Abstract: A smart accessory device is designed to be used with a circuit breaker so as to be able to actuate an operating mechanism of the circuit breaker in order to either open or close the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The accessory device can be one of a shunt trip, spring release, or under voltage release device. The accessory device continually executes diagnostics to determine whether the power being supplied by an external power source is sufficient to enable the accessory device to actuate the operating mechanism of the associated circuit breaker. If the accessory device determines that the power being supplied by the external source is insufficient, the device triggers an alarm in order to notify a user that the power source is not meeting the power requirements of the device.

Abstract: A composite includes a plastic substrate and an electrical insulator layer formed on the plastic substrate. The electrical insulator layer contains boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), which may be unmodified or modified BNNTS. The composite is suitable for use in making printed electronic devices. A process includes providing a plastic substrate and forming on at least a portion of a surface of the plastic substrate a layer that contains the BNNTs. A metallic ink trace is formed on a portion of the layer, such that the metallic ink trace is spaced-apart from the substrate. Using photonic or thermal sintering techniques, the metallic ink trace is then sintered.

Abstract: Bioprinters use biological inks (i.e. bioinks) to produce biomaterials such as cell cultures (including 3D cell cultures), living tissues, and organs. Bioprinters as described by the present invention include those capable of performing high-throughput industrial scale assays, applications, and development while maintaining precision.

Abstract: A smart accessory device includes an actuator and is designed to be used to actuate an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker in order to either open or close the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The accessory can be one of a shunt trip, spring release, or under voltage release device. The actuator includes a solenoid and plunger. The accessory determines the operating condition of the actuator based on how much current flows through the coil when the power source provides power to the accessory device, and continually executes a coil diagnostic to determine the operating condition of the coil while power is being provided to the accessory device. If the accessory fails to trip the circuit breaker when required, the accessory can determine whether the failure was due to either of the solenoid or the plunger.

Abstract: A sliding-pivoting mechanism for a rack includes two pivot arms pivotably secured to the carcass, arranged parallel to one another, and forming a parallel guide for a pull-out guide having a guide rail and a running rail to which the rack is fastened. A locking mechanism is arranged on the guide rail and on one of the pivot arms to prevent a simultaneous pivoting and sliding movement. The locking mechanism has a locking pin arranged movably on one of the pivot arms and a locking plate mounted in a positionally fixed manner with respect to the guide rail and which interacts with the locking pin to block a pivoting movement of the pivot arms if the rack is lifted into an upper loading and unloading position. An unlocking device, coupled to the locking mechanism, has an actuating element and an unlocking element to move the locking pin from a blocking position into a release position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical assessments of bioink printability are described. The systems and methods include the use of hardware, software and optical targets to aid in the evaluation of bioink printability. The optical targets are developed and fabricated from 3D printable materials determined to be “nozzle fidelic” and/or materials that possess well characterized thermosensitivity. The optical targets make it possible to rapidly compare and evaluate bioink printability and can be easily customized and tailored for specific applications.

Abstract: An acoustic liner is provided. The acoustic liner includes a face sheet, a back sheet spaced from the face sheet, and a core layer defining a cellular structure disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The core layer includes a plurality of first resonant cells coupled to the back sheet. Each of the first resonant cells includes a first cell wall coupled to the back sheet along a first cell wall base edge, the first cell wall extending from the back sheet toward the face sheet, the first cell wall further coupled to the face sheet along a first cell wall top edge, wherein the first cell wall of each of the first resonant cells comprises a surface extension that extends from a surface of the first cell wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tripping open circuit interrupters based on the detection of an arc flash using an accessory arc flash detection module are disclosed. The housing of the arc flash detection module is structured to be installed within the frame of a circuit interrupter. The detection module communicates with light sensors structured to detect light from arc flash events, and includes a controller configured to communicate with an electronic trip unit of the circuit interrupter. In one embodiment, the detection module is configured to alert the electronic trip unit that light indicative of arc flash conditions has been detected such that the electronic trip unit can determine whether or not to initiate a trip after determining the magnitude of current flowing through the circuit interrupter. In another embodiment, the detection module is configured to directly actuate a trip of the circuit interrupter based on the detection of light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tripping open circuit interrupters based on the detection of an arc flash using an accessory arc flash detection module are disclosed. The housing of the arc flash detection module is structured to be installed within the frame of a circuit interrupter. The detection module communicates with light sensors structured to detect light from arc flash events, and includes a controller configured to communicate with an electronic trip unit of the circuit interrupter. In one embodiment, the detection module is configured to alert the electronic trip unit that light indicative of arc flash conditions has been detected such that the electronic trip unit can determine whether or not to initiate a trip after determining the magnitude of current flowing through the circuit interrupter. In another embodiment, the detection module is configured to directly actuate a trip of the circuit interrupter based on the detection of light.

Abstract: A smart accessory device is designed to be used with a circuit breaker so as to be able to actuate an operating mechanism of the circuit breaker in order to either open or close the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The accessory device can be one of a shunt trip, spring release, or under voltage release device. The accessory device continually executes diagnostics to determine whether the power being supplied by an external power source is sufficient to enable the accessory device to actuate the operating mechanism of the associated circuit breaker. If the accessory device determines that the power being supplied by the external source is insufficient, the device triggers an alarm in order to notify a user that the power source is not meeting the power requirements of the device.

Abstract: A smart accessory device includes an actuator and is designed to be used to actuate an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker in order to either open or close the separable contacts of the circuit breaker. The accessory can be one of a shunt trip, spring release, or under voltage release device. The actuator includes a solenoid and plunger. The accessory determines the operating condition of the actuator based on how much current flows through the coil when the power source provides power to the accessory device, and continually executes a coil diagnostic to determine the operating condition of the coil while power is being provided to the accessory device. If the accessory fails to trip the circuit breaker when required, the accessory can determine whether the failure was due to either of the solenoid or the plunger.

Abstract: A connector for a straw construction kit includes a body having a central base portion and a plurality of fingers extending radially outward from the central base portion and spaced apart from one another. The central base portion has a notch formed therein and being accessible between a pair of fingers. The finger is configured for insertion into one straw. The connector can be mated to another connector to form another connector having a different shape.

Abstract: A connector for a straw construction kit includes a body having a central base portion and a plurality of fingers extending radially outward from the central base portion and spaced apart from one another. The central base portion has a notch formed therein and being accessible between a pair of fingers. The finger is configured for insertion into one straw. The connector can be mated to another connector to form another connector having a different shape.

Abstract: The present invention, hereinafter referred as the Flip Coin Bouncer, is a variation on the classic game of Quarters. The object of the Flip Coin Bouncer is to flip a coin toward a specially designed goal in an effort to force opponents to take a drink. The game's playing unit is fashioned from a durable wood, cardboard, or plastic material, and measures approximately five and one-half inches in length, three and one-half inches in width, and one to one and one-half inches in depth. The base consists of an angled incline, culminating in an attached goal post. Shaped as a rectangle or, in another embodiment, as a pennant, the goal contains a centrally positioned hole for coins to pass through. The goal, as well as the base, is decorated with various sports themed logos. To support the goal within the base, a pen or similar object is attached and reflects the goal post.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising a housing further comprising a flat cover, wherein the flat cover automatically opens during an emergency condition; a removable light source located inside the housing further comprising a rechargeable battery and a wide angle LED light bulb, wherein the removable light source remains off under a normal condition and the light source automatically turns on in response to an emergency condition. The emergency lighting system may further comprise a fixed light source for continuous illumination during an emergency condition. Furthermore, the emergency lighting system may further comprise an electrical outlet for use during normal conditions. The emergency lighting system may be retrofitted into existing outlets or the emergency lighting system may further comprise outlet plugs to plug into an existing outlet.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising a housing further comprising a flat cover, wherein the flat cover automatically opens during an emergency condition; a removable light source located inside the housing further comprising a rechargeable battery and a wide angle LED light bulb, wherein the removable light source remains off under a normal condition and the light source automatically turns on in response to an emergency condition. The emergency lighting system may further comprise a fixed light source for continuous illumination during an emergency condition. Furthermore, the emergency lighting system may further comprise an electrical outlet for use during normal conditions. The emergency lighting system may be retrofitted into existing outlets or the emergency lighting system may further comprise outlet plugs to plug into an existing outlet.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising a housing further comprising a flat cover, wherein the flat cover automatically opens during an emergency condition; a removable light source located inside the housing further comprising a rechargeable battery and a wide angle LED light bulb, wherein the removable light source remains off under a normal condition and the light source automatically turns on in response to an emergency condition. The emergency lighting system may further comprise a fixed light source for continuous illumination during an emergency condition. Furthermore, the emergency lighting system may further comprise an electrical outlet for use during normal conditions.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising a housing further comprising a flat cover, wherein the flat cover automatically opens during an emergency condition; a light source located inside the housing further comprising a rechargeable battery and a wide angle LED light bulb, wherein the light source remains off under a normal condition and the light source automatically turns on in response to an emergency condition, and wherein the light source is removable.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising a housing further comprising a flat cover, wherein the flat cover automatically opens during an emergency condition; a removable light source located inside the housing further comprising a rechargeable battery and a wide angle LED light bulb, wherein the removable light source remains off under a normal condition and the light source automatically turns on in response to an emergency condition. The emergency lighting system may further comprise a fixed light source for continuous illumination during an emergency condition. Furthermore, the emergency lighting system may further comprise an electrical outlet for use during normal conditions. The emergency lighting system may be retrofitted into existing outlets or the emergency lighting system may further comprise outlet plugs to plug into an existing outlet.