Abstract: A method and system for using a secondary energy source with an electric or hybrid vehicle in a way that requires no interaction with the vehicle's on-board communications system or the vehicle's processors. The secondary energy source, which can be a battery pack or any energy storage device, can generally be charged at home or business using the 110 volt line. The energy from the secondary source can be metered into the system in a way that allows the primary battery state-of-charge to fluctuate normally. Most of the electrical energy propelling the vehicle can come from the secondary source. All of the regenerative energy from braking can go into the primary battery. A controller can control a regulator to regulate the amount of current flowing from the secondary source.

Abstract: A family of anchor devices that include a back plate mounted behind a mounting surface with a flange mounted in front of the mounting surface and generally a ring or hook carrier member that engages an anchor ring or a hook. In several embodiments the carrier can rotate without axles pins or the like allowing the load to align the device in a direction of maximum convenience and strength. A first embodiment provides a rotating ring in a recessed retaining cup that provides for maximum flexibility. A second embodiment provides a rotating ring in a clip carrier in a raised mounting flange. A third embodiment provides a swivel insert hook carrier that can rotate. A fourth embodiment includes a ring that engages a notch in a raised carrier. Fifth and sixth embodiments provide attachments for one or multiple hooks in a fixed-mounted, non-rotating flange.

Abstract: A method and system of decoration that includes selecting a particular wall covering pattern, selecting a particular fixture, and continuing the wall covering pattern substantially over the surface of the fixture. The fixture can be an electrical fixture such as a receptacle and/or receptacle cover or switch and/or switch cover or any other type of plate or receptacle. The final arrangement is such that the pattern on the fixture or receptacle almost perfectly matches the wall pattern causing the fixture to become almost invisible.

Abstract: A constructive disposition introduced in air conditioning placed in the technological sector of air conditioning in general, that optimizes mist production as well as providing direction and non-atomized liquid flow generating a more effective and uniform mist in the gravitational area besides ensuring more security in its use avoiding accidents to users when near the equipment.

Abstract: A boxable drywall corner trim that can include an elongated semi-rigid member that forms a pair of flanges joined at a grooved hinge along a centerline. Each of the flanges can have a thinner part and a thicker part joined at a step that is approximately parallel to the centerline a predetermined distance from the centerline. The thicker part of the flanges can form a protruding nose member that makes the piece boxable by preventing the cross-over of wet drywall mastic or mud from one flange to the other. The thinner portion of the flange may optionally be perforated with a pattern of punched holes of any configuration throughout the flange assembly. The piece can have a wall-facing paper or other fibrous layer of material that has a tacky adhesive on its wall-facing side. The adhesive can be in a pattern of dots, ridges, lines or any other pattern, or the adhesive can be continuously coated on the surface.

Abstract: A light bulb loudspeaker and sound system where a wireless or wire receiver, amplifier and power supply can be mounted inside of the boundary defined by a light bulb and base where the glass bulb can be used as a sound radiating diaphragm, or alternatively, the bulb can be made to move as a plunger and this act as a sound diaphragm. A transducer can convert audio from the amplifier into sound and thereby excite the glass bulb or cause it to move. A baffle can optionally be provided in the form of a lamp shade or otherwise. Different channels can provide different audio signals to different light bulb loudspeakers in the same physical area, or an electrical signal could be multiplexed. A small base station unit can transmit radio or wire signals containing audio information from an audio source such as a stereo. The filament can optionally be used as a radio receiving antenna.

Abstract: A polymer that contains an antimicrobial, bioresistant and fungal resistant moiety that is linked into the backbone of the polymer. The moiety is a bromine atom and a nitro group linked to one or more of the carbon atoms forming the backbone. The moiety can appear in the polymer chain in various levels of occurrence from 5 ppm to has high as 100% with a normal occurrence of between 1000 ppm to 20,000 ppm. Polymer types that can be created with this moiety to display these properties include, but are not limited to, polyurethane, polyurea, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polyether, polysiloxane, epoxy, polyacrylic, polyacrylate, polyvinyl.

Abstract: A drywall tape or corner material dispenser that allows dispensing of the material directly from the box it is supplied in. The invention can contain a pair of parallel arms that grip the box and a strap that runs between the ends of the straps to close around the box. The strap can be fabric or other material and can be attached using hook/loop material like VELCRO. A handle on the other end of the arms can be used to grip the device and feed the material. The handle can have spring members top and bottom to further grip the box.

Abstract: Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability.

Abstract: A card carrier and presentation device that can assume a flat 2-dimensional configuration and be deformed into a 3-dimensional configuration. The flat configuration is used to carrier the card on a rack for vending. When the card and device is purchased, the card can be removed and inserted into the device after it is deformed into the 3-dimensional configuration. The card can become part of the 3-dimensional structure. The device can be transparent and have optional artwork on a surface that can optically interact with artwork on the card when the device is in the 3-dimensional configuration to create a combined visual effect.

Abstract: A hybrid wet electrostatic precipitator for collecting sub-micron and nano-particulate material. The collector can be made up of three concentric tubes or pipes with an internally formed gas path communicating between an inlet and an outlet. A first collector and discharging zone can be provided in the gas path to create a corona discharge to charge particles and to collect particulate. A second collector can be formed by a porous wall which can act as a filtration device. A third collector can be formed by two or more of the concentric circular tubes, one porous and one solid, with a zone of uniform electric field between them. The porous tube can be either the inner tube or the middle tube. A liquid pool can be placed between the first and third collectors to provide chemical treatment of the gas flow or simply filtration as the gas passes through. A high-tension voltage supply can be used to supply a discharge voltage capable of generating a corona discharge into the flow in the first zone.

Abstract: A hip replacement apparatus that normally includes a supporting rod bent into an acute angle at its center with a rounded head on one end. This supporting rod can be received at the pelvis into a pre-assembled housing with a backplate and front plate where the unit can be cemented and/or screwed into the prepared bone at the hip joint. The backplate can have an anchoring protrusion that mates into the trimmed-out bone at the joint. The front plate can have a center hole that receives, and holds the rounded head of the supporting rod from escaping. The head (and hence the supporting rod) freely rotates captively in the housing with the housing firmly attached to the pelvis. The bottom end of the supporting rod can penetrate into the center of the cut-off femur and can be cemented into the bone. The supporting rod can be held to the femur with a bone clamp apparatus including a side plate that can be banded firmly to the femur with one or a more bands.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring an asset, or assets, from a first depreciation book to a second depreciation book possibly in different currencies. In particular a method for automatically transferring an asset from a first depreciation book to a second depreciation book with the steps of: gathering asset information from the first depreciation book including original currency for the asset; gathering details of transfer including new currency for the asset and date of transfer; determining the financial treatment of the asset; determining a translation rate between the original currency and said new currency based on the date of transfer; computing financial parameters for the asset in the new currency; retiring the asset from the old depreciation book and creating the asset in the new depreciation book; creating journal entries for the transfer. All of these steps are generally performed while maintaining an audit trail of the transfer.

Abstract: A compact, hybrid particulate and gas collector that can be used in a vehicle emissions control system, gas turbine, or in any other application where space and lower cost is important or in applications where sub-micron and nano-particulate filtering is needed. A gas flow enters the device in a first chamber and can be immediately exposed to a high-tension corona discharge electric field which typically results in a strong ionic flow by charging and collecting the incoming effluent (oil mist, soot particles, etc.). Subsequently, the charged flow enters a second zone of high-tension uniform electric field that causes the remaining charged particles to migrate to one of the charged electrodes. One of the electrodes can be made of porous filter material that allows the cleaned gas to flow into an exit zone also containing a high-tension uniform electric field where the remaining effluent can be collected prior to the clean gas exiting either to ambient air or being re-circulated to be used again by the engine.

Abstract: A compact, hybrid particulate and gas collector that can be used in an ultra-clean air purification, vehicle emissions control system, gas turbine, or in any other application where space and lower cost is important or in applications where sub-micron and nano-particulate filtering is needed such as in clean rooms and surgical suites. A gas flow enters the device in a first chamber and can be immediately exposed to a high-tension corona discharge electric field which typically results in a strong ionic flow by charging and collecting the incoming effluent (oil mist, soot particles, etc.). Subsequently, the charged flow enters a second zone of high-tension uniform electric field that causes the remaining charged particles to migrate to one of the charged electrodes.

Abstract: A multi-stage collector for multi-pollutant control that contains alternating narrow and wide sections with glow discharge electrodes in some narrow sections, a uniform electric field in wide sections for collecting particles charged by the glow discharge and streamer discharge electrodes in wide or narrow sections that convert and destroy harmful gaseous pollutants such as SO2, NOx and volatile organic compounds as well as convert heavy metals such as mercury into a particulate form. Steady state streamer discharge is supported by non-pulsed power supply. The streaming discharge can convert the polluting gases into nitric and sulfuric acid which can be removed by combining it with ammonia to form solid salts.

Abstract: A handheld personal unit that can estimate a user's position in 3-dimensional space by determining a horizontal position and an altitude. GPS or assisted GPS can be used to determine the horizontal position, while barometric pressure assisted altimetry can be used to determine altitude accurately enough to localize the user to a particular floor of a particular building, and many times to a particular room. An artificial intelligence system can access one or more databases to provide data to the user that is related to the user's position in 3-dimensional space. This data can come from a database either stored in the handheld device or stored at a separate remote location. If a remote location is used to provide data and current barometric pressure (and possibly GPS assist), this station can access other remote stations, as needed, to supply the information. The handheld unit and/or the remote station can optionally access the internet to seek information related to the user's location in 3-dimensional space.