Abstract: A chemical control system for an aquatic application is disclosed. The control system includes an enclosure having a graphic overlay and a reference chart disposed on a front cover thereof and a sensor in communication with the enclosure and designed to detect a level of a first chemical in the water of the aquatic application. A pump receives a signal to dispense at least one chemical into the aquatic application in response to feedback from the sensor to effectuate a change in the chemical composition of the aquatic application.

Abstract: A method of controlling an output relay of a chemical controller is disclosed. The output relay is coupled to a pump configured to introduce at least one chemical into the aquatic application. The chemical controller controls the operation of the pump using the output relay. The method includes the step of utilizing a watchdog timer circuit to determine that a processor has failed to send a reset signal to the watchdog timer circuit before a timer of the watchdog timer circuit reaches zero. The method further includes the step of outputting a processor fault signal from the watchdog timer circuit.

Abstract: A method of controlling an output relay of a chemical controller is disclosed. The output relay is coupled to a pump configured to introduce at least one chemical into the aquatic application. The chemical controller controls the operation of the pump using the output relay. The method includes the step of utilizing a watchdog timer circuit to determine that a processor has failed to send a reset signal to the watchdog timer circuit before a timer of the watchdog timer circuit reaches zero. The method further includes the step of outputting a processor fault signal from the watchdog timer circuit.

Abstract: A chemical controller for an aquatic application comprising an output relay. The chemical controller further includes a current detection circuit configured to detect current on an output of the output relay and a current fault detection device configured to output a current fault signal when a current fault condition has occurred. A relay latch of the chemical controller receives the relay enable signal and the current fault signal and decouples the relay enable signal from a corresponding output when a current fault condition has occurred. A relay drive circuit receives a signal from the corresponding output to responsively activate and deactivate the output relay. A watchdog timer circuit causes the output relay to be deactivated in response to detecting a hung processor.

Abstract: A chemical controller for an aquatic application comprising an output relay. The chemical controller further includes a current detection circuit configured to detect current on an output of the output relay and a current fault detection device configured to output a current fault signal when a current fault condition has occurred. A relay latch of the chemical controller receives the relay enable signal and the current fault signal and decouples the relay enable signal from a corresponding output when a current fault condition has occurred. A relay drive circuit receives a signal from the corresponding output to responsively activate and deactivate the output relay. A watchdog timer circuit causes the output relay to be deactivated in response to detecting a hung processor.

Abstract: A chemical controller for an aquatic application comprising at least one output relay. The chemical controller further includes a current detection circuit configured to detect current on an output of the at least one output relay and a current fault detection device configured to output a current fault signal indicative of the occurrence of a current fault condition. The chemical controller further comprises at least one relay latch configured to receive the relay enable signal and the current fault signal and to decouple the relay enable signal from a corresponding relay latch output when the current fault signal indicates the occurrence of a current fault condition. A relay drive circuit is configured to receive a signal from the corresponding relay latch output to and to responsively activate and deactivate the at least one output relay.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methods for controlling aquatic lighting using power line communication are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a lighting controller configured to receive power via an AC power line, the lighting controller comprising a light driver circuit configured to be coupled to at least one light source, a first power line modem configured to be connected to a local area network via a second powerline modem and the AC power line, and a processor that is configured to receive, from a user interface via the first power line modem, lighting data corresponding to a lighting selection specified by user input received by the user interface and cause the light driver circuit to drive the at least one light source to present the lighting selection based on the lighting data.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methods for controlling aquatic lighting using power line communication are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a lighting controller configured to receive power via an AC power line, the lighting controller comprising a light driver circuit configured to be coupled to at least one light source, a first power line modem configured to be connected to a local area network via a second powerline modem and the AC power line, and a processor that is configured to receive, from a user interface via the first power line modem, lighting data corresponding to a lighting selection specified by user input received by the user interface and cause the light driver circuit to drive the at least one light source to present the lighting selection based on the lighting data.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methods for controlling aquatic lighting using power line communication. In some embodiments, the systems include: a first power line modem coupled to an AC power line and a LAN; a user interface configured to: receive user input specifying a lighting, selection; and transmit lighting data representing the lighting selection to the first power line modem via the LAN; and a lighting controller that receives power via the AC power line, comprising: a light driver circuit coupled to a light source; a second power line modem coupled to the AC power line, the second power line modem receives the lighting data over the AC power line; and a processor configured to: receive lighting data from the second power line modem; and cause the light driver circuit to drive the light source to present the lighting selection.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methods for controlling aquatic lighting using power line communication. In some embodiments, the systems include: a first power line modem coupled to an AC power line and a LAN; a user interface configured to: receive user input specifying a lighting, selection; and transmit lighting data representing the lighting selection to the first power line modem via the LAN; and a lighting controller that receives power via the AC power line, comprising: a light driver circuit coupled to a light source; a second power line modem coupled to the AC power line, the second power line modem receives the lighting data over the AC power line; and a processor configured to: receive lighting data from the second power line modem; and cause the light driver circuit to drive the light source to present the lighting selection.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting the presence or absence and/or one or more characteristics of analytes are disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosed devices include an actuator having a staging reservoir which can be operably connected with an electrophoresis assembly. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods include operating the subject devices, for example, by actuating the actuator to operably connect, e.g., fluidically connect, components of the devices, and electrophoresing or otherwise propelling a sample through portions of the devices. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods include detecting an analyte and/or analyzing properties of a sample, such as one or more characteristics of an analyte in a sample. The analyte of interest can be a charged molecule or can be modified to be charged using, for example, one or more ionic moieties.

Abstract: A chemical controller for an aquatic application comprising at least one output relay. The chemical controller further includes a current detection circuit configured to detect current on an output of the at least one output relay and a current fault detection device configured to output a current fault signal indicative of the occurrence of a current fault condition. The chemical controller further comprises at least one relay latch configured to receive the relay enable signal and the current fault signal and to decouple the relay enable signal from a corresponding relay latch output when the current fault signal indicates the occurrence of a current fault condition. A relay drive circuit is configured to receive a signal from the corresponding relay latch output to and to responsively activate and deactivate the at least one output relay.

Abstract: An optical laser-activated TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) slider, when normally mounted on a flexure, has an optical laser as well as other elements of its optical system exposed and subject to damage by mechanical shocks. The stand-off protective device disclosed herein, formed separately and attached to the flexure, or formed as part of the flexure itself, can protect the optical elements of such a slider from these shocks, particularly from inadvertent contacts with adjacent sliders or mechanical limiters.

Abstract: An optical laser-activated TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) slider, when normally mounted on a flexure, has an optical laser as well as other elements of its optical system exposed and subject to damage by mechanical shocks. The stand-off protective device disclosed herein, formed separately and attached to the flexure, or formed as part of the flexure itself, can protect the optical elements of such a slider from these shocks, particularly from inadvertent contacts with adjacent sliders or mechanical limiters.

Abstract: A flexible data storage card and shutter lock is disclosed. The flexible data storage card includes a housing, a media disc, a shutter, and a shutter lock. The housing includes a card top coupled to a base to define an enclosed region, and an access window defined by the base and communicating with the enclosed region. The media disc is rotatably disposed within the enclosed region. The shutter is slidably disposed within the enclosed region and defines a shutter window selectively alignable with the access window. The shutter lock is disposed within the enclosed region and is selectively couplable with the shutter.