Abstract: A device and method of controlling a device. The device may include a controller for controlling operation of a pumping device to producing a flow of fluid in the pump set, the controller including a processor and a memory, the controller being adapted to store in the memory, syringe size data, the controller configured to execute in the processor a syringe detection program to determine a presence and size of the syringe loaded onto a flow control apparatus.

Abstract: The quick connector cleaning wand directly connects a cleaning towel to a hand-operated cleaning wand. The quick connector is located around the periphery of the cleaning wand to provide balanced and even mechanical movement of the attached towel. The present invention provides an interface between a hand polisher and cleaning or polishing towels in order to take advantage of the mechanical action of the machines to provide faster and more efficient use of towels. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a towel quick connector cleaning wand having of a plurality of retaining apertures for attaching and securing a towel.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure. Geographic location, occupancy sensors and occupant identifiers are used to control the system to facilitate operation and minimize leak damage when occupants are away.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure. Geographic location, occupancy sensors and occupant identifiers are used to control the system to facilitate operation and minimize leak damage when occupants are away.

Abstract: The present invention is an interface between an orbital or dual action machine and towels. The apparatus may directly connect to the orbital or dual action machine or may attach to a backing plate that is attached to the orbital or dual action machine. The quick connector is located concentric with the head of the orbital and dual action machine to provide balanced and even mechanical movement of the attached towel. The present invention provides an interface between an orbital or dual action machine and towels in order to take advantage of the mechanical action of the machines to provide faster and more efficient use of towels. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a towel quick connector pad having of a central opening with a retaining aperture for attaching and securing a towel.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure. Geographic location, occupancy sensors and occupant identifiers are used to control the system to facilitate operation and minimize leak damage when occupants are away.

Abstract: The present invention is an interface between an orbital or dual action machine and towels. The apparatus may directly connect to the orbital or dual action machine or may attach to a backing plate that is attached to the orbital or dual action machine. The quick connector is located concentric with the head of the orbital and dual action machine to provide balanced and even mechanical movement of the attached towel. The present invention provides an interface between an orbital or dual action machine and towels in order to take advantage of the mechanical action of the machines to provide faster and more efficient use of towels. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a towel quick connector pad having of a central opening with a retaining aperture for attaching and securing a towel.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure. Geographic location, occupancy sensors and occupant identifiers are used to control the system to facilitate operation and minimize leak damage when occupants are away.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure. Geographic location, occupancy sensors and occupant identifiers are used to control the system to facilitate operation and minimize leak damage when occupants are away.

Abstract: A casket is provided that is made entirely from ecologically friendly materials, yet still provides a furniture quality appearance. The casket includes a box having a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of end walls. A lid is pivotally supported relative to the box by a hinge assembly for movement between a closed position and an opened position. The casket also includes a locking mechanism that is operable to secure the lid in the closed position. The box, the lid, the hinge assembly, and the locking mechanism are made entirely from naturally occurring materials.

Abstract: The features of this invention allow construction and operation of a variety of high voltage, high repetition rated pulse generators of the Marx type that are switched with photon initiated semiconductor switches of the closing type. The photon initiated semiconductor switches can be constructed with bulk materials or in layered devices such as thyristors. Variations on the invention permit the formation of shaped high voltage pulses; particularly those that are nearly rectangular: with controlled rise and fall times, minimal or no overshoot, and minimal voltage ripple.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for fabricating and constructing solid dielectric “Coiled Transmission Line” pulse generators in radial or axial coiled geometries. The pour and cure fabrication process enables a wide variety of geometries and form factors. The volume between the conductors is filled with liquid blends of monomers, polymers, oligomers, and/or cross-linkers and dielectric powders; and then cured to form high field strength and high dielectric constant solid dielectric transmission lines that intrinsically produce ideal rectangular high voltage pulses when charged and switched into matched impedance loads. Voltage levels may be increased by Marx and/or Blumlein principles incorporating spark gap or, preferentially, solid state switches (such as optically triggered thyristors) which produce reliable, high repetition rate operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for fabricating and constructing solid dielectric “Coiled Transmission Line” pulse generators in radial or axial coiled geometries. The pour and cure fabrication process enables a wide variety of geometries and form factors. The volume between the conductors is filled with liquid blends of polymers and dielectric powders; and then cured to form high field strength and high dielectric constant solid dielectric transmission lines that intrinsically produce ideal rectangular high voltage pulses. Voltage levels may be increased by Marx and/or Blumlein principles incorporating spark gap or, preferentially, solid state switches (such as optically triggered thyristors) which produce reliable, high repetition rate operation. Moreover, these pulse generators can be DC charged and do not require additional pulse forming circuitry, pulse forming lines, transformers, or an output switch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for switching high power at high repetition rates. The apparatus is preferably a switch utilizing a pressurized flowing dielectric. The pressurized dielectric suppresses growth of dielectric breakdown byproducts, such as large bubbles and breakdown contamination, enabling lower dielectric flow rates to remove the byproducts. In addition to the advantage of lower flow rates, and thus smaller and lighter pumping means, the switch can switch high energies (up to megajoules) at fast repetition rates, up to thousands of pulses per second. The switch is preferably triggered to reduce jitter. The switch can also be used to remove water from oil.

Abstract: The features of this invention allow construction and operation of a variety of high voltage, high repetition rated pulse generators of the Marx type that are switched with photon initiated semiconductor switches. The Photon Initiated Switches can be constructed with bulk materials or in layered devices such as thyristors. Variations on the invention permit the formation of nearly rectangular, flat-topped, high voltage pulses. Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results without departing from the scope of the invention. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for switching high power at high repetition rates. The apparatus is preferably a switch utilizing a pressurized flowing dielectric. The pressurized dielectric suppresses growth of dielectric breakdown byproducts, such as large bubbles and breakdown contamination, enabling lower dielectric flow rates to remove the byproducts. In addition to the advantage of lower flow rates, and thus smaller and lighter pumping means, the switch can switch high energies (up to megajoules) at fast repetition rates, up to thousands of pulses per second.

Abstract: A multi-stage system and method for pasteurizing food products includes a first processing unit configured to receive the food product and apply an amount of non-thermal energy treatment to the food product which is effective to inactivate one or more key enzymes. A second processing unit is configured to receive the food product from the first processing unit and reduces the population of potentially harmful microorganisms to a level that is not harmful to consumers of the food product. In one alternative embodiment, the second processing unit comprises a concentration unit which removes water from the food product to produce a concentrated form of the product. The first processing unit may, for example, comprise a high voltage arc discharge unit, a non-thermal pulsed electric field unit, an oscillating magnetic field unit, or an ultrasonic unit.

Abstract: A low air loss bladder coupled to a siderail is provided.

Abstract: A cushion is provided for use on a foot section of an articulating deck of a bed to support the legs of a person on the bed. The foot section of the deck is movable from a generally horizontal bed position to a generally vertical chair position. The cushion includes an air bladder configured to be inflated when the deck is in its horizontal bed position and deflated when the deck is in its generally vertical chair position, a cover surrounding the air bladder, and an elastic cord coupled to the cover. The elastic cord is configured to gather the cover and the air bladder toward the foot section of the deck as the air bladder is deflated.

Abstract: A dump valve apparatus is configured to inflate and deflate an air cushion on a bed having an articulating deck movable from a first generally horizontal position to a second angled position. The dump valve apparatus is coupled to the deck and includes an elongated housing having an interior region. The housing has first and second open ends and a central opening located between the first and second open ends. The central opening is coupled to the air cushion. The first end of the housing is coupled to an air supply. A piston is slidable within the interior region of the housing of the housing as the deck moves to its angled position to permit air to pass from the air bladder, through the central opening, and through the open second end of the housing to deflate the air bladder.