Abstract: Insulated or coated staple and a fastening tool for driving the same into a substrate. The tool includes a housing and a driver reciprocally mounted in the housing and moveable with respect to the housing, the driver having a driving surface for engaging a fastener such as a coated staple. A magazine assembly is associated with the housing for positioning and aligning the coated fastener in the path of the driver so that when actuated, the driver strikes the fastener and forcibly ejects it from the magazine into the substrate on which the object to be fastened is to be secured. Suitable fasteners include coated staples (of various sizes and configurations), nails, brads, rivets, etc.

Abstract: A novel amphiphilic lipid compound having a cleavable, vinyl ether linked hydrophilic headgroup is described. Also described are liposomes containing the vinyl ether lipid compound, which may be triggered to release their contents and/or permeablize or fuse with target lipid membranes. The cleavable vinyl ether linkage allows the hydrophilic headgroup to be dissociated from the hydrophobic tailgroup(s) of the lipid compound to facilitate phase transitions in the lipid bilayer.

Abstract: Fastening tool for driving a fastener such as a staple into a substrate a predetermined distance. The tool includes a housing and a driver reciprocally mounted in the housing and moveable with respect to the housing, the driver having a driving surface for engaging a fastener such as a staple. A magazine assembly is associated with the housing for positioning and aligning the fastener in the path of the driver so that when actuated, the driver strikes the fastener and forcibly ejects it from the magazine into the substrate to a predetermined extent so as to adjust or control the holding power of the fastener about the object.

Abstract: Fastening tool for driving a fastener such as a staple into a substrate a predetermined distance. The tool includes a housing and a driver reciprocally mounted in the housing and moveable with respect to the housing, the driver having a driving surface for engaging a fastener such as a staple. A magazine assembly is associated with the housing for positioning and aligning the fastener in the path of the driver so that when actuated, the driver strikes the fastener and forcibly ejects it from the magazine into the substrate to a predetermined extent so as to adjust or control the holding power of the fastener about the object.

Abstract: Fastening tool for driving a fastener such as a staple into a substrate a predetermined distance. The tool includes a housing and a driver reciprocally mounted in the housing and moveable with respect to the housing, the driver having a driving surface for engaging a fastener such as a staple. A magazine assembly is associated with the housing for positioning and aligning the fastener in the path of the driver so that when actuated, the driver strikes the fastener and forcibly ejects it from the magazine into the substrate to a predetermined extent so as to adjust or control the holding power of the fastener about the object.

Abstract: A current-sensing and correction circuit having programmable temperature compensation circuitry that is incorporated into a pulse width modulation controller of a buck mode DC—DC converter. The front end of the controller contains a sense amplifier, having an input coupled via a current feedback resistor to a common output node of the converter. The impedance of a MOSFET, the current through which is sampled by a sample and hold circuit is controlled by the sense amplifier unit. A sensed current correction circuit is coupled between the sample and hold circuit and the controller, and is operative to supply to the controller a correction current having a deterministic temperature-compensating relationship to the sensed current. The ratio of correction current to sensed current equals a value of one at a predetermined temperature, and has other values at temperatures other than at that temperature.

Abstract: A self-powered overvoltage protection circuit for a regulated DC-DC converter looks for the onset of a very large input voltage prior to regulation. In response to such a voltage during this interval, it turns on a low side electronic power switching device, in accordance with the voltage at one of the phase node and the regulated voltage output terminal from which the protection circuit derives its power. This provides a bypass path for an overvoltage that would otherwise be coupled from the regulated voltage output terminal to one or more load devices.

Abstract: A user-programmable bi-directional, constant current generator circuit allows external programming of either a positive (+) or a negative (−) polarity output current, for injection into one of two locations of the PWM controller circuit of a DC-DC voltage converter. The parameters of the DC-DC converter's offset voltage will depend upon the connection of a single programming pin to one of two programming resistors. The programming resistors are respectively referenced to different supply rail voltages (VCC and VSS). The polarity of the offset additionally depends upon where, within the PWM-controlled DC-DC converter, the programmed constant current is injected.

Abstract: A programmably switched, multi-output stage current mirror-based, current-sensing and correction circuit controls the operation of a buck mode DC—DC converter. This correction circuit generates a correction current having a prescribed step-wise temperature-compensating relationship to sensed current. The sensed current is derived from a variable impedance controlled by a sense amplifier coupled via a current feedback resistor to the common output node between a high side power switching device and a low side power switching device of the converter. To program the correction circuit a decoder maps temperature information associated with the low side power switching device and additional programming information into a current mirror control code.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit cooperating with at least one power switch for supplying power from a source to a load over a range between a lower limit and an upper limit to thereby control an output voltage for the load. The converter may also include a primary feedback control loop cooperating with the PWM circuit for supplying power to the load between the lower and upper limits based upon the output voltage during normal load transient conditions. The converter may also include at least one override feedback control loop cooperating with the PWM circuit for overriding the primary feedback control loop and supplying power to the load at one of the lower and upper limits based upon the output voltage during a corresponding relatively fast load transient condition. Accordingly, relatively fast load transients can be followed by the converter.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit cooperating with at least one power switch for supplying power from a source to a load over a range between a lower limit and an upper limit to thereby control an output voltage for the load. The converter may also include a primary feedback control loop cooperating with the PWM circuit for supplying power to the load between the lower and upper limits based upon the output voltage during normal load transient conditions. The converter may also include at least one override feedback control loop cooperating with the PWM circuit for overriding the primary feedback control loop and supplying power to the load at one of the lower and upper limits based upon the output voltage during a corresponding relatively fast load transient condition. Accordingly, relatively fast load transients can be followed by the converter.

Abstract: Insulated or coated staple and a fastening tool for driving the same into a substrate. The tool includes a housing and a driver reciprocally mounted in the housing and moveable with respect to the housing, the driver having a driving surface for engaging a fastener such as a coated staple. A magazine assembly is associated with the housing for positioning and aligning the coated fastener in the path of the driver so that when actuated, the driver strikes the fastener and forcibly ejects it from the magazine into the substrate on which the object to be fastened is to be secured. Suitable fasteners include coated staples (of various sizes and configurations), nails, brads, rivets, etc.

Abstract: A current-sensing and correction circuit having programmable temperature compensation circuitry that is incorporated into a pulse width modulation controller of a buck mode DC-DC converter. The front end of the controller contains a sense amplifier, having an input coupled via a current feedback resistor to a common output node of the converter. The impedance of a MOSFET, the current through which is sampled by a sample and hold circuit is controlled by the sense amplifier unit. A sensed current correction circuit is coupled between the sample and hold circuit and the controller, and is operative to supply to the controller a correction current having a deterministic temperature-compensating relationship to the sensed current. The ratio of correction current to sensed current equals a value of one at a predetermined temperature, and has other values at temperatures other than at that temperature.

Abstract: A programmably switched, multi-output stage current mirror-based, current-sensing and correction circuit controls the operation of a buck mode DC-DC converter. This correction circuit generates a correction current having a prescribed step-wise temperature-compensating relationship to sensed current. The sensed current is derived from a variable impedance controlled by a sense amplifier coupled via a current feedback resistor to the common output node between a high side power switching device and a low side power switching device of the converter. To program the correction circuit a decoder maps temperature information associated with the low side power switching device and additional programming information into a current mirror control code.

Abstract: A shield for a wall mounted smoke detector guard or enclosure prevents looped items from being hung on the shield and the enclosure. The shield includes a mounting surface for mounting to a wall. A downwardly sloping surface structure extends from the mounting surface for extending above the top surface of the enclosure. The downwardly sloping surface structure has sufficient slope and length for preventing items from being hung on the shield and the enclosure while at the same time providing a direct smoke flow path therepast to the top surface of the enclosure.

Abstract: The remote control assembly 10 is characterized by a terminal mechanism 34 including a tubular anchor member 36 slidably supported on a tubular fitting 22 extending from the conduit 14. The anchor member 36 is secured to the outer end 30 of a rod 26 extending form the core element 12 and is disposed in close sliding relationship about the tubular fitting 22. The terminal mechanism 34 also includes a tubular connector member 44 and a coil spring 46. The connector member 44 is in telescoping relationship with the anchor member 36 and the spring 46 biases the connector member 44 in an extending direction yet for provides lost motion between the rod 26 and the control member in response to a predetermined collapsing force. A resilient cushion 48 is disposed in the connector member 44 for cushioning collapsing movement of the connector member 44 over the anchor member 36.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit includes a plurality of pumping capacitors, a plurality of switches connected to the pumping capacitors, and a controller for generating first and second sets of switch control signals for controlling the switches so that the pumping capacitors generate either an increased or a negative output voltage. The controller includes a clock having first outputs for the first set of switch control signals, a transient clamp network having second outputs for the second set of switch control signals, and a respective level shifting capacitor connected between each first output and a corresponding second output and cooperating with the transient clamp network so that the second set of signals is level shifted from the first set.

Abstract: The remote control assembly 10 is characterized by a terminal mechanism 34 including a tubular anchor member 36 slidably supported on a tubular fitting 22 extending from the conduit 14. The anchor member 36 is secured to the outer end 30 of a rod 26 extending form the core element 12 and is disposed in close sliding relationship about the tubular fitting 22. The terminal mechanism 34 also includes a tubular connector member 44 and a coil spring 46. The connector member 44 is in telescoping relationship with the anchor member 36 and the spring 46 biases the connector member 44 in an extending direction and provides lost motion between the rod 26 and the control member in response to a predetermined collapsing force. A resilient cushion 48 is disposed in the connector member 44 for cushioning collapsing movement of the connector member 44 over the anchor member 36.

Abstract: A composite journal and thrust bearing system having a bearing housing with a journal and a thrust face lined with a high performance polymer, such as a polyimide, that is useful in applications requiring loss of lubrication protection.