Abstract: Surface lighting devices including at least one light source, at least one energy storage device, and a thermoelectric power generation unit electrically coupled to the at least one energy storage device are disclosed herein. The at least one energy storage device is charged by the thermoelectric power generation unit, and the stored energy is used to illuminate the at least one light source. The surface lighting devices include a voltage step-up circuit that converts a DC voltage produced by the thermoelectric power generation unit into a higher-level DC voltage. Methods for illuminating a surface utilizing the surface lighting devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for control of an alternating current appliance comprising locating in either an appliance plug or a plug-in module programmable control means and providing a plurality of electrical connections between the programmable control means and programming means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the identification of arcing phenomena in a faulted electrical network. By continually updating a model for the load on an electrical branch, an estimate of the behavior of that load may be calculated. Since electrical arcing faults result in a chaotic behavior that is difficult to describe, when arcing occurs, the model will be unable to adequately describe the arcing behavior and this inability indicates a fault condition, in response to which, power may be removed in full or in part from the faulted electrical network. In some embodiments, a current shunt is used to distinguish between source side and load side arcing. Some embodiments utilize a solid state switch as both current shunt and interruption means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making fault interrupter receptacles tolerant to miswiring errors. By employing redundant sense elements plus a special switch configuration, the device obtains a symmetry that makes it unnecessary to designate specific line and load terminals. The addition of open neutral protection, ground assurance, transposed conductor protection and end-of-life protection provides enhanced performance with the addition of only a few parts relative to a conventional fault protection unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributed control of an electrical appliance having a plug and a load and two power carrying conductors connecting the plug to the load, comprising locating power control elements completely within the plug, connecting interface elements to the two power carrying conductors, which interface elements are not within the plug, and transmitting status information from the interface elements to the power control elements by imposition of electrical signals onto the two power carrying conductors, wherein the electrical signals comprise an adjustable duration deadzone at a zero crossing of a sinusoidal excitation.

Abstract: An apparatus, and corresponding method, for management of fecal incontinence comprising a catheter having at least two electrodes and an inflatable balloon, a non-conductive sleeve surrounding the electrodes, and an alarm box, wherein the catheter is insertable into a rectal vault and is inflatable to serve as a block to passage of stool and wherein moisture sensed by the electrodes triggers the alarm box and thereby notifies a user that fecal material has entered the rectal vault.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing redundant protection to a fault detection/interruption circuit, thereby ensuring safe operation even in the case of a failure of the primary fault detection/interruption means. Upon the occurrence of a failure in the primary circuit interruption means, a secondary circuit breaker, or in some embodiments, a redundant primary circuit breaker release mechanism, serves to remove power from a protected outlet or output conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and interrupting electrical current leakages from the conductors in an electrical distribution system with a particular application to appliance power cords. Parallel conductive paths connect between the source and the load. Electrical current to one side of the load is furnished by these split paths with the other side of the load connecting to the source through a single conductive path. By sensing the imbalances in the split conductive paths, leakage currents that are undesirable and might lead to parallel arcing faults may be detected. By adding an additional sense line for the single conductor, complete series arc fault detection may also be accomplished. In some embodiments, two split conductors are used to supply power from source to load in one direction and two split conductors are use to supply power from source to load in a return direction.

Abstract: A power level controller and method for an AC electrical appliance that can be implemented in the plug of the appliance, controlling power in response to switch closures on the appliance and/or remotely located switches, or alternatively, may be implemented as a module into which an existing appliance is inserted, thereby providing a retrofit solution for appliance control. By using multifunction switches having steering diodes, multiple commands can be transmitted to the controller, all without the need for additional control wires, since all commands are superimposed on the two conductors that deliver power to the appliance. In addition, the independent control of two polarity sensitivity loads may be implemented. With implementations using integrated circuits, the internal electrostatic discharge diodes within the integrated circuit may be used for the power supply to yield a very low parts count system.

Abstract: A low cost, low parts count electronic circuit that is built into an appliance automatically and continuously checks for an open ground condition or a condition where the power conductors are transposed, at which time, power is interrupted in the appliance. By combining this with an electrical leakage detection circuit and power interrupter at the plug, the electrical safety of the appliance is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing redundant protection to a fault detection/interruption circuit, thereby ensuring safe operation even in the case of a failure of the primary fault detection/interruption means. Upon the occurrence of a failure in the primary circuit interruption means, a secondary circuit breaker, or in some embodiments, a redundant primary circuit breaker release mechanism, serves to remove power from a protected outlet or output conductors.

Abstract: An electronic test circuit for the self-testing of fault detection devices such as GFCI's, AFCI's and RCD's enhances the safety of such devices by automatically testing the function of all components of these detection components without the need for manual intervention. This self-test device tests the functioning of the primary circuit breaker and detects failure modes such as welded contacts in the circuit breaker. By using a secondary, “one-shot” circuit breaker, power may be safely and automatically removed from a malfunctioning fault detection device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrical shock protection and electrical arc fault protection in an electrical distribution system. The invention consists of a current interrupting circuit that impedes electrical current flow during short time intervals in each half cycle of an AC source. If a shock hazard or electrical arc fault condition occurs during this short time interval, it results in current flow that is sensed at a load center, causing a circuit interrupter to open and preventing current flow to the distribution system for a period of time as short as one half cycle. When the fault is removed, that event is detected within one half cycle and power is restored to the load thus implementing an automatic reset. The invention is well suited for the retrofit of existing electrical distribution systems using the existing wiring.

Abstract: A circuit for the avoidance of electrical shock and burns in an electrical appliance. Designed primarily for a two wire appliance, the device consists of a conditioning circuit at the load and a fault sensor/interrupter at the plug. The conditioning circuit halts the flow of current to the load for a portion of each cycle of an AC excitation. If current flow is detected at the plug during this time interval it is indicative of a fault condition and a circuit breaker at the plug is opened. A fault is detected if one of the following conditions occurs: 1) a resistive path is established between hot to ground; 2) a load other than the conditioned load is placed between hot and neutral; and 3) an overtemperature condition is detected at the load. The circuit is self-resetting so that in the absence of a hot to ground fault, hot to neutral fault, or overtemperature condition, electrical current is allowed to flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the avoidance of electrical shock in an electrical appliance. Preferred for a two wire appliance, the device consists of a current interrupting circuit that impedes current flow for short time intervals in each half cycle. If a fault to ground occurs during these short time intervals, an increased current flow through the plug is detected and this is recognized as a fault, causing a circuit interrupter to open and removing current from the load during the remainder of the half cycle. When the fault is removed, that event is detected within one half cycle and power is restored to the load. The apparatus can provide thermal control in the plug. The apparatus enables the use of a low current, low voltage switch to control high voltages and high currents in the appliance. The apparatus can transmit fault status information or other information to a remotely located controller and can receive control signals from that remotely located controller.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and apparatuses for vibrational energy removal in a structural system. Sensors in the structure determine the vibration modal energy content of the structure only in real time, and detect whether controllable springs or "stiffeners" are in tension, compression, or are relaxed. Relaxed springs are stiffened or made less stiff so as to transfer energy in low vibrational modes into higher modes resulting in an accelerated passive dissipation of system energy. The technique is applicable for vibration damping in aircraft, watercraft, drilling platforms, space, civil, and other structures.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to apparatuses for the treatment of bruxism, utilizing aversive conditioning. The apparatus provides biting surfaces and is fittable within a user's mouth. When the user bites on the biting surfaces, an electric shock is delivered. In another embodiment, an alarm is provided for arousing or alerting the user. The apparatus can determine the number of bruxing events and/or the biting force of the user. Strain gage and pressure sensing resistor (PSR) using embodiments are also disclosed.