Abstract: A method for forming a suspension element for an acoustic driver. The method includes placing an unimpregnated fabric formed from a monofilament polymer fiber in a mold, the monofilament fiber characterized by a softening point and a melting point; heating the mold and the unimpregnated fabric to a temperature greater than the softening point and less than the melting point; and cooling the mold.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic diaphragm, an oscillatory force source, a lever coupling the oscillatory force source to the acoustic diaphragm, and a pivot coupled to the lever such that the lever moves in an arcuate path about the pivot when the oscillatory force source applies a force to the lever. The pivot includes at least one torsion bushing. The at least one torsion bushing includes a first member, a second member coupled to the lever and movable relative to the first member, and an elastomeric member coupling the first member to the second member. Either the first member or the second member is coupled to and moves with the lever. An outer surface of the elastomeric member is coupled to the second member via mechanical compression.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic diaphragm, a lever, and an oscillatory force source for driving the lever in oscillatory, rotary motion about a pivot axis. The loudspeaker also includes a connector that couples the lever to the acoustic diaphragm. The connector includes a first rotary joint that defines a first rotary axis that is fixedly attached to the acoustic diaphragm, a second rotary joint that defines a second rotary axis that is fixedly attached to the lever, and a linkage coupling the first and second rotary joints. The connector allows for rotational and translational movement of the lever and the diaphragm relative to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a novel soluble factor that modulates morphogenesis and cell proliferation, such as cardiac development and/or cardiomyocyte differentiation. Specifically provided are: an inhibitor of Wnt signalling, comprising an insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein (IGFBP), the protein being binding to a Wnt receptor, and/or a polynucleotide encoding the protein; a medicament for prevention and/or treatment of a disease due to enhanced Wnt signalling, comprising the inhibitor of Wnt signalling, and a medicament for induction of cardiomyocyte differentiation; and a method for prevention and/or treatment of a disease due to enhanced Wnt signalling and a method of inducing cardiomyocyte differentiation, the methods each comprising using the inhibitor of Wnt signalling, and a cardiomyocyte, which is obtained by the method of inducing cardiomyocyte differentiation, and a use thereof.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a power regulator system. The system includes a switch control stage configured to generate at least one activation signal based on a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal and to control a respective at least one switch to generate an output voltage. The system also includes a feedback stage configured to generate the PWM signal based on a ramp signal and a feedback voltage that is based on the output voltage. The system further includes a ramp generator stage configured to adaptively generate the ramp signal based on the output voltage and based on the at least one activation signal.

Abstract: A geared infinitely variable transmission (GIVT) to provide a continuous output-to-input speed ratio from zero to a certain value is designed, and its working principle is illustrated. Crank-slider systems are used in the GIVT; the output-to-input speed ratio is changed with the crank length. Racks and pinions, controlled by planetary gear sets, are used to change the crank length when the cranks are rotating. One-way bearings rectify the output speeds from different crank-slider systems to obtain the output speed of the GIVT. Noncircular gears are used to minimize variations since the crank-slider systems can introduce variations of the instantaneous speed ratio. A direction control system is provided using planetary gear sets.

Abstract: An acoustic device includes a resilient surround having a proportionately unequal distribution of half roll and inverted half roll segments. Half roll segments may be sized and located to provide additional clearance for internal components. Regions of transitional concavity may be sized and located to provide increased stiffness in one or more dimensions. Transitions between inversions of concavity may be smooth and free of localized inflexions.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic diaphragm, a lever, and an oscillatory force source for driving the lever in oscillatory, rotary motion about a pivot axis. The loudspeaker also includes a connector that couples the lever to the acoustic diaphragm. The connector includes a first rotary joint that defines a first rotary axis that is fixedly attached to the acoustic diaphragm, a second rotary joint that defines a second rotary axis that is fixedly attached to the lever, and a linkage coupling the first and second rotary joints. The connector allows for rotational and translational movement of the lever and the diaphragm relative to each other.

Abstract: Systems and devices for smooth light load operation in a DC/DC converter are presented. The disclosed systems and methods enable smooth discontinuous conduction mode (DCM)/continuous conduction mode (CCM) transition. The disclosed systems and methods of smooth light load operation in a DC/DC converter may also avoid the generation of sub-harmonics during light load operation. In an example embodiment, a rising ramp is used to control the ON time of the converter oscillator, while a falling ramp controls the OFF time. During DCM operation, the minimum value of the falling ramp is clamped. The clamping of the falling ramp ensures a substantially similar level of the error amplifier output in both CCM and DCM and avoids disturbances caused by a difference in the error amplifier outputs between the modes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an active control system for a variable electromotive-force generator (VEG) for use in wind turbines, ships, hybrid vehicles, and related applications.

Abstract: Provided is a novel soluble factor that modulates morphogenesis and cell proliferation, such as cardiac development and/or cardiomyocyte differentiation. Specifically provided are: an inhibitor of Wnt signalling, comprising an insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein (IGFBP), the protein being binding to a Wnt receptor, and/or a polynucleotide encoding the protein; a medicament for prevention and/or treatment of a disease due to enhanced Wnt signalling, comprising the inhibitor of Wnt signalling, and a medicament for induction of cardiomyocyte differentiation; and a method for prevention and/or treatment of a disease due to enhanced Wnt signalling and a method of inducing cardiomyocyte differentiation, the methods each comprising using the inhibitor of Wnt signalling, and a cardiomyocyte, which is obtained by the method of inducing cardiomyocyte differentiation, and a use thereof.

Abstract: An acoustic device includes a resilient surround having a proportionately unequal distribution of half roll and inverted half roll segments. Half roll segments may be sized and located to provide additional clearance for internal components. Regions of transitional concavity may be sized and located to provide increased stiffness in one or more dimensions. Transitions between inversions of concavity may be smooth and free of localized inflexions.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a power regulator system. The system includes a switch control stage configured to generate at least one activation signal based on a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal and to control a respective at least one switch to generate an output voltage. The system also includes a feedback stage configured to generate the PWM signal based on a ramp signal and a feedback voltage that is based on the output voltage. The system further includes a ramp generator stage configured to adaptively generate the ramp signal based on the output voltage and based on the at least one activation signal.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) to provide a continuous output-to-input speed ratio from zero to a certain value is designed, and its working principle is illustrated. It is a geared IVT (GIVT), since its function to achieve the continuously varied speed ratio is implemented by gears. Crank-slider systems are used in the GIVT; the output-to-input speed ratio is changed with the crank length. Racks and pinions, whose motion is controlled by planetary gear sets, are used to change the crank length when the cranks are rotating. One-way bearings are used to rectify the output speeds from different crank-slider systems to obtain the output speed of the GIVT. Since the crank-slider systems can introduce variations of the instantaneous speed ratio, a pair of noncircular gears is designed to minimize the variations. A direction control system is also designed for the GIVT using planetary gear sets.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting structural damage is provided that utilizes a general order perturbation methodology involving multiple perturbation parameters. The perturbation methodology is used iteratively in conjunction with an optimization method to identify the stiffness parameters of structures using natural frequencies and/or mode shape information. The stiffness parameters are then used to determine the location and extent of damage in a structure. A novel stochastic model is developed to model the random impact series produced manually or to generate a random impact series in a random impact device. The random impact series method or the random impact device can be used to excite a structure and generate vibration information used to obtain the stiffness parameters of the structure. The method or the device can also just be used for modal testing purposes. The random impact device is a high energy, random, and high signal-to-noise ratio system.

Abstract: A method for forming a suspension element for an acoustic driver. The method includes placing an unimpregnated fabric formed from a monofilament polymer fiber in a mold, the monofilament fiber characterized by a softening point and a melting point; heating the mold and the unimpregnated fabric to a temperature greater than the softening point and less than the melting point; and cooling the mold.

Abstract: Systems and devices for ripple reduction in a DC/DC converter are presented. The disclosed systems and methods enable ripple reduction in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) operation. In DCM, the inductor current peak to peak ripple may be reduced based on the load current. To achieve the reduction of the inductor peak to peak current ripple, a digital counter is used to count the time between consecutive PWM pulses. The digital output of the counter is used to control the pulse width modulation. As the digital output of the counter increases, the PWM on-time decreases. Since the PWM pulse is demanded by the load in DCM mode, the peak to peak inductor ripple is modulated by the counter, or, in turn, modulated by the load current.

Abstract: Systems and devices for smooth light load operation in a DC/DC converter are presented. The disclosed systems and methods enable smooth discontinuous conduction mode (DCM)/continuous conduction mode (CCM) transition. The disclosed systems and methods of smooth light load operation in a DC/DC converter may also avoid the generation of sub-harmonics during light load operation. In an example embodiment, a rising ramp is used to control the ON time of the converter oscillator, while a falling ramp controls the OFF time. During DCM operation, the minimum value of the falling ramp is clamped. The clamping of the falling ramp ensures a substantially similar level of the error amplifier output in both CCM and DCM and avoids disturbances caused by a difference in the error amplifier outputs between the modes.

Abstract: Systems and devices for ripple reduction in a DC/DC converter are presented. The disclosed systems and methods enable ripple reduction in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) operation. In DCM, the inductor current peak to peak ripple may be reduced based on the load current. To achieve the reduction of the inductor peak to peak current ripple, a digital counter is used to count the time between consecutive PWM pulses. The digital output of the counter is used to control the pulse width modulation. As the digital output of the counter increases, the PWM on-time decreases. Since the PWM pulse is demanded by the load in DCM mode, the peak to peak inductor ripple is modulated by the counter, or, in turn, modulated by the load current.

Abstract: Provided is a novel soluble factor that modulates morphogenesis and cell proliferation, such as cardiac development and/or cardiomyocyte differentiation. Specifically provided are: an inhibitor of Wnt signalling, comprising an insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein (IGFBP), the protein being binding to a Wnt receptor, and/or a polynucleotide encoding the protein; a medicament for prevention and/or treatment of a disease due to enhanced Wnt signalling, comprising the inhibitor of Wnt signalling, and a medicament for induction of cardiomyocyte differentiation; and a method for prevention and/or treatment of a disease due to enhanced Wnt signalling and a method of inducing cardiomyocyte differentiation, the methods each comprising using the inhibitor of Wnt signalling, and a cardiomyocyte, which is obtained by the method of inducing cardiomyocyte differentiation, and a use thereof.