Abstract: Methods and apparatus for static charge neutralization in variable pressure environments are disclosed. In particular, barrier discharge ionization apparatus may include a hollow dielectric channel disposed within a variable pressure environment and may have at least one open end, a reference emitter disposed on the outer surface of the channel, and a high voltage electrode disposed within the channel. The high voltage electrode may present a high intensity electric field to the reference emitter through the dielectric channel in response to the provision of a variable-waveform signal dictated by conditions in the variable pressure environment. This results in the generation of a plasma region with electrically balanced charge carriers within the variable pressure environment due to barrier discharge occurring at the interface of the reference emitter and the outer surface of the dielectric channel. The disclosed apparatus are compatible with either radio frequency or micro-pulse voltage power supplies.

Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is described. The motor controller is coupled to a power line communication connection and includes a communication device coupled to a memory device. The motor controller is configured to receive, using the communication device, a status query from a server computing device via the power line communication connection. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit electric motor diagnostic data from the memory device to the server computing device via the power line communication connection. The motor controller is further configured to receive motor configuration data from a client computing device wirelessly coupled to the motor controller. The motor configuration data is for controlling the electric motor. The motor controller is also configured to operate the electric motor in accordance with the motor configuration data.

Abstract: Ionizing bars for delivering charged carriers to charge neutralization target objects may include an ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud of charge carriers in response to application of an ionizing voltage. Disclosed bars may also include a reference electrode that presents a non-ionizing electric field to urge ions to move away from the ion emitter. The disclosed bars may also include a manifold. The manifold may receive and divide gas into plural gas streams directed past the ion emitter in a pattern to thereby urge charge carriers toward the target. The manifold may have plural apertures with nozzled inserts received therein. At least some of the inserts may have at least one aperture through which gas may flow and the nozzle inserts may collectively direct the divided gas streams away from the manifold and toward the target in one or more predetermined patterns.

Abstract: Ionizing bars for delivering charged carriers to charge neutralization target objects may include an ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud of charge carriers in response to application of an ionizing voltage. Disclosed bars may also include a reference electrode that presents a non-ionizing electric field to urge ions to move away from the ion emitter. The disclosed bars may also include a manifold. The manifold may receive and divide gas into plural gas streams directed past the ion emitter in a pattern to thereby urge charge carriers toward the target. The manifold may have plural apertures with nozzled inserts received therein. At least some of the inserts may have at least one aperture through which gas may flow and the nozzle inserts may collectively direct the divided gas streams away from the manifold and toward the target in one or more predetermined patterns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for static charge neutralization in variable pressure environments are disclosed. In particular, barrier discharge ionization apparatus may include a hollow dielectric channel disposed within a variable pressure environment and may have at least one open end, a reference emitter disposed on the outer surface of the channel, and a high voltage electrode disposed within the channel. The high voltage electrode may present a high intensity electric field to the reference emitter through the dielectric channel in response to the provision of a variable-waveform signal dictated by conditions in the variable pressure environment. This results in the generation of a plasma region with electrically balanced charge carriers within the variable pressure environment due to barrier discharge occurring at the interface of the reference emitter and the outer surface of the dielectric channel. The disclosed apparatus are compatible with either radio frequency or micro-pulse voltage power supplies.

Abstract: A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars may include at least one reference electrode. Third, disclosed bars may include a manifold for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud. Fourth, disclosed bars may include means for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) to thereby establish the ion cloud. In this way, disclosed ionizing bars may transport ions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter.

Abstract: A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars may include at least one reference electrode. Third, disclosed bars may include a manifold for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud. Fourth, disclosed bars may include means for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) to thereby establish the ion cloud. In this way, disclosed ionizing bars may transport ions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter.

Abstract: A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars may include at least one reference electrode. Third, disclosed bars may include a manifold for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud. Fourth, disclosed bars may include means for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) to thereby establish the ion cloud. In this way, disclosed ionizing bars may transportions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter.

Abstract: A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars may include at least one reference electrode. Third, disclosed bars may include a manifold for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud. Fourth, disclosed bars may include means for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) to thereby establish the ion cloud. In this way, disclosed ionizing bars may transport ions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter.

Abstract: An in-flight refueling method may include deploying a fueling hose from a refueling aircraft. The fueling hose may have a drogue. The deployment of the fueling hose may include extending the drogue using a telescoping arm having a ring. The deployment of the fueling hose may also include passing the fueling hose through the ring to deploy the fueling hose. The in-flight refueling method may further include retrieving the fueling hose by drawing the drogue into a wire pitch mounted on the ring and collapsing the drogue in response to drawing the drogue into the wire pitch.

Abstract: An in-flight refueling method may include deploying a fueling hose from a refueling aircraft. The fueling hose may have a drogue. The deployment of the fueling hose may include extending the drogue using a telescoping arm having a ring. The deployment of the fueling hose may also include passing the fueling hose through the ring to deploy the fueling hose. The in-flight refueling method may further include retrieving the fueling hose by drawing the drogue into a wire pitch mounted on the ring and collapsing the drogue in response to drawing the drogue into the wire pitch.

Abstract: An in-flight refueling device includes an arm, ring and actuator. The arm has a proximate end and a distal end. The ring is secured to the distal end and is configured to releasably secure a drogue for a refueling hose. The actuator is secured to the proximate end and is configured to extend the arm a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A format for accessing content such as a full-length move from an optical disc uses an XML description file stored on the disc to generate one or more screens that a user employs to access the content. The decoding requirements of a hardware or software player are reduced by discarding specific elements of an encoding standard such as MPEG4 that is used to encode the content on the disc. The maximum average and peak bitrates at which the data is transferred are limited to further reduce the demands on the player.

Abstract: An in-flight refueling device includes an arm, ring and actuator. The arm has a proximate end and a distal end. The ring is secured to the distal end and is configured to releasably secure a drogue for a refueling hose. The actuator is secured to the proximate end and is configured to extend the arm a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A format for accessing content such as a full-length movie from an optical disc uses an XML Description File stored on the disc to generate one or more screens that a user employs to access the content. To increase the efficiency of accessing data, data files that describe the content of the disc are located near the beginning of the video zone whereas larger data files, such as presentation files, are located at the end of the video zone. To reduce the possibility of incompatibilities between commands, a limited set of application program interface (API) commands is defined for use in an XML Description File. To maximize the vertical data recorded on the disc when the source aspect ratio is high, two, independent horizontal and vertical distortion factors are used. The audio and video tracks are interleaved into 1000 millisecond blocks and are demultiplexed by the application player during playback.

Abstract: A format for accessing content such as a full-length move from an optical disc uses an XML description file stored on the disc to generate one or more screens that a user employs to access the content. The decoding requirements of a hardware or software player are reduced by discarding specific elements of an encoding standard such as MPEG4 that is used to encode the content on the disc. The maximum average and peak bitrates at which the data is transferred are limited to further reduce the demands on the player.

Abstract: A filter for an extracorporeal blood circuit including: a bundle of hollow fibers having an end section encased in a potting material, wherein the end section further comprises a stem of fibers and potting material and an annular disk of the potting material extending radially outward from the stem, wherein the annular disk of the potting material is substantially wider than the stem, the stem protrudes from the disk and the stem includes a side surface extending along a length of the stem; an end surface of the stem substantially perpendicular to the length of the stem and including open ends of the fibers distributed throughout the end surface including open ends proximate to a perimeter of the end surface; a filter housing through which extends the bundle, the filter housing comprising a tubular section and a first end section and a second end section at opposite ends of the tubular section, wherein the annular disk is seated in the first end section and the stem is narrower than the tubular section along

Abstract: An integrated disposable cartridge for dialysis or ultrafiltration treatment of blood includes integral pressure sensors. Sensors are embedded in the blood filter on the cartridge to measure the pressure of blood or other fluids in the filter.

Abstract: A filter for an extracorporeal blood circuit including: a bundle of hollow fibers having an end section encased in a potting material, wherein the end section further comprises a stem of fibers and potting material and an annular disk of the potting material extending radially outward from the stem, wherein the annular disk of the potting material is substantially wider than the stem, the stem protrudes from the disk and the stem includes a side surface extending along a length of the stem; an end surface of the stem substantially perpendicular to the length of the stem and including open ends of the fibers distributed throughout the end surface including open ends proximate to a perimeter of the end surface; a filter housing through which extends the bundle, the filter housing comprising a tubular section and a first end section and a second end section at opposite ends of the tubular section, wherein the annular disk is seated in the first end section and the stem is narrower than the tubular section along

Abstract: A filter for an extracorporeal blood circuit including a bundle of hollow fibers having an end section encased in a potting material, wherein the end section of potting material has an end surface with open ends of the fibers distributed throughout the end surface, and a filter header cap having an inlet connectable to a blood line and an open end sealed around a side surface of the end section of the bundle of hollow fibers.