Abstract: A power conveyor circuit for an energy harvesting system includes an input port configured to be electrically coupled to a sensor to receive an input signal from the sensor at an input power level and an output port configured to 5 be electrically coupled to a load. A switch mode power path circuit is coupled to the input port and the output port to receive the input signal from the sensor received at the input port and to provide an output signal to the output port at an output power level equal to the input power level times a transfer efficiency. A method of making the power conveyor circuit and an energy harvesting system including the power conveyor circuit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A screen includes a support structure. A plurality of elongate screening elements are arranged in spaced relationship transversely on the support structure to define elongate screening apertures between adjacent screening elements. Each screening element has a screening head defining a screening surface, the screening surfaces all being at the same height relative to the support structure. Adjacent screening elements are of different widths relative to each other with a transverse dimension of the aperture being less than a width dimension of the wider screening element. The screening head of the wider screening element is shaped to maintain a substantially constant screening aperture between the screening elements during a predetermined amount of wear of the wider screening element.

Abstract: A heating apparatus and method of heating. The embodiments of the invention relate to coffee machine heating apparatuses for providing heated brew water for passing through coffee grounds. The apparatus and method involves using low pressure steam (i.e. less than 1 bar absolute) at a saturation temperature that is substantially equal to the desired brew water temperature. Advantageously, improved temperature control of the brew water is achieved in a manner which is more convenient to an end user. The operating temperatures are more stable (the need for a “cooling flush” is removed) and the operating temperatures is reached in a quicker manner than with conventional machines.

Abstract: Polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam insulation described herein is derived from a composition that contains an organic polyisocyanate, an isocyanate reactive material containing at least about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of an aromatic polyester polyol, a hydrocarbon blowing agent, a first catalyst selected from the group consisting of a carboxylate salt of an alkali metal, a carboxylate salt of an alkaline earth metal, a carboxylate salt of a quaternary ammonium, and combinations thereof, and a second catalyst comprising a non-reactive tertiary amine, wherein a molar ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalyst is less than about 1.25, the composition gels quickly, and the composition has an isocyanate index greater than about 175. Such an insulating foam has a ratio of thermal conductivity at 75° F. to thermal conductivity at 25° F. between about 0.98 and about 1.10.

Abstract: Methods comprising the steps of contacting a surface with a liquid composition comprising a cleaning agent, an adhesion promoter, and at least one dye, the surface having a first surface contamination; transitioning at least one portion of the surface in the first surface contamination state to a second surface contamination state and simultaneously distributing the at least one dye and at least one adhesion promoter on the surface associated with the second surface contamination state, the second surface contamination state having reduced or eliminated surface contamination, the transitioning step simultaneously cleaning and preparing the at least one portion of the surface for adhesion to another material; and identifying remaining surface in the first surface contamination state, and compositions adapted for the method thereof.

Abstract: Polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam insulation described herein is derived from a composition that contains an organic polyisocyanate, an isocyanate reactive material containing at least about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of an aromatic polyester polyol, a hydrocarbon blowing agent, a first catalyst selected from the group consisting of a carboxylate salt of an alkali metal, a carboxylate salt of an alkaline earth metal, a carboxylate salt of a quaternary ammonium, and combinations thereof, and a second catalyst comprising a non-reactive tertiary amine, wherein a molar ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalyst is less than about 1.25, the composition gels quickly, and the composition has an isocyanate index greater than about 175. Such an insulating foam has a ratio of thermal conductivity at 75° F. to thermal conductivity at 25° F. between about 0.98 and about 1.10.

Abstract: Methods comprising the steps of contacting a surface with a liquid composition comprising a cleaning agent, an adhesion promoter, and at least one dye, the surface having a first surface contamination; transitioning at least one portion of the surface in the first surface contamination state to a second surface contamination state and simultaneously distributing the at least one dye and at least one adhesion promoter on the surface associated with the second surface contamination state, the second surface contamination state having reduced or eliminated surface contamination, the transitioning step simultaneously cleaning and preparing the at least one portion of the surface for adhesion to another material; and identifying remaining surface in the first surface contamination state, and compositions adapted for the method thereof.

Abstract: A screen includes a support structure. A plurality of screening elements is arranged in spaced relationship on the support structure to define screening apertures between adjacent screening elements. Each screening element defines a screening surface, respectively. The screening surface of each of at least some of the screening elements are spaced further from the support structure than the screening surface of each of the remaining screening elements so that, on opposed sides of each screening aperture associated with the at least some of the screening elements, the screening surfaces are at different heights.

Abstract: Methods comprising the steps of contacting a surface with a liquid composition comprising a cleaning agent, an adhesion promoter, and at least one dye, the surface having a first surface contamination; transitioning at least one portion of the surface in the first surface contamination state to a second surface contamination state and simultaneously distributing the at least one dye and at least one adhesion promoter on the surface associated with the second surface contamination state, the second surface contamination state having reduced or eliminated surface contamination, the transitioning step simultaneously cleaning and preparing the at least one portion of the surface for adhesion to another material; and identifying remaining surface in the first surface contamination state, and compositions adapted for the method thereof.

Abstract: A screen assembly may include a frame defining an aperture, a screen panel disposed within the aperture, the screen panel having a plurality of slots formed therethrough that extend between top and bottom surfaces of the screen panel, and an RFID tag disposed within a recess formed in an edge of the screen panel, the edge being between the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods including a boost converter configured to receive an input voltage (e.g., a battery voltage) and to provide a boosted output voltage higher than the input voltage, and a shunt regulator coupled to the output of the boost converter through a resistive element and configured to regulate an output ripple of the boosted output voltage. In an example, using the systems and methods described herein, a battery voltage of less than 5 volts can be boosted and regulated to an output voltage between 16 and 20 volts with an output ripple of less than 500 microvolts.

Abstract: A manipulation system controllably moves a head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with energy waves from the head. The manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure. The base unit includes an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator. The head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head. The manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.