Abstract: A wireless node, such as a sensor node or other suitable node, includes a supercapacitor having a charge and one or more photocells adapted to charge the supercapacitor responsive to ambient light. A microprocessor cooperates with a wireless transceiver to transmit a count of one or more wireless messages. The microprocessor determines the charge of the supercapacitor, determines an incremental charge of the supercapacitor resulting from the ambient light, and adjusts the count of the wireless messages as a function of the charge of the supercapacitor and the incremental charge. A power supply, including a boost regulator and a filter capacitor, powers the microprocessor and the wireless transmitter from the charge of the supercapacitor.

Abstract: An antenna is for a wireless communication device mounted in an opening of a wall. The antenna includes a switch cover plate adapted to cover the opening of the wall. The switch cover plate includes a first or front surface adapted to be disposed away from the opening and an opposite second or rear surface adapted to face the opening. An antenna element, such as a dipole or loop, engages the front surface of the cover plate or is disposed between the front and rear surfaces. A connector is electrically interconnected with the antenna element.

Abstract: A switchgear apparatus includes a switchgear device, such as a circuit breaker, having a power bus, and an antenna element including an antenna member and one or more antenna leads. A material encapsulates the antenna member and is adapted to suppress dielectric breakdown through the material to the encapsulated antenna member from the power bus. The circuit breaker also includes a conductive housing having an opening receiving the antenna leads. The conductive housing is mounted on or proximate to the power bus. A sensor circuit is disposed in the conductive housing and is adapted to output a radio frequency signal to the antenna leads or to input a radio frequency signal from the antenna leads.

Abstract: Torque in a torsion member, such as a rotating shaft, is sensed by a piezoelectric element that is attached to the torsion member. The piezoelectric element has a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the torque and is part of a transducer oscillator that produces a first signal. A reference oscillator has a similar piezoelectric element and produces a second signal having a frequency that varies in response to environmental parameters. The first and second signals are heterodyned, thereby cancelling the effects due to environmental parameters acting on both piezoelectric elements and producing a resultant signal that has a frequency which corresponds to the torque applied to the torsion member.

Abstract: Torque in a torsion member, such as a rotating shaft, is sensed by a piezoelectric element that is attached to the torsion member. The piezoelectric element has a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the torque and is part of a transducer oscillator that produces a first signal. A reference oscillator has a similar piezoelectric element and produces a second signal having a frequency that varies in response to environmental parameters. The first and second signals are heterodyned, thereby cancelling the effects due to environmental parameters acting on both piezoelectric elements and producing a resultant signal that has a frequency which corresponds to the torque applied to the torsion member.

Abstract: A wideband receiver antenna that utilizes a right-circular cylinder-based reflector which is positioned one arc segment away from a di-pole receiving element for use with high definition television signal reception as well as FM receiver reception.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a throttle rolloff switch that is operatively associated with the throttle control and the cruise control device to deactivate the cruise control device when the throttle control is rotated to reduce the speed of the motorcycle. The rolloff switch includes a magnetically-sensitive sensor, a magnet positioned in spaced relation to the sensor and movable relative to the sensor, and a coil spring positioned between the sensor and the magnet so that the sensor and the magnet are normally biased in separated relation.