Abstract: Methods and apparatus for protecting data. Backup copies of data are created in real time and restoration of this backup data is enabled. For example, backup repositories of files stored in a primary storage device of a computer system may be created by examining information concerning the files to determine critical fields therein, and storage of the critical fields to a critical storage device and of non-critical fields and tags that are substituted for the critical fields to a context storage device effected. Following compromise of the files stored in the primary storage device, accesses by applications may be directed to the context storage device, e.g., as a means of rapid failover, and/or for each file stored in the context storage device, record-by-record copying of such files to the primary storage device may be effected to restore the contents of the primary storage device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for protecting data. Backup copies of data are created in real time and restoration of this backup data is enabled. For example, backup repositories of files stored in a primary storage device of a computer system may be created by examining information concerning the files to determine critical fields therein, and storage of the critical fields to a critical storage device and of non-critical fields and tags that are substituted for the critical fields to a context storage device effected. Following compromise of the files stored in the primary storage device, accesses by applications may be directed to the context storage device, e.g., as a means of rapid failover, and/or for each file stored in the context storage device, record-by-record copying of such files to the primary storage device may be effected to restore the contents of the primary storage device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for protecting data. Backup copies of data are created in real time and rapid restoration of this backup data is enabled. For example, backup repositories of files stored in a primary storage device of a computer system may be created by examining information concerning the files to determine critical fields therein, and storage of the critical fields to a critical storage device and of non-critical fields and tags that are substituted for the critical fields to a context storage device effected. Following compromise of the files stored in the primary storage device, accesses by applications may be directed to the context storage device, e.g., as a means of rapid failover, and/or for each file stored in the context storage device, record-by-record copying of such files to the primary storage device may be effected to restore the contents of the primary storage device.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for formatting stitched panoramic frames for transmission to a remote image processing system, the method comprising. A control circuit of a panoramic camera may receive first and second frames captured by first and second image sensors having partially overlapping fields-of-view. The control circuit may identify a first overlap region of the first frame and a second overlap region of the second frame. The first and second overlap region may comprise pixel values from portions of the fields-of-view of the image sensors that overlap. The control circuit may generate a panoramic frame from based at least in part on the first and second frames. The control circuit may generate a transmission frame comprising the panoramic frame, the first overlap region and the second overlap region.

Abstract: A recommender system for use on a mobile platform or other computing device provides a user with a recommended list of products with default product quantities that are based on prior purchase behavior of the user or customer. This feature relies on analyzing a customer's past purchases and associating a score with each product. The scoring system indicates the statistical likelihood that the customer would want or need to purchase that item on their next order. The customer analysis takes into account, e.g., the number of times a customer has ordered a product, how frequently the product is ordered by the customer, how many days since the respective customers last order and the customers average order size in providing the recommended list of products.

Abstract: The gas-fired heater, especially a water heater, has an atmospheric gas burner (5) arranged within a nearly or completely closed combustion chamber (2) and associated with a premixing gas/air supply system (8) with a fuel gas feed nozzle (10). In order to avoid oscillations, which lead to sound waves and combustion instabilities, an oscillation-damping air supply chamber (11, 11?, 11?) is connected to the entrance (8a) of the gas/air supply system (8) for combustion air, within which the fuel gas feed nozzle is arranged. The air supply chamber (11, 11?, 11?) is provided with at least one air entrance (12, 12?, 12?). The air supply chamber can be box-like, duct-like embracing or extending around the combustion chamber or it can be a pipe with different diameter pipe sections.

Abstract: A method for fabricating membrane electrode assembly includes providing an anode side diffusion layer structure and a cathode side diffusion layer structure with a layer of membrane electrolyte therebetween. The diffusion layer structures include diffusion segments, which are coupled to each other by a first engaging member having one or more portions configured for engagement with a feed or aligning mechanism. Also, one or more of the segments of the diffusion layer structures may be connected to other segments or the first engaging member by one or more bridges. Bridges of each diffusion layer structure may be offset to avoid electrical contact with each other in response to diffusion layer structures being assembled with each other and with the layer of membrane electrolyte.

Abstract: A sealed fuel cell is provided which has been manufactured with a lead frame assembly encompassing a first and second current collector adapted to serve as lead frame components in an associated mold device. Fuel cell components include a catalyzed protonically conductive, electronically non-conductive membrane that has first and second diffusion layers disposed on opposite sides thereof. The fuel cell components are arranged between the first and second current collectors, and the entire assembly is placed into an insert molding device. A moldable material is introduced into the insert molding device and is allowed to cure in order to seal the edges of the lead frame assembly against leaks to thereby form a sealed fuel cell.

Abstract: An adjustable fuel delivery regulation assembly is provided which can be disposed within a direct oxidation fuel cell system, or the fuel reservoir or fuel tank that supplies such a system. One embodiment of the fuel delivery regulation assembly is a shutter assembly, which includes two correspondingly perforated components. The two components can be positioned relative to one another such that the apertures in each component are aligned in certain ways. In an open position, the apertures are substantially fully aligned to permit full fuel flow. In a closed position, the apertures are offset such that there is no opening; thereby fuel flow is restricted. Intermediate positions allow adjustments in the amount of fuel flow proportional to the size of the openings. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a set of rotatably mounted slotted rods is inserted into a housing through which fuel can flow through openings in the housing.

Abstract: An integrated heat management assembly that is thermally coupled to a component requiring temperature control is provided. The integrated heat management assembly in one embodiment of the invention is a heat switch which includes two opposed surfaces, a first surface being a hot contact which is coupled to the component, and the second surface being a cold contact which is coupled to a heat sink. An actuator which may be a phase changing material, is mechanically coupled to one of the two surfaces such that when the component reaches a threshold temperature, the actuator is triggered to bring the two surfaces into contact. In this manner, the hot surface conducts heat to the cold surface which then delivers heat to the heat sink to thereby lower the temperature of the component. Other embodiments include heat pipes associated with the heat switch in order to further dissipate heat or to divert it to other areas of the component requiring temperature control.

Abstract: A method for fabricating membrane electrode assembly includes providing an anode side diffusion layer structure and a cathode side diffusion layer structure with a layer of membrane electrolyte therebetween. The diffusion layer structures include diffusion segments, which are coupled to each other by a first engaging member having one or more portions configured for engagement with a feed or aligning mechanism. Also, one or more of the segments of the diffusion layer structures may be connected to other segments or the first engaging member by one or more bridges. Bridges of each diffusion layer structure may be offset to avoid electrical contact with each other in response to diffusion layer structures being assembled with each other and with the layer of membrane electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for manufacturing a fuel cell and an associated fuel cell array that includes novel pre-shaped current collectors and conforming compression plates. The current collectors are pre-shaped to counteract any deflection of the fuel cell after compression is released during manufacture. The pre-shaped current collectors may bend outwards by the same amount as previously, however, the overall compression relaxation may be much lower because the pre-shaped current collectors are bending back into the flat position, as opposed to away from it. Also provided with the present invention are associated mold plates that induce the desired pre-shaping to the current collectors.

Abstract: A conformable fuel cell is provided which includes a basic structure that provides flexibility while providing a high compression along the active surface of the fuel cell's membrane electrode assembly, which can be achieved by an injection-molded frame. A suitable fuel is delivered to the anode aspect of the fuel cell. Effective water management could also be provided by appropriate diffusion layers. The fuel cell can be contour-molded to a desired shape, or can be constructed of an array of flexibly connected individual fuel cells that overall have a curvilinear shape, or can be constructed as a pliable fuel cell that can be incorporated into an application device or an article of clothing.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including an anode chamber having a fuel mixture comprising methanol and water, and a diffusion layer, a fuel source in fluid communication with the anode chamber via a conduit, a cathode chamber having a cathode and a diffusion layer, wherein the diffusion layer is in fluid communication with an oxidizer, and a proton conducting, electrical non-conducting membrane electrolyte separating the chambers and positioned substantially adjacent to said diffusion layers. The membrane includes a catalyst exposed to each of the chambers for initiating chemical reactions to produce electricity. The system also includes a first valve for automatically controlling a flow of fuel from the fuel supply cartridge, where the first valve includes a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: The gas-fired heater, especially a water heater, has an atmospheric gas burner (5) arranged within a nearly or completely closed combustion chamber (2) and associated with a premixing gas/air supply system (8) with a fuel gas feed nozzle (10). In order to avoid oscillations, which lead to sound waves and combustion instabilities, an oscillation-damping air supply chamber (11, 11?, 11?) is connected to the entrance (8a) of the gas/air supply system (8) for combustion air, within which the fuel gas feed nozzle is arranged. The air supply chamber (11, 11?, 11?) is provided with at least one air entrance (12, 12?, 12?). The air supply chamber can be box-like, duct-like embracing or extending around the combustion chamber or it can be a pipe with different diameter pipe sections.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a methanol vapor delivery component or film is provided. The component includes an evaporation pad. The evaporation pad is disposed within the fuel cell generally parallel to the anode diffusion layer, but with a vapor gap provided between the evaporation pad and the anode diffusion layer. A fuel delivery conduit having at least one injection port is provided through which liquid fuel is delivered from an associated source of highly concentrated fuel into the evaporation pad, at a controlled, adjustable rate. Multiple parallel liquid delivery points can also be provided. In order to ensure uniform delivery of fuel across the across the active area of the anode, one or more dispersion members are placed on the evaporation pad to effectively disperse the fuel laterally around each injection port.

Abstract: A process for fabrication and molding of a fuel cell, or an array of fuel cells is provided. The inventive process, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, includes diffusion layers being hot-press bonded onto current collectors. A catalyzed membrane is sandwiched between two current collectors integrated into the lead frames designed for use in a molding process. A raised surface on each current collector provides a means for shut off of the mold plates. A suitable moldable material is introduced into a mold cavity to form a frame around the current collectors, which provides a tight and secure seal, eliminating the need for gasketing, and which further also provides compression thus further eliminating screws, nuts and other fasteners.

Abstract: A modular DMFC array, and a related method of manufacturing such an array is provided. The modular DMFC array incorporates separately manufactured individual fuel cells that are connected after the manufacturing process. A locking mechanism incorporates the necessary electric connections. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connections also function as the locking mechanism. In such an embodiment, a separate mechanical fastening mechanism is not needed. In other embodiments of the invention, mechanical connections are provided to connect the individual fuel cells in the modular fuel cell array. Yet a further embodiment includes a carrier component on which the individual fuel cells are bonded. The electrical connections are provided either through the carrier component, or cell-to-cell.

Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed. The golf club head includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member includes a strike face and a top portion. The second body member is coupled to the first body member and extends away from the first body member in a direction opposite the strike face. At least a top portion of the second body member is camouflaged. A preferred method of camouflage is color differentiation, wherein the second body member is darker than the first body member. Specific color values and club head geometries are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A four-stroke internal combustion engine is provided that is capable of use in many power tools, including those power tools subjected to tippable applications. There is provided within an engine housing, an oil reservoir and a valve chamber which independently communicate with a crank chamber. A system of strategically placed dividers and passageways within the engine housing appropriately directs lubricant within the engine housing so that the internal cavity of the engine is lubricated during use in any operational attitude, and so that the lubricant flows to and is held in the proper chambers during storage. There is also provided a breather arrangement for an internal combustion engine which includes a camshaft having a hollow passageway in communication with a crank chamber.