and a cable outer (51) comprising a cable sheath (52) and a guide (53). The cable guide (53) is inserted through a hole (24) in a backplate (13) of the brake assembly (10) and positioned such that an open end of the guide is presented adjacent an automatic latching device on a parking brake lever (15) of the brake assembly (10). The cable inner is then advanced through the cable outer (51) such that the end fitting (55) is guided towards, and engages the automatic latching device. The cable outer (51) and backplate (13) may be provided with corresponding orientation features which are aligned to ensure the correct presentation of the open end of the guide adjacent the latching device during assembly. These orientation features may take the form of interengaging formations (124, 160) on the backplate (13) and cable outer (51).